Nissan Fundoplication surgery

Newbie here,

I had my surgery last Thursday, came home on Friday.  I had a full wrap.  Dr. said 25% of my stomach was in my chest cavity.

On Thursday I was eating the liquid diet...popsicle, jello, water,  on Friday they had me eating scrambled eggs, jello, and juice.

everything was fine,over the weekend I was having milkshakes eggs and ice cream,and pudding.

 Today is now Monday and I'm eating little bits of chicken, fish, mashed potatoes with no problems what so ever.  I have had no pain, havent taken any pain medication, since leaving the hospital, just alot of gas and bloating, and I am burping, but absolutley no heartburn, which is great!   I feel so much better since the operation!

I couldn't stand those tests, will never do them again!   The one test where I had the tube in for 24 hours was a piece of cake, the one where they move the tube up and down while you swallow water was the worst test I have ever done, I was in tears with that one, but it had to be done and the outcome from surgery made it worth it in the long run. 

I surely did not mean to scare you at all, I'm sorry.

Yes a hiatal hernia is when parts of your stomach enter the chest cavity, these are two of the tests I had done....

Barium X-ray. During this diagnostic test, you'll drink a chalky liquid containing barium that coats your upper digestive tract. This provides a clear silhouette of your esophagus, stomach and the upper part of your small intestine (duodenum) on an X-ray. A barium X-ray may help reveal whether the contents of your stomach are backing up into your esophagus.

Endoscopy. In this test your doctor passes a thin, flexible tube equipped with a fiber-optic light and video camera system (endoscope) down your throat and into your esophagus and stomach to check for inflammation. This not only can help detect a hiatal hernia, but also is the most sensitive way to check for damage to your esophagus from acid reflux.

The manometry test is very uncomfortable, they had me lying down, then they inserted the thin tube through my nose and down my throat, but as they raise and lower this tube several times you are sipping water through a straw....the uncomfortable part is getting the tube past your gag reflex.

This test took about 30-45 minutes.

Agian, I'm sorry for making you nervous, but this is 1 test I don't want to repeat.

If you have any other questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

My first ever, anywhere forum comment!!

I had an open, full Nissan wrap Dec. 2003.  In Feb 2005 it "slipped".  I have now had 3 motility test, 3 PH studies, 4 endoscopy procedures.  Being considered for repair.  Found out it "slipped" because I got an aspiration pneumonia in Feb, 2005, on a Vent for 3 weeks.  Mega doses of sterioids left me with diabetes, graves disease and just found out I have Avascular Necrosis of the Femur/hip.  So now need a hip replacement.

I am a nurse but my recommendations come from first hand experience and what helped me.  During any procedure that tubes are placed down nose or throat the biggest thing to remember is to breathe really deep, and slow!  In nose (one side is still open), and out mouth.  Also ask nurse or tech to soak the tube in ice water immedicately prior to procedure.  Makes insertion much easier.

 

I am a 40 yr. old who is seriously contemplating the Lap Nissan Fundo.  I am going to go the laprascopic route and am wondering how long I can expect to be 1. laid up in bed. 2. Unable to work, light duty included and 3. on a scale of 1-10, how bad pain wise was the post op recovery.  I already did all the testing, including the upper endoscopy and it confirmed that by stomach is sticking through my diaphragm into my thoracic cavity.  The hernia is pretty good size and the doc said because I lost 40 lbs. in about 7 weeks that I need to have it done soon.  Your help will be appreciated....Kurt

Thanks for the info.  Have you tried Gas-X, or Beano or any of the anti gas over the counter meds that are offered.....just a thought.  Again, thank you and that makes me feel a bit more confident in my decision to have the surgery.  Kurt

I had the surgery 7 years ago. I was 32 yrs old at the time. It has been a complete success. When I had the tube in for the 24hr test, I had over 700 episodes of acid reflux throughout the night. The doctor who performed the surgery went a little tight when he wrapped my stomach around my esophogus, it took 2 months for me to get back on solid food, but as I said, it's been worth it. I no longer get heartburn. The biggest thing is to try to stay away from carbonated drinks. They will make you feel bloated and could in time stretch your esophogus and put you back in the same position you were in before.

Concerning the fundo surgery...are any of you who have had the surgery experiencing more constipation because your insides are basically twisted.  What do the docs say about the motility of your gut if you have the surgery.

anotherday, how is it that they determined that you need the surgery??  I have reflux that is so terrible that my teeth are even having major problems from it.  They say that mine is the worst ever. Yet they say that I am not a candidate for surgery since I burp so much.

sillylilly, did they say that you could have the surgery??

I had the lap Nissen in 2005.  I can do everything that I did before, which for me isn't much because I have severe asthma.  I lost a good friend a couple of years ago to esophageal cancer.  He started out with Barrett's.  If I were you, I would run, not walk for a second opinion.  I did have a hiatal hernia, but it was a small one.  The main reason I had my surgery was because my physicians thought the reflux was triggering some of my asthma attacks.  It did help a little with the asthma attacks and with the reflux.  I do still take Nexium, but at least now I don't feel as if I have a sewer backing up in my throat. 

I know it's not a surgery they take lightly.  Have you had the ph probe yet?  What tests have they done?  I can't imagine that having this surgery would prevent you from running after some recovery time.  With you already having Barrett's, I would push for the surgery.

Carla

I had the surgery in Bangkok February of this year and feel great. I have been living in Thailand for a few years and whenthis problem would not go away I was glad that there were competent doctors here to do the open Fundoplication. I did not really have the option for laproscopic, but it turned out well. I do hav alot of gas and sometimes have problems swallowing, but it was all worth it. I have not had any problems with heart burn at all. It's amazing how it really does make a big difference in your life. It took me about 2 months to burp and that was a party in itself. Now life is pretty much normal. Yes sometimes things get stuck if I eat too quickly and yes I have alot of gas, but anyone that has had a successful surgery knows this is a small price to pay. I have a new zipper and a better life because of this. It is normal to be scared and everybody deals with it differently. You must make a choice and the best way to do that is get the most information as possible and talk to others. It helped me make my descision and I hope that if you are considering this then you will contact someone here to give you their personal stories and experiences with this surgery. Good luck to anyone dealing with this and for me. Thank God the heart burn and pain is gone.

dchem, first, I'd like to welcome you to healingwell.  Then, I'd like to encourage you to go to our posts about the Nissan Fundo.  There are 3 really good threads on it.  I am going to inclue the link to the 3rd one, which includes the previous two links.  Please read up on that, and you will get so much information. I encourage you to stick with us, as there is so much to learn here.  Please, stick around, share your recovery stories, and learn from others as well.  Here is the link... https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=1013068 If you click on that link, you will be taken to the 3rd thread.  The first topic in there is from me, and it provides links to both the 1st and 2nd threads. Hope it helps you!

Hi!  I'm a new member scheduled for surgery on Tuesday.  I would like to hear from anyone with information about how well the vocal chords and esophagus heal after the surgery or if additional meds are needed for that. mpr