Need guidance on my wrap and current symptoms

Hello everyone,
I had my full wrap with large hernia repair in March 2015 and everything has been going smoothly until recently. I've been burping a lot and this is causing me to get very sick to my stomach to where I want to throw up. Well, with the wrap, I was told I wouldn't be able to do that. I had to take some iron tablets and those made me throw up, since then heartburn is back and I seem to be vomiting up stuff that doesn't sit well. Went to my dr. twice and he said not to worry.-- both times. He did give me sublingual pills for the nausea but they just came right up. I have a very sensitive stomach. I had to beg my gastro for a barium swallow after a bout of throwing up. While having the barium swallow done, I could see the liquids hitting my stomach and shooting back up into my throat. The radiologist said that my hernia looks like it came back or my wrap might be loose. I definitely know something is wrong and the radiologist confirmed it by his visual of the x-rays.
Today, I called my gastro and his nurse called me back saying the gastro dr. said "no need to worry everything is fine". So either he (gastro) didn't read my report results or the radiologist studied the findings of my swallow and didn't think anything of what he saw after all. I've scheduled an appt with my surgeon hoping he can reconfirm something for me.
Maybe I'm overreacting to my symptoms but I feel just like I did before the surgery.
Has anyone experienced heartburn and throwing up after fundoplication?
What questions should I be asking?
I've cut my diet back to soft diet in case my wrap was irritated but that hasn't seemed to help.

You all got me thru the first surgery, please help me figure this one out as well.

Thanks!

Fundrider: I had the same disagreement between what the radiologist saw-the wrap is too tight, and what the surgeon said-its just inflammation, and will get better in 2 weeks. I started throwing up 2 weeks later. I learned that yes, you can throw up, and the wrap can be undone. I cannot believe this is normal, and that I will ever be able to eat normally again. I try to eat blended meals, ensure, etc, but can barely keep 100 lbs of weight on. Very unhappy and worried.

Both of you, this is not normal, and you need to harass your doctors to take it seriously, if they keep trying to fob you off then I would get irate and demand they do something. Drs only see u for 10 minutes and sometimes you have to be forceful to make them do something.

No problem. Let us know how your appointment goes

Fun, I thought they always used mesh to replace a hiatus hernia? At least it sounds like they know what the problem is, have you tried self adjusting the hernia by drinking warm water and dropping on your heels? Google it, but it reduced my hernia from very large to email so seems to make a difference.

What were your symptoms like before surgery, where u still getting heartburn and stuff on PPIs?

Had appt with my surgeon today and he wants a endoscopy and a 24 hr ph level test done. Suggested that I ask the gasrto dr. to place the 24 hour ph while I'm under for the endoscopy. Has anyone ever had that done?
Since my symptoms don't seem to point to just one thing, he felt it was best to get those two test done and see what they reveal before talking about anything else. He did say if the hernia had reoccurred they may have to go in and repair that and this time use the mesh.
Regardless I think the test might give more insight.
Please let me know if you have had the 24"thingy" placed while under anesthesia.

Hi, our gastro is pediatric, and he routinely places a 24 ph impedance probe while the kids are under endoscopy anesthesia so it is easier for them. It is a wire that goes up your nose and down past LES.Most adults can deal withthe placement while you are awake, but its easier if you are asleep. Taking it out is cake.

When you have appointment with surgeon about his possible mesh use-- be sure to ask for the brand name of the mesh product used and read up on it. There are some that are made up of permanent materials and some that are made of some kind of animal product that over time eventually becomes part of your own body. Just thought that I would mention this. Good question to ask him and WHY he would use the particular form. They have their reasons for selection and good to understand it . Also will it have to be redone in 'how' many years, if at all. Would the body consider it as a 'foreign body' and react to it over time unless it is the self-absorbing kind.

Take care and please let us know how you are. Be well friends!

The mess he would use would be biological pig mesh. He said using any mesh to repair the hernia can be tricky as it would be placed close to the diaphragm which is a moving muscle. All that constant moving can cause the mess to "catch" or "wear down" over time. He only uses biological mesh. So I guess I should look into the other as well. My second opinion doctor would only use the biological - so maybe there is something to it. Both said rejection wasn't a problem but I also realize everyone is unique and I could respond differently than the majority. Regardless, something to investigate since I overlooked it before because I knew he would be stitching it.
I really don't think he wants a "redo" as he mentioned it can be tricky with scar tissue that has already formed. He asked if medication was helping at all and when I mentioned that taking them make my bones hurt, he kind of dismissed me saying it take years for osteoporosis to set in. I know my knees are bad (torn acl's on both) and when weather changes I can feel it in my bones. Also, know that taking anti reflux medicine makes my lower extremities feel like I've been run over by a truck. My resistance to medication was the major reason for choosing this surgery, anyway he did recommend further testing to see where we stand with the wrap and the hernia so I know he's listening and wants to find a solution to this problem. Only thing I'm unsure of is my gastro guy, he has lost a lot of my confidence. Surgeon would be sending him specific instructions on how to perform endoscopy so he gets shots of what he looking for and suggestions for the PH testing. Hopefully gastro doctor won't be offended and will follow recommended surgeon procedures.
I'm scheduled for endoscopy on Nov 18th so I will know something soon.
Pat, I know you've had a redo or two. I'd really like follow up input from you after I get my endoscopy results and my plan of action from those results, hope you'll be around in the next week or so.

Once again, thank you to all for viewing and responding to my post. It's very comforting!

I'm scheduled for my endoscopy tomorrow and just received a call that the bravo procedure cannot be done at the same time of my endoscopy. My insurance (BCBS) won't allow it until an endoscopy has been performed. I asked if they could use the endoscopy from March of this year before my surgery and the nurse offered to call and check but she also stated that the insurance has close to a 5 day pre-approve process. I'm so disappointed because I really don't think I can handle getting the bravo inserted thru the conventional method. I also didn't want to put off the endoscopy that is already scheduled for tomorrow, waiting for a 5 day approval and then trying to get another date scheduled before the holidays. Just hoping tomorrows procedure will provide some enlightening results. I sure hope I made the right decision to proceed with the bravo procedure at this time. Wish me luck tomorrow. I'll update as soon as I have some findings.

Again, Thank You!

Fundrider:

I have BC/BS and I think it's because they need a current endoscopy that shows need for further testing, such as the Bravo. I had the Bravo and manometry done at the same visit. The Bravo is a small device (pill sized), that is attached to your esophagus.

Good luck on your endoscopy today!

Sharon