Surgery for LPR

Hey Sassy,

I had it two weeks ago for symptoms from both LPR and GERD. I have to say it's only been two weeks, but I already feel 75% better. I have some normal aches and pains from the incisions, and I feel full after eating a meal, but these are both normal symptoms according to my doctor.

If you are strongly considering the surgery make sure you go through the entire battery of tests to make sure you are a good candidate. This can't be stressed enough.

For me, my esophageal manometry test showed that my LES wasn't functioning properly, and the barium swallow showed my reflux coming all the way up to my upper esophagus.

What LPR symptoms do you suffer from? If the main one is that 'lump in the throat' sensation, that went away for me the day after surgery, which was incredibly liberating to me.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

What scares me is my GI doc said my throat symptoms will only get about 1/3 better from this surgery. I guess its better than I feel now. Has anyone had all LPR symptoms cured from Nissen wrap? Thanks for your feedback.

Sassy,

You sound exactly like me to the tee. The cough, the excess saliva, the burning in throat sensation, are all symptoms I had. I was even on the same dosage you were on. I was taking 2 Nexium a day, a zantac at bedtime, and about 8-10 tums throughout the day after I ate. NOTHING helped me. I felt like I was going insane.

Did you fail your tests? And by that I mean, did the tests prove you were refluxing as bad as you are experiencing?

I'm not sure why your doc gave you those numbers with the surgery. They seem pretty low. My surgeon told me the surgery is 95% effective with regular GERD symptoms and about 75% effective with atypical symptoms or LPR symptoms. However, he assured me he thought I would be in that 95% bracket because of how poorly my LES was functioning.

I truly believe that 75% effective rate is a tad bit lower because people will have the surgery to fix their problem without getting the entire testing. There are plenty of things out there that cause throat irriration like post nasal drip, zenkers diverticulum, etc. These all need to be ruled out before proceeding with the surgery.

It's beating a dead horse, but there's a reason why surgery should always be the 'final option' in the process.

I'm still early in the recovery process, and I can't say with 100% that my symptoms won't come back, but I already feel a ton better and my doctor told me I would only continue to get better. My stomach is still swollen and I already feel good, so I'm looking forward to getting even better as time goes on.

I had John Vito Bagnato in Albany, GA do my surgery. He has a special 270 degree wrap that is a great success for his patients.
I had my surgery 2 1/2 years ago and have not regretted having it one day. I wish I had had mine sooner. I waited too late to prevent damage to my epitglottis. If I don't concentrate on my swallowing I'll choke on my own saliva.

Recovery is hard, but if you follow the rules you'll do great.

PS. don't forget to have the stomach emptying test done.

Hi Sassy,

I had the Nissen surgery 3 years ago for atypical symptoms.  My lungs reacted very badly to my reflux, even though it was minimal (my DeMeester score was just a little over the high range for "normal").  It took me 5 years of very sick lungs before my GI doc finally believed my PCP, who was certain that my reflux was making my asthma much worse.  My lungs were in a "life-threatening" condition, and my PCP pushed long and hard to get me in to a surgeon, while my GI doc dragged his feet because he didn't think I needed surery.

Anyway, long story short, after 2 and a half months of healing, my lungs recovered and were healthy again for the first time in years.  Because my lungs are highly sensitive to any reflux, my PCP and asthma docs want me to take 40mg Protonix before dinner and continue to sleep with the head of my bed elevated.  These are just proactive measures...it is very possible to get a little reflux after surgery.  The surgeon only goes for "normal reflux" (less than 14.7 DeMeester score) because to achieve zero reflux we wouldn't be able to swallow.

(Prior to surgery I was taking 40mg Protonix AM and PM as well as 300mg Ranitidine at bedtime, and still my lungs were horrible.) 

Since my surgery my inhaled steroid dose is a fraction of what it was.  I don't have to use my nebulizer daily (actually I haven't used it since my surgical recovery--before surgery I used it several times daily)  Also, I haven't had to take oral steroids since my surgery.

GI docs aren't quick to send LPR patients for surgery.  One reason is that those of us with LPR may not have the high levels of reflux, but are extra-sensitive to the reflux that does make it into our esophagus.  I think GI docs are fearful that if the surgeon can't get the reflux low enough, a LPR sufferer may not get relief. 

My surgery was very successful.  Some might wonder if the fact that I still take a PPI before dinner it means my surgery was a failure.   This could not be further from the truth.  My lungs became healthy after surgery. If I need to take a PPI to ensure that they continue to remain that way, I'm happy to do so.  I threw lots of medications at my lungs before my surgery and my they were very sick. 

The 75% effective for atypical symptoms is what I remember seeing as well.  Hey, those odds aren't all that bad.  If you can get feeling better, even if you're not perfect, will be a big improvement.

Good luck with your appointment with the surgeon!

Denise

 

I have heard many people on this site talk about the Dr Kaufman Diet. I will take a look at it. Thanks again for all the great info.

Thanks for all the great info! Did you have the Linx surgery for your Gerd/LPR? If so, do you feel any better? Is the surgery successful?

And why can't you buy Gaviscon Advance in the States!!! UGH!

Sassy101 said...
And why can't you buy Gaviscon Advance in the States!!! UGH!

It can be.

kevinla said...

Sassy101 said...
And why can't you buy Gaviscon Advance in the States!!! UGH!

It can be.

You can buy the advance but only thru Amazon.com.