Air bubbles are passing the sphincter when my stomach is rumbling - is it normal after Nissen?

Hi,

Only 5 days ago I had a laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD. I only took painkillers the two first days.

Background: I have been suffering from heartburn and frequent belching since I was about 20 years old until now (37 years old). Gastroscopy showed esophagitis and 3 cm Hiatus hernia. Been on Nexium (proton pump inhibitor) and also got relief by using Gaviscon (foam barrier). But frequent belching and not taking the Nexium as often as I should I have struggled with the GERD. Biopsy last year did not show Barrett's esophagus. Since I'm not too old I wanted to do a laparoscopic fundoplication instead of medecine rest of my life.

Concern: It's only 5 days and I know it's very normal with abdominal pain. Although, I feel like gas is "pushing" very hard at esophageal sphincter (almost like my heart do little jump when it's at the worst). It triggers me to do a "gulping air burp", which gives a short relief, but to my biggest concern is that I frequently feel and hear that air bubbles are passing the esophageal sphincter and dimish close to larynx. It's like a very small "internal" burp happens 1-3 times per minute.

The "internal" uncontrolled burping started 2 days ago and have given me a sour taste in the mouth and hoarse voice, similar to what I experienced with GERD. No heartburn so far, fingers crossed.

When I drink liquid I also suspect gas to interfere with the passage through the esophageal sphincter. Drinking water is as difficult as eating soup, it gives me hickup and force me to do a "gulping air burp".

Before the surgery I had gas problems, I have frequently been dealing with "gulping air burps", and I'm now afraid that there is other reasons than Hiatus hernia + GERD that caused this. If so, the results from the laparoscopic fundoplication might not be as succesful as I hoped.

Has anyone else had the same problem and does it change?

Regards,
Ron

Post Edited (RonaldStone) : 11/29/2015 5:11:06 AM (GMT-7)

What you are experiencing is vey normal. I had it after both of my fundoications. It's a very strange feeling. A lot of surgeons say you can't "burp" after nissen but a lot of people can still do little ones. I have the feeling of internal "burps" too. They are nothing like normal burps just little ones that sometimes escape on their own. Your wrap is still in essence a valve and will still allow small amounts of air out but I'm sure you will find over the next few weeks that the air will be escaping out the other end! It does feel like a pressure feeling which is a bit worrying but that sensation soon passes and you won't notice it as much.
With regards to the difficulty of swallowing water I too felt the same it was really uncomfortable and after a couple of weeks progressed to it taking very long to pass through but want painful. 5 days is still very very early days, try not to be too concerned, sounds very normal to me. Give it time and I'm sure you will find everything settled soon. Take care.