Upcoming Paraesophageal Hernia Repair with Nissen's Fundoplication

It has been good to read everyone's posts regarding their experience with this type surgery. My surgery is scheduled for Wed, Jan 28th. I am a bit nervous, as can be expected, I suppose. I think I am more concerned about the Fundoplication than the hernia repair. I had hoped that the fundoplication would not necessarily be required but my surgeon said, yes, have to do it. But he was open to a partial rather than a 360. Not sure what will determine which is necessary.
I am so afraid of the vomiting thing as I get extremely sick from anesthesia. I just am praying that the doctor stays on top of that from the get go. I do have confidence in my surgeon but he made it sound like I would have immediate relief from the pain I have been experiencing for many months. Just watch my diet and I should be back up to speed in a couple of weeks. However, this is not what I am reading on the posts regarding this surgery.
A couple of questions: How long did the surgery last? How long did you stay in the hospital?
Looking forward to everyone's posts and encouragement and tips for my success.
Patsy

Welcome to the forum, Patsy.

I had a GPEH (giant paraesophageal hiatal hernia) and a bad LES (lower esophageal sphincter). My surgery was a type of partial Nissen wrap called "Toupet." I was in the hospital for a few days after a fairly long surgery.

I'm not a doctor, don't know your case, so don't take anything I post as medical advice. It's just personal experience.

How long the surgery is and how long they keep you depends on how extensive the surgery is and your condition. I'm old, had been in a bad wreck, and the surgery to get the stomach and enough of the esophagus down into the abdomen took some time. Don't let them send you home too soon. Overnight isn't nearly enough, IMO, for the surgery you are getting. It's way more involved than the routine Nissen. A couple of days might be reasonable.

Don't demand any specific type of surgery. Let the surgeon choose what is best for you. I had a partial wrap because I had very weak swallow even before the wreck (polio). You should have had a swallow test to see how tight the surgeon could make the wrap. At that time also, they measured the length of the esophagus. The esophagus has to be let down some so the wrap stays below the diaphragm with no tension.

The anesthesiologist will talk to you before surgery. It's pretty standard nowadays to give Zofran during the surgery to prevent vomiting and nausea, but since you've had trouble before you need to tell him so it can be prescribed after that too. I would, and did, ask for a prescription to have at home! You'll be on pain meds, which can cause nausea too. Take a written list of any meds you know you've had that you don't tolerate and also ones you do tolerate.

You should stop having the reflux and stomach-in-the-chest pain you've been having - after the major surgical pain goes away in a few weeks. Back to normal in a couple of weeks? He must have a magic wand. Read the milder posts.

Not having any testing makes me nervous. Maybe White Beard or another experienced mod will comment on this.

My take on it. I was diagnosed with the Paraesophageal Hernia which HAS to be fixed. The Nissen's Wrap just goes along as a "have to do this" when repairing this type of hernia. At least that is what I got from my doctor. I do live in a small area but the Dr. assured me that he had done these, quite a few, when he was in the Dallas, TX area. Also, I was and am not experiencing any problems with swallowing. I really liked this Dr. He was very easy to talk to, ask question and he took the time to draw a diagram for me. I feel it is too late to turn back at this point as surgery is day after tomorrow. I am so ready to get this fixed, very painful, and move on.

I do have these concerns. I will certainly discuss the type of wrap he intends to do before I go into surgery.
I did have a endoscopy which diagnosed the paraesophageal hernia and then a follow up with a barium swallow.

Just wanted to finally update everyone on my surgery and outcome. It will be 3 weeks tomorrow. Everything went fantastic. I stayed overnight in the hospital. The doctor was able to control my nausea issues from anesthesia...none whatsoever.
I had a paraesophageal hernia the size of a softball that the doctor felt had been there for some time. I am sure, due to all the pain that I was experiencing.
I am happy to say that I have had no problems with eating. I can eat just about anything, I think. Although, I am being careful...saying away from red meats and bread products for the most part. Never had any problems to speak of with food getting stuck at the Nissen's Wrap. I find that I fill up much faster than before and have to gauge that.
I have had nothing to drink other than water since the surgery. Staying away from my Diet Dr. Pepper addiction, which is good, I think.
I experienced the chest pain, pain with deep breathing and some shortness of breath for about 10 days as a result of the air they put in when doing the surgery. But that is gone now. And I have had no GERD medications since the surgery with no signs of GERD at all. It is wonderful to be able to lay flat in the bed again and have a restful nights sleep.
I am so happy to have had this surgery done and thankful for the success.
Patsy

I was extremely nervous before my procedure. I had researched so much and saw all the things that could happen. Actually, I did not ask my Doctor which type wrap he did. But we had certainly discussed my concerns regarding the wrap and he knew my concerns, yet, I know he did what he felt was necessary, without making it too tight. You know, now thinking back...when I had the test afterwards to be sure everything was working properly, the radiologist showed me the picture on the screen and it was a full wrap that I observed.
Yes, I was extremely nervous about the nausea issue. I had a patch behind my ear, like when you go on cruises, LOL and then took anti-nausea meds. I did have a headache in the hospital which I believe was from the Zofran for nausea. I went home with Zofran tabs that dissolve in your mouth, not a bad taste at all and liquid Lortab for pain.
I did not need much pain meds for the procedure but was glad that I had it as I had three separate episodes of a kidney stone during the week after my surgery. I have had kidney stones 5 times and was diagnosed with another stone in the kidney during some of my tests to diagnose this hernia. Perhaps I passed it as I have not had any other symptoms. But I was sure glad that I had the Lortab and Zofran for that.

Just back off a bit. Might be a bit soon. My surgery was on Jan 28th and I have done great; no problems. Best thing I have ever done. I had taken GERD meds since the 80's and none since the day of the surgery. Now, I eat just about anything I want, but do watch the red meat. I only have some slight discomfort if I eat too fast or don't chew well.