My Voyage through GERD/Fundoplication

This site has been a huge help as I'm researching having Fundoplication surgery after suffering from GERD since I was probably 4-5 years old. As others, I'd like to keep a log of my voyage through research and/or having the surgery.

Background: I'm a 34-year old female. I've had acid reflux since I was probably 4-5 years old, but undiagnosed until I was an adult. As a young kid (4-5?), I remember my stomach hurting and not wanting to wear tight waistbands. Most memorable as a clear indicator was that by Junior High and High School, I was constantly losing my voice. I'd get "sick" for a day or two, stay home and it'd get better. At first when tested as an adult, they thought it was maybe allergies with post nasal drip, but turned out I'm not allergic to anything (all tests done). It was actually the acid reflux that was hitting my vocal cords, not post nasal allergy drip. Mine seems to be stress related and the worse episodes have been after extreme stress. While I was given PPIs, I'd take it until symptoms went away and then got off them until next one. I've had on and off episodes since. Then this last April, I had the worst episode after extreme stress. It was so bad I was regurgitating my food and kept a cup nearby after a meal. I saw a ENT and then a Gastro doctor. They kept trying different medications and finally went up to 3x a day of Pantoprazole. I modified my diet, not eating before bed, and even lost 30 lbs. I'm a curvy girl and could still lose a little bit more but not overly so. Still, even with all that and 3x a day meds (for over 2 months), I'm still having my voice constantly getting hoarse/going in and out from acid. My gastro is conservative, but after trying all that suggested I consider surgery after all since it's still not contained and I'm young & healthy. He referred me to USC's surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Hagen, out of all So Cal doctors, say he's one of the best in the field.

I've had my consultation with Dr. Hagen and he sent me for four tests. I've completed the esophageal manometry, endoscopy, 24-Hour Esophageal pH Study, and a hamburger Barium Swallow. I'll be meeting with him on December 8th to go over the results and verify if Fundoplication is best course of action.

Post Edited (CaptainHaven) : 11/25/2014 10:38:14 AM (GMT-7)

Welcome to our forum. Others will be along with suggestions. One thing is to ask the surgeon for a copy of his post surgery diet plans and acceptable foods. Buy them in advance and have them on hand. Also ask for 'liquid' medications. They are available. Get them before hand. Take them BEFORE pain/discomfort gets a hold of you. Don't try to have bragging rights of 'I didn't need any'. Have a pillow readily available in case if you feel a cough or sneeze coming-- that might hurt- so the pillow braces the area. Some say a heating pad or hot/warm bottle can help.

Probably need some liquid nourishment too like Boost to help with calories and liquid-- get it ahead. You will be up and about pretty quickly-- walking will help you but avoid that lifting like your doc says. Nothing wrong with just bringing in a couple of groceries at at time with few more trips. You'll see that friends will be helpful. It's okay to ask. Ask ahead to have an 'emergency' friend just in case and if someone wants to sit with you please let them. Company makes good friends.

Ask your doctors/ nurse the best way to handle after surgery questions and let them tell you how to handle those questions. You'd be surprised how many people didn't know their doctors post surgery routine.

Wish you the best on your path to better health. Keep us posted on when and let us know after too. It helps so many others. 🌺 Pat

