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Hiatal Hernia Surgery Worries.

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 11/12/2016 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am a 62 year old male that has dealt with acid reflux and chronic cough for close to 30 years. Have been using 40mg Nexuim for close to 20 years. My surgeon has determined me to have  a 2cm hiatal hernia and recommended surgery. Oddly enough, my symptoms have not been too bad over the last couple of months, but i know they can worsen at any time as they has in the past. The anxiety is terrible as i read some of the horror stories. I am also on blood thinners which make things worse. Any advice out there?
Posted 11/12/2016 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
i will only offer my opinion, as at relates to me. my body gave me no choice, as 1/3 of my stomach went north, and decided to stayed there. pre surgery i was a 53 year old athlete, who suffered, mild re flux. having no choice, i had the op. knowing, what i now know, and feel. if my situation, had been less, and manageable, there is no way, i would have gone thru this operation, and only as a last result. good luck with you decision. others are sure to chime in.
Posted 11/14/2016 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bill53, I had the same issue for 30 years and was told twice in five years to have surgery as I was on my way to getting Barrett's. not a good thing. My surgery totally changed all that and I have not used any PPIs since. It takes time to heal and you have to watch what you eat for awhile but I am fully cured from GERD and the HH. I think it was a good thing. Good luck. -JR
Posted 11/14/2016 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
CaliJR: Can you tell me how your recovery was? I have no issues getting Barretts and have a 2cm hernia. Was counting on getting TIF procedure until all appeals from insurance was exhausted. Now having the nissen done really worries me.
Posted 11/14/2016 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
i totally agree with aero1 comment. I had mine done 3 months ago and have plenty of issues related to the wrap. If this is a life or death issue, i.e. early stage of esophagus issues then of course take the leap. But if you can manage it then i would recommend to stay away.
Posted 11/14/2016 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Bill:

I would only recommend surgery as a last resort. Your hernia would be classified as small, and if you can control your GERD-symptoms, I would continue along that route, especially with using blood thinners. A lot of people who have smaller hernias live their whole life without knowing that they have them. I have had the NF surgery, and it was a total success, but I still wouldn't recommend having the surgery unless it was absolutely necessary. Recovery is a huge commitment, I missed 2 months of work. I didn't start to feel good until about 6 months post-surgery and felt like my new self at around the 1 year mark. Surgeons have a habit of not fully explaining that this is a major surgery. In your situation, I'd recommend a second opinion and do your research.

Sharon

Post Edited (SharonZ) : 11/14/2016 9:44:55 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/14/2016 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Look for the threads about successful NF. I have posted there several times about my experiences. To summarize, I was a 73 year old male and I suffered from hiatal hernia and resulting GERD from the late 1960s until about three years ago -- I toughed it out. I likewise went on Nexium for years with good results. It reduced acid but it did nothing for the reflux. I still woke up coughing and choking at night from the reflux. Due to the refluxed vomit getting into my lungs, I developed a bleeding abscess in one lung and had to take strong antibiotics for many months to overcome it. I knew from the start of the reflux problem in the 1960s there was an operation that could correct the problem. But in those days they didn't have the technologies that they have now. When I finally went to the Gastroenterology doctor he informed me about the modern HH repairs and NF procedures. I elected to do the surgery. The results have been wonderful. I haven't had one incident of reflux since the surgery. I had a quick recovery and was back playing tennis and eating almost normally after a three week recovery period. Although nothing is guaranteed, I would highly recommend the surgery. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have at my Email address posted my my profile on this site.
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