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Posted 6/15/2004 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
I am having the nissen done in two weeks. I have suffered from GERD for over twenty years and the medications are not working anymore. How quick is the recovery and is the "unable to belch" problem a big deal? I would like to hear from anyone who has had this done. Thanks.
Posted 7/28/2004 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
After my first nissen fundoplication, which was done lapriscopically, I did have a little trouble with belching.  Unfortunately, the repair that I received with this surgery only lasted about 3 months.  All the symptoms returned and I went back to the surgeon.  The wrap had slipped and was no longer working.  I then scheduled a second surgery, this one had to be done as the open procedure.  I had it done in March and so far so good.  I still have a little trouble with belching, but vomiting is a no go.  Good luck!!
Posted 9/14/2004 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
This is a topic I know well.  I had a Nissen fundoplication done 7 years ago.  The only time I regret having it done are the times I get sick at my stomach.  You'll never be able to vomit again.  I won't lie... it's rough going when you get nauseated and my best advice is to get to the E.R. right away.  I've had to make two trips in 7 years to the E.R.  Once you're there, they'll fill you full of anti-nausea medication.  Over the years, I have kept Phenegran suppositories on hand to use in case I got sick but have since discovered a medication called Zofran.  Zofran is an anti-nausea medication that dissolves in your mouth and knocks the nausea out almost immediately.  It's great stuff and just kept me from having to make yet another trip to the E.R. just last week.  Have your doctor prescribe something for you to keep on hand in case you ever get sick at your stomach.

As for the recovery, I guess I felt like my old self after 3 months.  I was in the hospital for three days and was home from work for two weeks.  I lost about 10 pounds from not being able to eat a whole lot, but have since put it back on.  You'll have to remember to eat small meals throughout the day.  No more overloading your stomach!!

 It's been great not having hearburn and for that I'm grateful.  It's the nausea thing that's so bad about the whole thing.  My doctor has assured me I had no other choice, however.  I guess the trips to the E.R. when I get nauseated are better than having to go because I developed worse problems from not having had the surgery. 

I hope this helps.  Good luck.

Posted 9/28/2004 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I am new to this board, and I have a question regarding the fundo surgery. Did any of you who had the surgery have to have the esophageal motility test and the 24hr ph acid test done first? And did you have to have positive results proving you had reflux? Just wondering because I have all the burning symptoms, but all my test results are pretty much normal. I currently take PPIs everyday, and still have nasty symptoms.
Sari
Posted 9/29/2004 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
I had to go through all the tests as well. I think the tests showed that I had some reflux but it was the endoscopy that made up the doctors' minds that I needed the surgery. The pictures taken during the endoscopy showed ulcers in my esophagus. I took meds every day before the surgery and still had heartburn. I've been medication free up until this month (7 years). My doctor told me the other day that they've discovered over the years that the surgery doesn't prevent heartburn; it only reduces the symptoms in conjunction with medication. Chances are you'll still have to take medication. Good luck!
Posted 10/1/2004 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
Lynn,
Thank you for the information. I have all the burning symptoms, but they did not find any erosions or ulcers in my esophagus. I already take aciphex everyday. I am just so scared that I will end up with barretts esophagus or some kind of damage since I am still having symptoms even while on the aciphex. My gastro doc simply says he cant do anymore for me. It is so frustrating. Thank you again for the info.
sari
Posted 10/6/2004 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
I UNDERWENT A NISSENS FUNDOPLICATION 13 DAYS AGO IN UK. MY OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE OP IS: HEART BURN NIL/NOTHING. INDIGESTION IS NOW NON EXISTENT. TAKING NO ACID MEDS AT ALL!!!! MY ONLY DIFFICULTIES ARE, SWALLOWING( FOOD SEEMS TO BECOME STUCK, AND TAKES A WHILE TO SHIFT) CAUSING A BIT OF PANIC!!. SURPRISINGLY INTENSE PAIN IN MY LEFT SHOULDER( ESPECIALLY WHEN BURPING) AND PRETTY CONSTANT.MY ONLY OTHER PROBLEM IS NAUSEA..... FEELING SICK AND TRYING TO BE SICK ARE A NO NO, AS I DONT THINK IT IS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE AND THE PAIN IS UNBELIEVABLE.THOUGH I SEEM TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS THE BENIFITS OUT WEIGH THESE. IT IS EARLY DAYS, SO I WILL KEEP ALL POSTED. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PLEASE.
Posted 10/7/2004 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
The pain in your shoulder is more than likely gas pains.  I get those periodically but they soon pass.  I still have trouble swallowing sometimes.  I've had to learn to eat more slowly and smaller, more frequent meals.  That helps a lot!  Don't ever be in a rush and eat at the same time and don't ever overload your stomach.  I've learned that the hard way!!  nono    Keep it simple.  You'll never be able to throw up again.  Make sure you have some kind of anti-nausea medication close by for the times you do get nauseated.  Otherwise, make sure you go to the hospital right away.  I've had to make two trips in seven years to the emergency room.  They'll fill you full of stuff to stop the nausea.  I always feel pretty yucky for several days after one of those episodes, but that passes. 

