PPI & Fundoplication success story!?!

I normally look at posts but don't feel like I have the time to post myself. I find that so many posts are by people that have only have problems and complaints and so I thought it would be important to share my, so far, good story.

I have had reflux for most of my life (now 55). I remember as a young child getting food stuck in my esophagus and it continued until post college where it got so bad I had a barium test and they noticed a stricture. This was caused by the acid. Actually, they asked me if I had tried to commit suicide because apparently strictures are often seen in people that tried to end it by drinking drain opener! The docs stretched the stricture open and I was on my way. Food eventually started getting stuck again and an endoscopy at the age of 35 discovered Barrets Esophagus. No problem I was told but get regular endoscopies and start taking PPIs 2 times a day. (I chose only one a day as it seemed to help). Over the next 20 years with each endoscopy I would semi jokingly ask my Gastrologist if I could get off the PPIs and he would say no before I finished my question. That is until last November when he said yes and he would refer me to a surgeon! as the anesthesiologist put me under...(I love that feeling...) I had a meeting with the surgeon and he explained to me the Fundoplication and the pros and cons AND the dangers of PPIs and Kidney issues!!! I wasn't even aware of those... I very nervously agreed to the procedure with visions of death or waking up with my stomach opened up because of any sort of issues found during the procedure. These fears were obviously a low risk but the rehab time and lasting issues I read about were more of a certainty.

I dozed off to sleep in the OR and awoke in that post all is amazing heavenly state of morphine and other opiates. All had gone well. I would spend the night at the hospital and be home the next day. The pain came later that day and I gladly took some morphine here and there but weened myself off by the time I left. The first two nights I took some oxycodone before bed and once in the middle of the night and a bit during the day. None the third day until just before bed. I did take the Tylenol throughout though. By the fourth night I was off the Oxycodone for good. I had shakes and yogurt for 4 days or so then I just had to have a bite of my son's burger. I chewed it until it was mush and it went down well. 10 days later I had normal food but chewed it a lot! Now it's been 13 days and I eat anything as I used to, trying to pay attention to extra chewing but have found myself forgetting. I occasionally get internal pain by the left top suture and especially when laughing. I find that stretching my torso to the right seems to help.

I post this because I'm sure I'm not special in my recuperation. I believe there are many more success stories but that people (like me) tend to not post good things because it takes time. We post when we have problems and are looking for help...

I am very optimistic about the future, especially now that I'm off the PPIs! They like so many drugs help one thing but cause havoc in other ways. I haven't been on mush for 6 weeks as planed. My reflux is GONE. I sleep flat on my back now! I don't wake up chocking on the stomach fluids that washed up in the middle of the night! The pessimist in me though is a bit worried that this can't last but gosh it's a good feeling so far.

Good luck to all!