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several years after nissen fundoplication problems

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Posted 4/18/2018 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
While some have had bad experiences with their surgery, I think it is unfair to make such blanket statements as "this is a horrible surgery" based solely on your experience, as it may scare off someone who would get benefit from the procedure.

For you, the surgery was horrible, but for most, it is a success (looking at statistics and studies conducted on this procedure - just do a search on Nissen Fundoplication success rates).
Posted 4/20/2018 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Willie S.-I agree......for many, this surgery is life-saving. I was hoping to read updates several years out to see how people have coped with issues that came after surgery. I wouldn't tell someone to have the surgery.......I would tell them what it is like and have them decide on their own. Everyone is different and coping with pain varies from person to person. My surgeon, who I think is an outstanding surgeon, did not tell me that issues would persist for years.......she made it sound like by the time I could "tolerate" eating solid food, the issues would be gone. Not the case.
Posted 4/30/2018 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Posting for my elderly mother that had this surgery 3 years ago. about 6 months after surgery she started having incidents of dry heaves non stop for hours every few days. This situation has become worse as the months go by - incidents almost daily the last several months and now several times a day. Quality of life is definitely impacted. She has had every possible test run. Weight loss is significant - she appears to be half her pre-surgery size. Her gastro dr. dismissed her with a "it was nothing I did" response.

The surgery was supposed to make life better but we wish she had never had it done. Has anyone had similar results? What would you do in this situation?
Posted 4/30/2018 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
It's common to experience waves of nausea post-surgery. I still occasionally suffer bouts of nausea over three years later. Her surgeon should have prescribed an anti-nausea medication (I use Zofran), to carry with her at all times. My suggestion would be for her to make an appointment with her surgeon and discuss her concerns.

Sharon
Posted 5/1/2018 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hello ShopGirl65 - It is horrible to think about your mother suffering as she is. Whether or not her problem is related to the surgery, the gastro MD should be able to offer some help. Sounds like it is time to get a new gastro doc. Have you been back to speak with the surgeon? Perhaps he or she is a more compassionate and professional doctor who is concerned about patients after surgery.......hoping that you and your mother get some assistance.
Posted 5/3/2018 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

i find your forum only now and it brings me a huge relief. i have been looking for years to find equal reactions as mine to the nissen operation.

i had a nissen in 2008 and since than my life is unbearable. i cannot eat normally anymore, it is very difficult to go out and eat with people. i cough the whole day and night and have constantly the impression there is food in my throat that i can not lower into my esophage. i lost a lot of weight. after eating, my belly is bloated as a woman 7 months pregnant and i have to lay down because sitting or standing is very unconfortable. because of the vagus nerve damage i have now also blood tension problems: in the morning 60 on 80, in the evening 200 on 150 (120 on 80 being a normal blood tension). when i have migraine crises that i have once monthly and that last 24 to 48 hours, i get so terrible nausea but i cannot vomit and i lose conscience for some seconds.

they did a redo last year but had to operate again 3 months later: my stomac had entered in my esophage because of the violent coughing. and now everything is even worse. i am desperate and angry that the 1st surgeon proceeded to the nissen operation without telling me about the possible complications and did not do any tests before to determine if a fundoplication was indicated. my heartburn was 100 times less worse than what i am feeling now 24 hours on 24.

i am 54. i have the physical condition from someone over 70, i cannot do any sport anymore, which i liked so much before (yoga, swimming, walking, cycling). my mother from 83 is in better condition as i am. I would very much like to communicate with someone having the same problems as me after a nissen. i am sure meeting or hearing people who suffer as i do, will help me to live easier with this difficulties. my friends cannot understand and some even say it is psychosomatic which, i am certain, is not.

thanks. mieke
Posted 5/20/2018 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hii..
Are there people who hv hd reflux symptoms many weeks after their fundoplication and then felt better?? I'm from India and had my fundo 7 weeks back..I still HV reflux symptoms like heartburn and burning nose..I thought my fundo hs failed and posted my concerns..SharonZ and Alcie comforted me saying to b patient as I'm in my early recovery..and many people who have hd problems like me cannot be seen posting saying that they are better..they hv just stopped posting..any such experience is appreciated..

Rooby
Posted 5/26/2018 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
mieke-I am so sorry to hear about your postoperative complications. I had fundo 2.5 years ago and have minor issues compared to yours. I hope that others respond to your post and give you some insight into what you may do to get some relief. Hoping tomorrow is a better day for you.
Posted 5/26/2018 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Rooby- I had fundo surgery 2.5 years ago......I also had giant hiatal hernia corrected. Seven weeks out is really early......be sure to speak with your doctor about issues......he may tell you that they should resolve in the weeks and months to come. I have had some issues but really not serious...no GERD or burning nose......just a slow recovery as far as physical discomfort in the area of surgery.....and lots of embarrassment with excessive gas-even this far from surgery. Right after surgery, I couldn't eat or drink at all...for about a month...hurt way too much.....and I still have to eat slowly-only a little - chew chew chew and drink from a glass/mug in a way to NOT take in air. No straws, no carbonation, no coffee....and not even too much water. Many days I have a stomach ache due to both solids and liquids processing slowly in my stomach. Hopefully, you will find some answers from this forum, from your doctor, and from the Internet. Hoping, too, that tomorrow is a better day for you!
Posted 5/26/2018 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hii noisynellie..

Thanks for ur valuable reply..
My surgeon is an experienced one but he won't say anything when I list my problems, he just smiles and then prescribes PPIs and Amitriphyline..my endoscopy showed everything intact but to be sure i'm refluxing..next time i'l ask him for a pH test..
Rooby
Posted 5/26/2018 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
Rooby-Everyone has a somewhat different body and a somewhat different experience. If I continued to have massive problems, I would definitely do some research and find another experienced gastro MD to get a second opinion. Where are you located? Keep smiling!
Posted 5/26/2018 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
Nellie.. I'm in India..I'll definitely take ur advice and meet another gastro MD.. blush blush .. smile smile ..may I ask u where u r from??

Rooby
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