I hope this helps.  You'll learn what you can safely eat and what you can't and how much your stomach can hold.  Like I said, just keep it simple!!  Good luck!

Posted 10/10/2004 7:21 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Lynn,

Thank you for your reply, its nice to hear of other people that have been through the same proceedure, its early days yet and a long time until Im seen at the hospital again. I must say the pain in my shoulders has improved with a little help from painkillers :-) . My biggest problem is the nausea, I have suffered many bouts of this, running to the bathroom to be sick and then realising it is not possible. At this time the pain in my shoulder is excrutiating and unbearable, which I find quite scary sad . I am trying to forsee these episodes, so that I can take the anti-emetic before it starts. I had the proceedure carried out Laparoscopically and the wounds, five of them are healing well, although there is an annoying stitch poking out of each one which are impossible to keep my prying fingers off tongue . I am 26, I believe that this is quite young for this op. Many thanks for your comments.

Posted 10/10/2004 9:52 PM (GMT 0)

I am new here and it is good to see how everyone is doing after there Nissens. I am 33 years old with 2 wonderful kids. I am looking at having the Nissen done as the Reflux is so bad now it is affecting my job and family  confused  . I am taking Protonix twice daily as well as lots of Rolaids and still have the relux. I just had a PH Test done this week and go to the doctor Wednesday to find out the results. The only thing I know is the composite score was 27. What do I need to know before going to the doctor Wednesday to assist me in making this decision? 

Thanks for the advice.

Cindy

Posted 10/10/2004 10:42 PM (GMT 0)

My surgery was so long ago, that I can't remember exactly everything they looking for.   I know they look for a weak LES valve and other things.  The tests are pretty hairy.  Anyway, if my memory serves me correctly, the determining factor in my case was that I had ulcerations in my esophagus.  I'm happy 99% of the time that I had the surgery.  The only time I'm not happy is when I get nauseated, which isn't very often.  Just watch what you eat and eat small meals.  Don't overload your stomach.  I made my first mistake the year after I had my surgery.  I ate too much one Christmas Eve and wound up in the emergency room later that night getting filled with drugs to stop the nausea!  No fun.  Good luck, and take care. tongue

Posted 10/12/2004 6:33 PM (GMT 0)

I just found this board today as I began my search for answers.  I had my nissen fundiplication and a hiatal hernia repair done in 1995, when I was 30 years old, after having the whole battery of tests including the Upper GI series, 24-hour ph test (miserable!) and even a stomach emptying test.  At that time the gastro said that my stomach did not empty as it should, but felt the fundiplication would solve my problem.  Well after the years passed by, I started having the same old symptoms of heartburn again back in 2000 and have been taking prevacid/prilosec/protonix with no success.  Everything I eat hurts my esophagus and I always have heartburn.  Last week I started having what I thought were cardiac chest pains and went to the ER.  After an EKG and stress test, they determined my heart was fine.  I asked to be seen by a Gastro, and he decided to scope me again because of my history.  He said the results of my scope showed that the fundiplication was still intact, but that I had an inflammed and irratated esophagus.  I am supposed to have a Esophogeal Motility Test done this week.  Does anybody have any idea of how this could happen since the fundiplication is still doing it's job?  Could it be related to the stomach emptying problem, or something worse (Barretts or Achalasia)?  I would appreciate any feedback before I go back for the motility test.

