Fundoplication

Hello im not so good at posting info im 70 and just had a fundoplication 6 days ago in SYDNEY not without problems the anethidest accidentally pushed a temp prob thru my voice box ending in my asopeghas. ..had scan said it would heal ...so comforting to read the successfully postings im just out of hospital and hoping the pain will ease still have burningin my throat so glad to find this site cheers stoksey

I am now approaching 75 years old and had my Hiatal Hernia repaired and the Nissen Fundoplication 1 year and 4 months ago. I had a 360 floppy so like you I had the bougie spacer put down my throat so that the Fundo wouldn't be too tight. Although I didn't understand what the Bougie was supposed to do when the surgeon explained it prior to surgery, I later realized what it was for. Unfortunately for you, the spacer apparently went down the trachea rather than the esophagus. I hope it did no permanent damage.

I was on Nexium for about 5 years prior to surgery and it worked very well in controlling the amount of acid my body produced but did nothing for the reflux itself. Because of the hiatal hernia my LES and a portion of my stomach slid back and forth into my chest cavity. In effect, my stomach was hour-glass shaped--part above the diaphragm and part below. Whenever I swallowed, a lot of the food stayed in that upper chamber of the stomach and was free to flow back into my throat or it would trickle into the lower stomach by gravity flow. If I ate anything within a few hours of going to bed, I knew it would reflux and I would be coughing all night trying to rid my throat and lungs of it. So, very often I forced myself to vomit in order to empty the esophagus prior to going to bed.

I have to say, the operation changed my life for the better. I recovered from the surgery quickly and was back on a regular schedule and regular diet within three weeks to a month. I may be the exception to the rule but I can now eat or drink anything and am back to playing tennis six mornings per week. My one limitation is that I have to eat normal portions--very seldom can I eat seconds. I haven't taken Nexium or even one antiacid tablet since the surgery and I am on no medication except for tthe treatment of high blood pressure. I hope your results will be the same after you recover from your setback. If you have any specfic questions that I might help you with, you can write me directly at the e-mail address on my profile.

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to thank everyone for posting their experiences on here. I had my surgery 9 days ago. It has been a struggle and I have often wondered if I made the right choice. Reading all of this is so helpful. I found this forum a few days ago and it has been a god send.

My surgeon is very arrogant and quick to rush through a visit. So I often feel like I am not getting enough information or knowledge. He never really listens to my concerns. It is almost like he thinks that because he has performed the surgery that I will have no problems and should have no questions. He talks really fast and barely takes a breath, much less letting me speak. I actually have more concerns and questions met by reading this forum.

My experience so far has been... Surgery on July 9th (saw my surgeon briefly just after), I had 6 incisions, released from hospital on the 11th (by a surgeon on call), clear liquids for one full week, lots of pain in my left shoulder neck back for that whole week and is finally getting better, lots of gas, follow up appoint on the 16 with my surgeon, I have now been on soft foods for two days (which have consisted of rice, eggs, ice-cream, grits and creamy soups).

Besides the pain in my shoulder and neck and gas... I have had a sort of stiffness and loss of breath and pain when I swallow sometimes. It is in my back and chest, sort of the area surrounding the surgery. I get frustrated sometimes and depressed, thinking that I will never be "normal" again. Then my husband reminds me that I was not "normal" in the first place.

Having just lost a friend recently, I am just happy to be alive and to be getting better everyday.