Struggling with Nissen Fundoplication

 Hi,im 6 months post nissen with lots of problems along the way,ten weeks in surgeon had to go back in and undo a tight hiatal repair and told me id be ok after that.i have been really ill since that and then i had a dilation of the wrap because surgeon thought i had dyshagia.I now feel my eating is back to normal with nothing getting stuck but i feel reflux after eating,nausea after food,liquid coming up my throat,tickly cough infact all the reflux symtoms i had before the surgery.This surgery has been a complete disaster for me and i have to say that would not recommend anyone to have it done.Theres just too many complications with it.Sorry! Barry

Hang in there guys and best wishes. I have to admit this is why I won't get the surgery, I just can't risk trading one problem for another. It just seems to be to much of a flip of a coin on the success. Hope you both improve.

Hi Barry,

I certainly understand your feelings, and I'm sorry to hear you're still struggling (You, too, timespace).  Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons (surgical competence, individual quirks, etc.) a small number of Nissen patients have a lot of problems.  I wish you weren't one of them.

One hopeful thought comes to mind, though.  Within 6 months you've had two surgeries and a dilation.  That's a lot of assault on your upper GI tract.  There's a possibility that with additional time things will calm down.  I would suspect there could be swelling, and your body hasn't ever had a chance to adjust to the changes that were made.

You're at 6 months, and that's the promised date of majority healing, but you had additional assaults to your GI tract during that time, so the healing window is extended.  If you're having discomfort you might want to try a PPI to see if it helps, if you're not already doing that.

Did you have a manometry?  You're in the UK, right?  In that system is there a possibility of getting another opinion?  With dysphasia, some find a Toupet wrap (partial) is more effective.  Not that you're anxious to go back under the knife.  Still, if things continue to be a problem, you'll need to seek out other options.

While most people find great relief after a Nissen surgery, there is a small percentage who have serious issues.  When seeking out information online, it can seem as if the failure rate is much higher than it is, as most don't post their experience online unless they're having problems.  The majority of Nissen patients have the surgery and go on their way without ever posting on a single forum.

I actually was surprised when searching out research abstracts regarding Nissen success rate, and finding it was in the mid 90% range.  Having done a lot of searches online, it seemed much, much lower than that, as I read of so many terrible results during my search for answers.  I actually waited far too long to have my surgery because of that, and have long-term health issues as a result.

I wish there was some magic answer I could give you that would solve your problems.

I hope with all my heart that you find relief soon.

Hang in there,

Denise

Hi

I too have had alot of problems. I had a 270 degree wrap in 2011 which failed to control my symptoms then came undone. I had a redo 180 degree this year which once again failed to control things! My life has changed as I am ill alot of the time so can't do daily activities alot of the time. I'm waiting to see consultant again. I have been in touch with a professor and he has suggested the possubility of a gastrectomy with roux en y reconstruction which seems to get good results in my situation. I know this is a big op but the more times you get a fund the more likely it is to fail and for you to get problems. I really want this to be sorted! I too am on max medication, 160mg omeprazole 600mg ranitidine and 60mg domperidone daily and still problems. This really is a difficult problem to live with and to fix. Where bouts in uk are you? X

I had ph and manometry after both my fundoplications to see to what extent they have or haven't worked. I would say you defo need to get them repeated. With the results you can then decide what to do next. Also think about increasing your meds. I know if I drop even by 20 to 40mg of omeprazole I get really bad symptoms. It could be your not on high enough dose. What are you taking exactly? May also be worth seeing gastroenterologist again to get their opinion. X

Hi plpandcrp1, sorry about freakin you out with my post but its whats happening with me,im just telling the truth.not all surgery is successful and you have to be aware of that.Wether its down to the surgeon or its just me i honestly dont know.I was in the same position as yourself asking for the surgery because i was so bad with reflux and there was nothing anyone could have said to change my mind.The statistics show that when done properly and you are an ideal candidate that it will improve your symtoms,so get all the tests done,make sure your surgeon knows what hes doing and make sure all your questions are answered. Barry

Hi plpandcrp1, hope everything goes well for you,and you get this sorted! Barry