Bill 

Posted 11/23/2004 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
I had so called GERD for 3 years. Doctors with their tests and PPIs were of no help. It seems to me they don't have a vague idea what GERD is. A month ago I stumbled on a book on vegetables. In one of the chapters I read about sour kraut ( fermented cabbage ) and its beneficial effects on intestines. I ate one 1liter jar ( that may be too much for someone after fundoplication ) of it per day before meals for 10 days. I don't want to say that this therapy made away with my problems completely but one thing is sure: I don't have burning throat and bloating, belching and burning in my stomach subsided considerably. Make your sour kraut yourself from organic cabbages in the following way: 1. chop your cabbages 2. put the mass you obtain in a large enameled container in a few layers adding some salt to each layer and pressing until the chunks of cabbage give out juice (you should use 1/10 kg of salt for a 12 liter container). 3. Put some wooden plate and weight on top so the stuff stays compressed. 4. Cover with some mesh made of cotton and leave to ferment for about 2 weeks in a worm ( 10-18 degrees Celsius) place where the stink of gases won't bother you. After 2 weeks your sour kraut is ready. Take off the mould that often occurs on the surface. Don't get rid of the juice. Drink it with your sour kraut. This recipe worked for me. There is another one on http://www.happyherbalist.com/sour_kaut.htm. If you live in Chicago go to a Polish deli and ask them about sour kraut made with traditional methods. They should have it in barrels with a lot of juice. I don't know what is the value of sour kraut available in food chainstores ( I did't go for it because of additives used in mass produced food) After drinking the juice or eating a lot of sour kraut don't go away from home as it is almost sure you'll get short lasting diarrhea (start the teraphy on the weekend). Try the above recipe. It won't hurt you. Stop eating foods containing sugar. Give up coffee, coke and fatty foods for a while. Good luck.
Posted 11/25/2004 10:42 AM (GMT 0)
I am new to this and don't know where exactly I'm supposed to write(?) My aopologies if I've done it wrong!
Anyway I have learnt a lot from reading your letters (sugarberry) on the forum. Thanks!

I live in the UK and have had reflux problems for the last year. After two endoscopies and the acid test (tube down throat for 24 hours) it has been suggested to me that I could benefit from Nissen's Fundoplication.
I read what you said about not being able to vomit and am obviously concerned about this. Does this happen to everyone who has this op? Also I find alcohol even in small amounts difficult to tolerate at the moment - did this change after your operation? I am not a heavy drinker but simply enjoy a glass or two. Does anyone else who reads this have any comments?
Thanks
Yann
Posted 7/19/2005 1:49 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Georgi,

Im due to have the same operation! How are you doing after the surgery?

Please email me [email protected]

Thanks

Lee

Georgi said...
I am having the nissen done in two weeks. I have suffered from GERD for over twenty years and the medications are not working anymore. How quick is the recovery and is the "unable to belch" problem a big deal? I would like to hear from anyone who has had this done. Thanks.

Posted 7/19/2005 1:53 PM (GMT 0)

scotty26 said...
I UNDERWENT A NISSENS FUNDOPLICATION 13 DAYS AGO IN UK. MY OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE OP IS: HEART BURN NIL/NOTHING. INDIGESTION IS NOW NON EXISTENT. TAKING NO ACID MEDS AT ALL!!!! MY ONLY DIFFICULTIES ARE, SWALLOWING( FOOD SEEMS TO BECOME STUCK, AND TAKES A WHILE TO SHIFT) CAUSING A BIT OF PANIC!!. SURPRISINGLY INTENSE PAIN IN MY LEFT SHOULDER( ESPECIALLY WHEN BURPING) AND PRETTY CONSTANT.MY ONLY OTHER PROBLEM IS NAUSEA..... FEELING SICK AND TRYING TO BE SICK ARE A NO NO, AS I DONT THINK IT IS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE AND THE PAIN IS UNBELIEVABLE.THOUGH I SEEM TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS THE BENIFITS OUT WEIGH THESE. IT IS EARLY DAYS, SO I WILL KEEP ALL POSTED. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PLEASE.

