Nissen Failure?

Hi all

I had a Nissen Fundo at the start of June. Within a couple of weeks a had recurrence of acid reflux.

After a month or so I'd had it a few times and so I told my surgeon, who said that it was healing pains and to use mind over matter and ignore it.

I did - I tried - but I'm now 4 and a half months after my operation and it's getting worse and worse.

3 weeks ago I went back to the surgeon (I had to request a new referral from the GP as my surgeon had effectively discharged me) and he tried to tell me it was normal. However, on my insistence that it wasn't he agreed to send me for a barium swallow. He said at the time that it wasn't for HIS reassurance, but for mine.

Anyway... I had a barium swallow 2 weeks ago (anyone had that? - that stuff is darned heavy!).

The doctor who performed the test said right there on the spot that she could see I still had reflux - it was showing up somehow (I didn't ask) on her screens.

So last week I was back at the surgeon's office. He said yes, I still have reflux. (I wasn't expecting an apology but at least some admission that I had been right and that he shouldn't have dismissed me out of hand). But, most importantly, he said the wrap was intact.

...For some reason, he had a nurse come into his office whilst I was there. She left when I did...

So anyway he said - this time - that it was still fairly normal for some people to still have reflux after the surgery and that I should go back in February for a follow-up. I was OK with this last week when he suggested it, but honestly the next day it really flared up again - the worst since the op by far - and I've been suffering for 6 days now on-and-off.

I've also got that continual feeling of something stuck in my chest, and it still really hurts half the time to burp. Deep breaths hurt - especially when lying on my back.

Could it be that I simply need to revert back to liquid diet for a couple of weeks - would that fix my chest pain as well as the reflux? Or is it too late for that?

Can anyone advise me here? Does anyone have similar experience?

I have to admit that I'm feeling very down at the moment.

I've lost all trust in my surgeon as well, which doesn't help.

Hi Gloopstar, thanks for the reply!

In honesty, I could manage a 'mild amount' - I did put up with reflux for over 20 years before finally going in for the surgery - but to be back to 5-day-long bouts of reflux just can't be considered normal.

I'm definitely going to go back to the soup diet for a few days and see if it helps.

Boooo. I hate the soup diet.

...still, 2 and a half stone dropped since the surgery... every cloud!

Hi Gloopstar

Yeah I did put up with it for way too long - My GP never told me I had options, and just always prescribed Zantac or Gaviscon.

To be honest, if I'd read up properly and seen the possible complications I could have had from ignoring it, I'd have done something sooner.

As it is though, I have been lucky and don't have any obvious signs of Barretts etc.

I had issues after op but I knew when the Nissan failed as I bought up blood, however I had revision and even now have times when it is not good for a while. Just out if a 3 week bout that I think was triggered by diet (too much coffee, chocolate and a drinking weekend). If you get too many issues I would challenge surgeon, I had ph test and endoscopy after pushing my gp following a hospitalisation (11 months post surgery). I must admit I had concerns after each surgery at about 10 weeks and in hindsight I think it was time that was them issue.

But everyone knows their own body and if it concerns you then challenge your go etc.