My surgery is scheduled with Dr. Hagen at USC on 12/23. I know, couple days before Christmas. However, my family is all out of state and can't come anyways. Plus, I saw them a few weeks ago since I try not to fly on holidays. I'd started worrying about if I'd messed up my pH test and if actually that bad.I was worried maybe I'd messed up the test because I'd made myself burp several times to feel better and also honestly because I was afraid the test wouldn't show how bad I had it. Also, at home during the day, I was in my only comfy chair which is a recliner permanently stuck almost all the way back because it's broken. I tried to perch in the chair frequently but I'd say there were several hours reclined. Yet, I was told by two primary Surgeon's nurses that even if that influenced it a bit, there's no way I could have manufactured almost 150 incidents over average. I had the mamnometry too, and while swallowing was normal, it showed I had abnormal esphogeus/valve because it's shorter (higher placement). Surgeon explained that it mean it's resting pressure is good, but once I eat anything, the stomach contents push it open because of high placement. The endoscopy was fine with possible hiatel hernia but couldn't confirm hernia. Had Barium swallow with hamburger, but he didn't go over it - assuming it was fine. Prior to testing, I'd been on high amount of Pantoprazole (3x a day) and tried others, but still couldn't shake completely the hoarse throat. I'm just so wanting to make sure I'm making the right choice. Plus, I do have a sensitive stomach that's borderline IBS. I'm worried about the possible side effect of more gas. I read another posts suggestion of GasX. I'm also going to be super careful about my diet - I already am anyways for most part. Plus, my doctor was also surprised when I mentioned nausea meds. He made it sound like I wouldn't be able to puke if I tried most likely. Still, I know I get nauseated easily (I get vertigo), so I'm going to insist on nausea & gas meds with discharge.

Continued... I want to clarify, that the first few 12 hour nurses I had were amazing. However, I was moved then with everyone on that floor down a couple of floors since they were shutting ours for the holidays. The mess with nurse callback happened then where we were all crowded onto that one floor as many took vacation. As I was being roughly transported by bed the two nurses were complaining that unless you had a doctor's note outside they couldn't miss work (it was going to be the 25th in morning). I asked during transport several times to please to slow down and take a second before I vomited, which they did once briefly and then ignored saying there were others behind us waiting. My tip, don't ever have surgery by choice within a couple weeks of a holiday. Some of medical staff seemed to be checked out on patience and compassion. Now, I do want to say that my two favorite nurses were before that move and then 1 after. However, my old nurses had received new patients and weren't reassigned to me again. I guess I should take it as a compliment that the nurses usually said I was their easiest patience, hence why I never got my favorite ones back. They were probably saved for the troublesome ones. Just stinks. (to be continued)

I've been recovering at home and pain is getting better but still on strong meds. Tried going off onto liquid Tylenol and wasn't enough. I'm still trying to find soft-foods to eat that aren't with dairy/gluten/MSG. Any suggestions? I've actually been able to do tiny burps (without forcing), which has helped a bit with gas. Though I'm wondering how much other people did with walking, etc? I've gotten really dehydrated, which I know is keeping me being as strong. I'm taking another week off work. Originally my doctor does 2 weeks from discharge, which would be me back on 1/12 this Monday, but not quite up for that. I'm curious if anyone else was out this long? I know every body is different, and Dr this week said my wrap was at maximum swelling. Anyone else know how long to start going down now?

It's now been almost a year since my Nissen fundoplication! On the bright side, my scars are completely healed and no normal reflux. However, I've developed complications that may end up requiring a redo. I struggled clearing food longer than most, but just assumed it was my body taking longer to heal. However, after the last several months of feeling food getting stuck no matter what/how I eat, I finally complained strongly to my surgeon's office. I've also progressed to have nausea almost daily, even sometimes when I wake up before even eating anything. I've already had the Barium swallow again. Pre-surgery, I had a very minor delay on just one of the 5 barium swallows and very slight motility issue on manometry. However, now my Barium shows liquid hangup on 4 out of the 5 tests. I'm waiting on the endoscopy/manometry to confirm exactly what's causing it, but they're suspecting it's too tight for me. My issues were caused by birth defect of too short esophagus. So a normal dilation just may not work. I don't have reflux like I did before. I do have sore throat/clearing, nausea daily (almost 24/7), and the dysphagia. However, I believe that's all just because the wrap may be too tight/much for me. I think the actual surgery and decision to do it was right. It's just a matter of getting the right pressure/style for my body. I have high confidence in my surgeon from a renown University here in So Cal and would entrust myself in his hands again for a redo. Definitely not looking forward to it, but I think my reflux has been solved and just needing now to tweak it. Just praying though if they redo it that my reflux won't come back with it being looser/partial.