Hi Scotty,

Can you email me please!! [email protected]

Im due for Nissen Fundo in UK!! Can you let me know your story!!

Cheers

Lee

Posted 7/19/2005 5:49 PM (GMT 0)

Since writing last November I have been to a Chinese Doctor in Canterbury (Kent) and the result is that I have postponed the fundoplication.  My symptoms have dramatically reduced - NOT gone.  The main difference is that I recover much quicker, if I over eat.  Small meals are much better and I can drink much more - not that I consume a lot!  My email is [email protected] if anyone wants more info.

Regards

Yann (a.k.a Whitman)

Posted 7/20/2005 10:10 PM (GMT 0)

 Hi all,Nice to hear all your comments.

   I am now 6 months down the line after my fundoplication and everything seems great(touchwood).The pain in my shoulders has subsided and only appears on certain occasions particularly when I have my head in the toilet trying to be sick which does not happen and never will I am told by my doctor.

I am still taking anti sickness tablets(metoclopramide+domperidone)but I dont feel they are any trouble to take to stop that feeling.

 My heartburn before this op was so severe I could hardly function,now I have no heartburn what so ever and would recommend the op to anyone taking into consideration the negatives which are few.

The other problem i had post op was difficulty when swallowing, my food seemed to get stuck but I can say this passes after a couple of weeks.

I would like to say good luck to anyone that is going to have this op and dont suffer alone ,Keep up the posts.

Anyone that wants to ask me anything feel free to email me at mailto:[email protected]

Post Edited (scotty26) : 7/21/2005 9:35:55 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/21/2005 4:25 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Scotty, glad to hear your recovering well!

I was especially interested to hear about the pain you suffered in the left shoulder.  I’m 3 month post op and I have been suffering from some aweful pain in the WRAP area and this seems to trigger left side shoulder pain.  I'm told it's Dyaphramatic irritation, some sort of relayed nerve reaction.  Was yours much worse at 3 months than it is now and did you have any ongoing bad pains around the WRAP area?

Posted 7/21/2005 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Blasterboy,

 I can say to date I have had no pain in the wrap area, although I did suffer severe pain in my shoulder for a good 2 months. It is a lot better now and i only experience it when i'm trying to be sick and it really is an awful pain.

 I am sorry to hear you have this kind of pain too but I am sure it will settle down, I was told similar to you that the pain is caused mainly by irritation to the phrenic nerve which is caused by the gas that they inflate your stomach with during surgery.

 At the time its hard to believe that something as simple as that can cause so much discomfort, my doctor put me on tramadol painkillers which put me between a rock and a hard place, they were curing the pain but were making me feel sick so I couldn't win really so only perseverance pays off.

 My main concern at the moment is dreading the day I have a stomach bug as the trying to be sick episode is the worst feeling ever.

 Oh well have to go for now, hope i have helped a little.

Scotty

 

Posted 8/28/2007 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all. I am a 23 year old male and six days post-op of the Nissen Fundoplication.

I am a Music Education and Performance major, majoring in Voice and Piano. Though I have suffered from severe GERD for MANY years, it wasn't until a little over a year ago that I really became concerned with the damage it was causing. I was studying with my voice professor and I was having trouble with my vocal range...it seemed to have gotten smaller. Over our next few sessions, we both noticed that my voice was becoming "breathy" and "raspy" both when talking and singing. This continued for a few months until I could barely sing and was experiencing pain. Luckily here in Cincinnati we have the Professional Voice Center where a large majority of singers and other vocalists go when there is a problem. I made an appt. and on my first visit, the doctor performed a stroboscope and saw that I had severe burns on and around my vocal folds due to the back-splash of stomach acid which had also caused a tissue to begin to form between the folds, not allowing them to come together properly. After six months of vocal therapy there was no improvement and a second stroboscope showed that my condition worsened, and I had developed ulcers on my vocal folds.

