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stomach wrap to repair hiatal hernia

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Posted 8/15/2005 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
 

I consulted with a doctor about the operation they do (forget what it's called) that wraps part of the stomach around the esophagus to correct a hiatal hernia.  The doctor told me that it's generally successful, but of course there are some risks.  The risks include:  excessive bleeding, inability to burp or vomit and a feeling of not being able to swallow correctly.

      Has anyone had this operation and what has been the outcome?    How have you handled any side-effects that have occurred?   I would like to avoid surgery, but maybe they'll come up with a better type of surgery someday.

We can only hope.

Thanks for any info!!!

 

chilipepper

Posted 8/16/2005 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi chilipepper and Welcome to HealingWell! tongue

I don't have any first hand experience with this, however here is a site that might offer you some more insight...I wish you all the best and please let us know what you decide to do!!

http://www.columbiasurgery.org/divisions/surgical/gerd.html

 

Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 8/16/2005 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Teri, thanks for the info. I'm really surprised no one else has responded to this. I'm sure some people on this site must have had this surgery. Maybe I will look elsewhere for another message board.

Thanks again and good luck!

chilipepper
Posted 11/3/2005 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Chilipepper... The surgery you are asking about is called Laparoscopic fundoplication, and it is to treat Gastroesophageal reflux disease. The doctor wraps the very top of the stomach around the lower part of the esophagus and sews it either all the way around, 3/4, or half way. I had the surgery five weeks ago, and I am very happy with the results. I still can't eat solid foods, but it takes anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks to heal. Swelling inside the esophagus causes difficulity in swallowing, so for the first few weeks I could only drink liquids,and they got stuck going down, but now I am able to eat soft" foods, like pudding, yogurt, can fruit, etc etc. I also eat four to five (small ) portions a day, becasue I fill up really fast.   I was in the hospital for two and a half days, went back to work, and started playing golf in four weeks . Lost 10 pds.... Good luck and God bless 
Posted 11/4/2005 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mikido. Glad this worked out so well for you! Have you had any trouble with being able to burp afterwards? I heard that can be a problem, as well as not being able to vomit. Did your stomach area swell up a lot also? How about the pain levels? It would kind of freak me out not being able to swallow liquids or anything for so long.
Thanks for the information and best of luck to you!

chilipepper
Posted 11/4/2005 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
OH, I know this is going to sound horrible, but I would love to not be able to vomit. I'm scared to death of it.....it throws me into panic attacks every single time and I have GERD and IBS.....so, I have my share of nausea but I down pepto bismol to keep from throwing up. I will do this surgery if the doc will let me. I have a scope on Tuesday because it's gotten so bad, lately, that I can barely eat anything at all.
Good Luck!
Michelle
Posted 11/5/2005 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hello it's me again... Mikado,( female..50 ish )  and yes the  IV bag  that I was hooked up to in the hospital for three days had an automatic line with a button you can push to control the pain, but I never used it. It fell on the floor, so that's where it stayed. I was plenty sore, but after having lung surgery two years ago this was a walk in the park. I couldn't swollow pills for a few weeks they had to be crushed and added to pudding...yuck ! My stomach looked like I was nine months pregnant,and it was all black and blue, but it went down after a week or so.  No, I don't burp anymore but I do belch, and that's something I had before surgery that didn't go away. I got the dry heaves the second day in the hospital but nothing after that. I do  have nausea if I eat too much. I had a small bowl of chili last night for dinner and it tasted "Wonderful " first bowl of chili in 5 years, and I had " No "Nothing "None, "Nada " Zip  reflux last night. It has been five weeks today that I had my  surgery, and I have very little scaring, I am doing ok...
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