8 wks after tif surgery

Hi

It will be 8wks after tif surgery on June 9th.

I am still having feelings of acid reflux.   That funny taste, kind of burning on the tongue.  Burning at the top of my stomach.    Some upset stomach.

I took carafate and PPI's dont know if any of that helped other than helping to heal

I am still taking my PPI and it doesnt even seem to work.   I really don't know what to think other than my surgery did not work.

I have a Drs appointment on Tues.   I am anxious to see what he has to say.

Thanks for listening.

Mitsie

Joy

I hope I didnt pop a stitch too.    I can't think of anything that I have done to do that.

Have no idea what the doc will decide to do.

Maybe I am jumping the gun but I dont really think so.

I will probably need to hunt a different doc.     I dont know about re-doing Tif surgery

joy

Yes I checked out UPMC hospital in pittsburgh,   I also saw where some TIF surgery was being used to correct the wraps done lap (like yours was done)    dont know how to spell it.

I live in Pa.   Think I will look for a different doc if I have to have this redone.   Probably in Pittsburgh,  I am not sure though.    I was thinking one of the people at the hospital told me my doc was teaching other docs how to do the surgery.

We will see maybe I am just slow to heal, but something doesnt seem right.

 

hi

Well I had the Barium swallow on thursday.   I dont really know the results but the Tech did say there was reflux.    I couldnt get him to say how much or anything, he just said I dont know I'm not the doctor LOL.    I am sure they are not supposed to tell anything to patients.

I am scheduled on Monday for the Scope to see what is going on.    

Hope its something simple.   Ha   I dont really think so though.

There are three top-rate hospitals in Pittsburgh for GERD surgery. Presbyterian and Dr. Luketich for wraps, Shadyside and Dr. Jobe I think does the TIF, did a lot of research on it anyway, and Passavant in the N. Hils Dr. Landrenau is noted. The last two studied and did research under Dr "Luke." You can look up their papers online, research the hospitals too.

If you come, expect to be put through the ringer for testing, unless maybe they will accept what you have already gotten done. It took me 4 1/2 months to get approved for surgery, and I had a big paraesophageal hernia!

 Mitsie how are you doing?  I just saw your post. 

 

You are not alone.  I think mine failed too.  I am not happy.  My Dr. put me back on my PPI's and I take Zofran every 6hrs.  I told him I thought we were supose to go off meds.  He said the only other option is the full stomach surgery.  Well, if this didn't work why would that work? No way am I even considering it at this point.

 

July 9th will be week 9 for me.   I am still having heartburn, acid reflex and am still

nauseous.

I am soooooo disappointed.  Anyone who is out there; if you had TIF when did you know it worked??

GERD11 

i had tif and trans esophageal fundoplication .done a week ago ...had suffered over 10 month with chronic cough vomiting and severe acid reflux,was diagnosed with Barrett disease and severe esophageal dis-mobility .....
now here i am in severe left shoulder pain ....some throat pain......the coughing has become minimal ...but I feel extremely weak ....
anyone who can tell me more I should have researched more before my surgery but I was so fed up coughing and the threat of throat cancer ...lost already 10 pounds ( i can easily loose 50 )i am trying to drink healthy stuff and a protein drink ....I live in Texas and the Doc who did my surgery explained things in detail fluids for 3 to 4 weeks then soft food or baby food for another 4 weeks its just he did not tell me about how bad the pain could be in my shoulders anyone know of any kind of relief

Post Edited (Ginger23) : 7/4/2010 4:57:08 PM (GMT-6)

Ginger 23,

I had terrible left shoulder pain for a good month.  I had diaherra  for a solid ten days! I think I lost 12 lbs during those days and was also very weak.  My doctor told me that I was his only patient who reacted this way!  He didn't know what to do with me.

It is a long road to recovery and harder for some more .  What really saved me was Jello (with sugar)  I would melt it in the micro. & drink it to take with my crushed meds.  It really helped with being weak.  I ate tons of pudding and Greek yogurt (which has 15 grams of protein).  Also, include the meal replacements and sip lots of Gatorade.  I stayed away from protein drinks; I wanted to make sure I was getting full nutrition bec/ I couldn't hold anything down.  It was coming out as fast as I drank it.  I remember those days all too well.  It wasn't a picnic as my Dr. also failed to mention.