From the very discovery of the damage my primary doctor and I had been treating the GERD with various medications that seemed to have a very minimal, if any affect. So about a month ago he referred me to the GastroInterologist. This doctor is amazing and excellent at what he does; he ordered a esophageal pH monitoring (a wireless system called Bravo). When the results came in, we discovered that the my acid levels were severe. He and I discussed my options of the Lap-Nissen or being on numerous daily medications for the rest of my life and I obviously opted for the surgery in an attempt to save my voice. So within a few days I had the Esophageal Manometry (the measure of the esophageal sphincters) and scheduled the surgery.

When I was awakened after surgery, I was horrified to find that I could not feel or move my hands! (Remember, I'm a vocalist and a pianist.) Turns out that due to the way the op team positioned me, I sustained nerve damage! This lasted for two days, then I slowly began getting the feeling and movement back. Today (the 6th day post-op) everything finished coming back and I have full feeling and use of my hands again...WHEW!

So anyway, it seems that the surgery went well other than the hand problem. I, too, am experiencing the severe left shoulder pain, but it seems to be slightly getting lighter. The only other major issue I am having is since yesterday, I have been experiencing severe nausea and fatigue. Today I feel like I've been hit by a steam roller. I plan on calling my doctor to see if he can give me something to control it. Though my diet isn't much at the moment, I haven't experienced any symptoms of reflux or heartburn. But again, is only been six days. My outlook is that if I have at least ten years of success, eliminated/extremely reduced symptoms and my voice heals, the the benefits by far outweigh anything else. To be able to sing opera (well anything) again will make me the happiest person alive. My incisions seem to be healing nicely, and I hope to return to work and school within the next week. My surgeon (different from my Gastro) is a very talented man and I commend him. I blame the nursing staff for the nerve damage, but all is well that ends well.


Winston
Posted 9/28/2007 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I am having the lap nissen done at the end of October. I have been reading the posts and noticed that people have problems with gas after the surgery? Is that permanent or temporary? My surgeon didn't mention that as a permanent side effect. Also I am concerned with the not being able to vomit situation? Not that i do it a lot, but sounds serious......I sometimes get sea sick or car sick............Any feedback is greatly appreciated. I will of course question my doctor too!
Posted 10/2/2007 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,
I had the open nissen surgery done in february and have been very happy with the results.  It did take quite some time to recover.  I did not have the option of laproscopic.  The only draw back is gas, but I will take that any day compared to the pain of acid burn.  No.  You cannot throw up, but this has not been a big problem for me.  I do still get food caught in my throat when swallowing, but it just reminds me to slow down and chew.  It did scare me at first, but with time you will adjust.  Luckily I have not had much if any nausia for some time.  I am aslo able to enjoy a few glasses of wine without the burning sensation I used to have.  That is very good news.  It does change your life, but in my opinion it is only for the better.  I am very glad that I had it done and would definatley do it again if I had to. it is alright to be scared and you should be it is a big sugery, but keep asking questions and weigh all of the options. Good luck to all.
Posted Yesterday 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
I had two lap nissen fundos.  The first was Dec 27 1999.  That seemed to be going well until this year.  In March/April I started having severe pain in between my ribs and couldn't eat.  I would vomit randomly. I went to my gastro who told me half my stomach was in my chest, that explained the chest pains, nausea, etc.  So he referred me to the top surgeon at University of Maryland.  I had the redo nissen, my esophagus lengthened and my diaphram sewn tighter closed.  I also had some sort of type sticking out to hold my stomach in place, drain and just in case they needed to go back in.  Recovery is going "ok".  Since this surgery and I started on liquids (after 3 days), I have diarrhea almost constantly.  Since the tube came out after 8 weeks, I have been almost constantly nauseous.  The doctor now has to do the upper endo (EDG) again.  Hopefully everything will be fine.  Has anyone else had this sort of problem?  My surgeon is the top surgeon for this at Univ of MD and he is doing everything right, I just want to see if anyone has the same problems and how they were resolved.
Posted Yesterday 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there dilbertsmom...welcome to healingwell...I would encourage you to start a new thread and introduce yourself, as you may get more replies. As you probably already seen, we have a lot going on with this topic, so please, feel free to go ahead, and read on those, if you haven't already, and I am sure you will find the encouragement, and support you need here! Stick with us!
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