Deciding Whether or Not to Get Nissen Fundoplication

I was originally dx with GERD in 2007 after going to the ER for heart attack symptoms (chest & left arm pain). I was put on Prevacid and within a few months, I was doing well. I was really in remission for several years.

about 6 months ago, my symptoms started again and got worse and worse. Heart attack symptoms again, and ER visit and EKG at my PCP ruled out a cardiac cause. I am taking Prevacid, 300 mg ranitidine twice daily, and carafate 4 x per day. They also want me to try Bethanicol, but my insurance hasn't approved that yet.

I had an endoscopy yesterday which showed some scarring/narrowing of my esophagus, but no Barrett's, no hernia, and no ulcers. He did find some bile, so I do have both bile and acid reflux. They are wanting to discuss surgery with me, since I still have breakthrough reflux almost every day despite meds. It's just more tolerable some days than others. I sleep sitting up in a recliner. I can literally feel liquids and foods refluxing into my throat, and I have to swallow them back down. I have burning in my chest, stomach, and sometimes my upper back at varying degrees every day.

I'm wondering if it's wise to go forward with the surgery so soon. From everything I've read, people are much worse off than me before they get it. Hernias, refluxing into their lungs, really bad stuff. But I've also read that almost everyone is very happy with the results.

I'm hoping that the docs are just wanting to stay ahead of the curve and help me before I get really bad, especially if they suspect (as I do) that I'll end up there anyways. But I am struggling with deciding whether or not to get the surgery since my EGD findings weren't terrible.

I'm anxious to hear opinions of everyone in the Wrapped Club or who are considering getting the surgery, and even those who decided not to get it. Let me know your thoughts!

Hi Kshubrick,

Nothing better than finding this site and trying to find answers to your GERD issues. That alone will help you. I was also advised about surgery about 6 years ago when I had an endoscope done because of the esophageal erosion but was not ready and kept on all the PPIs and changed my food habits. Well 5 months ago I had another endoscope and it was the same issues. I also had the heart attack feelings while just sitting at my desk at work. That is the reflux and heartburn telling you to fix something. Well I started my process of research, as you are doing, and I came to the conclusion it was better to have the surgery then to continue on all those PPIs which are really only supposed to be taken short term (you can read about the issues with those from the FDA and other sites). I think the final straw was that they kept wanting to biopsy me for Barrett's and told me I needed to watch out for it with all the erosion. I looked at the endoscope pictures and decided to get that fixed. I had the surgery on 7/31 this year so I am 3 weeks post op and I have not taken one PPI since the surgery. As SharonZ mentioned, the recover is long but for me, very well worth it. If you decide on it, do your research on your surgeon and discuss the technique they are recommending such as loose wrap, etc. You should also be getting your 24hr PH test and motility test done. Good luck.