Tomorrow will be week 9 and still have a little bit of shoulder pain and soreness in the general area that was operated on.  I am a sensitive and slow healer.  I still am getting acid reflex, heartburn and nauseous.  Once again, I am still not sure mine worked.  My surgeon will go in at 6mnths for a PH test and he'll determine from the results if it worked.  Be patient and good luck with your recovery.

Oh and I used heating pads on my shoulder and kept on the morphine bec/ it hurt a lot.

Take care.

Gerd11

Hi Mitsie and others - Yes, I went to UPMC Presbyterian to Dr. Luketich, who trained Dr Jobe and Dr Landrenau. Dr Luke is a great surgeon, but I never saw him the day of surgery or ever afterwards, only the minions. I was at Shadyside for the second attempt at placing the Bravo capsule, which was done by a nurse, badly, and failed after 24 hours. They wanted me to repeat, but Dr Luke said it wasn't even necessary as I had a paraesophageal hernia. I kept my own record of pH readings, times, what I ate - basically nothing since I was required to be off all acid reducers for 10 days before + also during the test - with a wide open LES! There are several webpages on these doctors, lots of general information on all the available types of surgeries.

I would go to any of these doctors again. I don't know the statistics of all, but Presby has 98% success and something like 20,000 cases, which is way higher than anywhere else.

For pain I found that the tramadol I take for fibromyalgia and arthritis worked alsmost as well as Vicodin. I stopped the Vicodin after only 2 days as it gives nasty side effects. Tramadol isn't very addicting, but watch out for muscle twitches if you take more than 2 or 3 a day, as this drug (and most narcotics) can cause serotonin syndrome.

GERD11 - Watch out when taking too much yogurt as this can cause diarrhea. Try getting some soup with no chunks. Vernor's Ginger Ale (no other brands) with the fizz heated out of it or let stand a day, helps keep up fluid volume and makes tummies feel better. I learned that one from my mom, used it on my kids, taught my DIL to give it to grandkids. Milk products can be a problem. Maybe try lactose-free milk.

I can't eat any processed foods, including soups, or any gelatin because they have too much sulfite. I made my own broth, took my own juices that I know are clean, to the hospital. My freezer was packed with my own cooked foods for when I came home, as I am alone almost all the time.

My problem was fairly unusual since I had a wide open LES because my stomach was stuck in my chest. I knew I seriously needed the surgery or I never would have put up with all the testing. I was in agony having to go without acid reducers for 2 weeks (total with test). I even called my GI doc to see if there was someplace else to go, but he insisted the best results are right here in the "Burgh." You won't have such a terrible experience since you have at least a little valve functioning! It's important to do the tests to find out what is really going on!!!

You won't see the doctor for the testing, just his nurse. She'll want you to sit up for manometry and Bravo insertions. I couldn't! She would have kept on trying forever and I would have continued pulling back. I had insisted a doctor be present, and they got a resident who said to let me lie down to have the things put in, then sit up for the tests. If you have the slightest gag problem (mine is the worst), tell her you want to lie down. Then you can't pull back and you'll get the tube and capsule in lots faster.

It's not fun, but there's no sedation needed and you can drive yourself home. You'll be glad when it's over and you'll be able to get the appropriate treatment for your individual condition.

As of right now I am scheduled for the scope, Bravo, Manometry and the Wire, at least that is what was written on my packet I received in the mail.      The papers I received in the mail said the procedure was being done by Dr Jobe so I am hoping that is the case.    I think the Drs like to do the scope so they can see what is going on down there.

I am thinking about calling as I need some directions.     I know how to get to the hospital but need to know where the East wing is located.   I suppose its very easy to find.

I dont know if I could get them to change their minds about the bravo and the wire.    If I get the wire that means I need to drive down the next day to get it removed.

cook143 i am right with you.i will also be having the suregry and i am to like freaking out.esp after reading all these post.but i do know that i cant keep going on like this day after day year after year,i meet the dr aug 25 to go ove details to set up my surgery.i wish you all the luck.please keep me updated and let me know how all goes.as i check this site everynight since i joined.good luck in your recovery

Well I had my TIF surgery today and got to come home. Iam sooooooo happy I had it done!I have never felt so good. NO acid coming up no sour bitter taste in my mouth. very little cough , very little hoarseness., no pain in my stomach. Just doing chic broth home make, and water. Dr mavrelis call check on me set up a office visit 15th  and will be going back to work 17TH. I never dream it be this easy after reading some of these post I almost was gonna back out. I highly recomend Dr. Peter Mavrelis .But Iam gonna be very care not to over do it. Thanks all you for you"re support.