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PPIs following Fundo Surgery?

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Posted 6/19/2010 7:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there gang,

Not been on for a while.... about 5 weeks post surgery now.  Have a question....

Did anybody stay on PPIs following surgery?  My surgeon said it wouldn't be necessary but I can't see how tightening the LES would also affect stomach acid production. Yes it would stop it travelling up and damaging the oesophagus, but not the actual stomach.

I'm still having lots of gurgling and gas problems and am having to restrict things from my diet.  Am wondering if I would still benefit from PPIs?

Haven't seen my surgeon/consultant for a follow-up yet, need to book an appt still, but does anybody have any experience of this?

Thanks,

Cheryl

x

Posted 6/19/2010 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I was on a PPI until week 6 of my recovery.

You're also still healing. Don't be in such a hurry with your body.
It takes time to fully recover from this surgery. I mean, they totally remodeled your digestion system. You're going to get all sorts of sounds and troubles until your body adjusts.

I'm at the six months mark and I get a gurgle and gas sometimes. It will fade away.

Joy
Posted 6/19/2010 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
I had my fundo 4 weeks ago, had a f/u endo with a slight dilitation at 3 weeks and the gi doc wanted me back on protonix as my stomach still looked a mess. The esophagus was better and my Barrett's is healing. yeah. I have to f/u with gi in a bout a month. Still only on full liquids with pasta and fish. I still tire easily and too have gurgling and gas. This will take time and don't be in a rush.
Posted 6/19/2010 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
The fundoplication was done to keep the acid out of the esophagus. If it works, and that can take several weeks, there is no reason to take PPIs anymore. GERD is not caused by an overproduction of acid but is acid getting into the esophagus. The stomach is supposed to be acid. We only took the PPIs to stop the acid because it was wrecking our esophagi.

But surgeons normally do warn that fundoplication does not necessarily mean complete success in stopping reflux, and many patients still need PPIs to keep the stomach non-acid.

Most of us were on liquids or very soft foods for a long time. I had to watch very carefully for 3 months and avoided chunks of beef for 6 months. I still avoid large pills, but then I never could swallow them before either.

Fundoplication will also not cure other esophageal problems like nutcracker, or in my case, food triggers/allergies/sensitivities. My stomach still heaves, trying to reflux, when I eat too much of any of my triggers.

I have had absolutely no remission in the gas and gurgling after 8 months, and I don't expect to. My "new valve" is good enough to keep me from burping much, so the gas has to go the other way out. The only solution is to avoid "gas producing foods." Forever. You can find good lists and explanations online.
Posted 6/21/2010 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everybody.  I didn't receive email notification of any replies so sorry I didn't come straight back....

Well I just don't know.... I saw the nurse for a follow-up after 3 weeks and she said eat anything, drink alcohol, no reason not to now.  I have never been told to take it as easy as some of you. 

I'm still eating smaller amounts, and avoiding bread and the worst gas producing foods.  I opted for the surgery so that I wouldnt' have to take meds or live on a restricted diet so I hope the gas thing will ease off after a while. Sounds like it does.

I do/did have some damage to the stomach lining due to over-acidity which is why I'm concerned that isn't healing.  No reason why it should without the PPIs - I get ulcer-type pains when I eat, or eat certain things.

Keeping a food and symptom diary for the appt I made with my surgeon/consultant this Friday.

Thanks again.

x

Posted 6/25/2010 10:22 AM (GMT 0)
Don't want to speak to soon, but since I wrote this first post, my gas pains seem to have stopped! I had a really bad bout on the Monday, followed by two ENORMOUS burps - like proper 7Up ones! - and then I've been fine since. Still passing some wind, but not as much, but the griping and gurgling has mostly stopped.

Off to see consultant in a minute so will report back!

x
Posted 6/26/2010 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
Well I saw my consultant yesterday. He is pleased with my progress and the gas does indeed seem to have passed.

I will have to go back on the PPIs for a trial period due to the burning stomach. I think one of the problems is that by eating a non-gas producing diet, I am now eating a largely protein-based one, which is very acid forming. This may just settle down once I can re-introduce more veg and carbs again.

Oh and I found out I had a 360 so very fully wrapped!

Thanks again.

x
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