What is up with the large amount of Nissen surgery failures??? Part 3 of 3

Posted on 6/13 by Dencha @ 9:13 AM

Hi Marie,
I'm a bit of a different case. After surgery I was on antibiotics, and later prednosone for a lung infection, then the flu. I have an EXTREMELY reactive stomach, so my family doc kept me on Protonix to calm the acid as my wrap healed.

I have continued the Protonix for that reason, and now am in the process of tapering that. My GI doc suggested taking one every other day for about a month, then quitting. So far so good. (I'm not taking them for reflux--as Bill said--just to ensure that my stomach isn't challenged with acid as it heals.)

My GI doc thinks I have a reactive stomach, rather than chronic gastritis. He doesn't think that I'll have trouble after I quit the Protonix. If I do, he said he'd revise his diagnosis and lean towards gastritis as the cause. Hopefully it won't cause problems, because I'd love to be off PPI's altogether.

I presume I may go on Protonix occasionally, when I'm taking meds that are more challenging to the stomach (antibiotics, prednosone, etc.).

I am so glad I had the surgery...what a difference it has made in the health of my lungs. The bonus--GERD free as well! When I go visiting, I don't have to bring my wedge and pillow pile to raise my head up to nearly sitting. I can actually sleep laying down! When I eat a big meal, I don't start coughing and wheezing.
Wish I had done it sooner.
Just be sure you choose your surgeon very carefully. It's the most important thing you can do!
Take care,
Denise

Hi Marie,
(and thanks, Kitt, for starting a new thread...they get pretty buried!)

Yes, I believe the most important thing you can do is choose your surgeon wisely. I don't know just how many surgeries they should have under their belts--I heard once at least 100. Mine had done over 300.

I trusted my GI doctor to recommend a good surgeon, and was impressed with his beside manner and answers to my questions. I also checked him out with other medical professionals I knew.

There are lots of people posting online who had their surgeries botched by poorly trained surgeons, who should never have been doing the surgery. Once it is done wrong, it's much harder to fix it. (Witness Bill's 3 week hospital stay and holes in stomach because of a surgeon who didn't do the wrap properly.)

My surgery was done in a teaching hospital, so I stipulated to my surgeon that I wanted HIM to do the surgery--not his resident. The resident asssisted, but the surgeon did the actual wrap. He did a great job, and I'm very pleased with my result.
Good luck, Marie!
I'll be happy to answer any additional questions you might have!
Denise

Yup, Bea--your club is getting pretty popular! I guess we're some satisfied members! Hopefully those people surfing the web looking for answers will join us and ask for support!
Take care and have a good night.
Dress rehearsal tomorrow...wish Captain Andy luck!
LOL...talk to you soon.
Denise

Janice...always thinking of you! Good luck!

Forgot to mention, I think the wrap isnt working because my surgeon, during the 1st post-op endo, heard me say, "I've not burped since surgery" , and stretched me.......  Problem is it wasnt a complaint.... just an observation.