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Upcoming Nissan Fundoplication

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/25/2011 11:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I am scheduled for a Nissen Fundoplication in 6 weeks.  I am having this done at Tampa General Hosp.  Has anyone here had it done there?  can you please tell me what to expect?  I have heard that some docs place an NG tube and foley catheter for surgery, mine didn't give me a straight answer about this.  I am one of those folks that want to know everything that is going to happen to me as I deal with it much better that way.   My doc also told me my BMI has to be at 26 before he will do the surgery, I am at 28 now. 

Posted 10/25/2011 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Floridagirl,

While I can't answer your question about Tampa General, I can welcome you to the Healing Well Forum! turn   If you're the type of person who likes to know what to expect, you're definitely in the right place.  Many here have had the surgery, so you can ask any questions you have and get a pretty good idea what to expect.  I had a Nissen in February 2009.

I journaled the first 19 days, so you might be interested in hearing what it was like for one post-Nissen recovery.  Here's the link:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

Just ignore the coughing references.  That was unique to my experience, as I had the surgery to improve my lungs.  They'd been badly injured from reflux.

Again, welcome to the Healing Well GERD forum!  You'll be a member of our Wrapped Club soon!

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 10/25/2011 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
His Floridagirl,

Welcome to this amazing site! You will learn so much here both before and after surgery. I am from NC so I can't answer about Tampa General. I did have a catheter in for some of the next day after surgery but I also had a hiatal hernia and an abdominal hernia fixed. I did not wake up with an NG tube but the doc did put one in to help with the air in my stomach. It was a relief at the time and did not bother me. They took it out after a few hours or so. Neither one are anything to be concerned about.

Welcome again!
Ryobe
Posted 10/25/2011 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
floridagirl-

I have had the NG tube with 2 of my 3 nissens and only had a catheter that stayed after surgery once. That was my last redo on 8/24/11. I had it still because I wasn't waking up and had extremely low BP after the initial surgery and they thought I was bleeding internally and took me back to the OR after 10 hours. Fortunately I wasn't, but they kept the catheter in for a day while I was in ICU.

The NG tube is a doctor's preference thing.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 10/26/2011 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Floridagirl

I am too.. a Florida girl that is.. I am in the middle about 3 hours from Tampa.. right on the Big Lake... I can not tell you what Tampa General is about, but I can tell you that you are welcome to come here to ask us anything you like.. someone will always get back to you and have an answer. I had my surgery done on the east coast and I was really more interested in how much experience my surgeon had performing this procedure. I am 62 years old and I had my surgery for hiatal hernia and Nissen Fundoplication on April 1 this year. I did not have a catheter or an NG tube that I remember. So if I had one it was removed before I went to my room from recovery. Also, as far as the BMI (I assume this is body mass index correct me if I am wrong), I have no knowledge of a doctor requiring a certain BMI as a prerequisite for surgery. You most likely will lose weight after the surgery. Most, not all, doctors have you on a full liquid diet for the first 2-3 weeks after surgery. Full liquid means chunks not desirable.. most here utilize a blender for most food during this period and find that they are quite satisfied. Some are able to go back to eating most foods within 3-4 weeks. It just depends on the doctor and how well your surgery goes and what your body can tolerate. At my age, I would so do this surgery again if it was necessary. I regained my life after this surgery. I am so grateful for this forum also. I was able to come here and make friends and they listened and responded and made me welcome. I asked questions and they answered.. there are few restrictions as far as questions go here. Throwing up all the way to diarrhea is not prohibited. We have all experienced that and worse and we know the people who come here need answers and a friend to talk to...
As James Taylor said...You've got a friend!!!!!

Stay with us and ask us all the things that you want to know but didn't' ask your doctor or ask us the things you should ask your doctor.. we can give you an indication of what you need to know before and after surgery...

Reach for the Sunshine... Rainbows will follow
Sandi turn tongue yeah turn tongue yeah
Posted 10/26/2011 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Floridagirl-
I also wanted to let you know about ideas for surgeons. The surgeon's experience and success is crucial for this surgery. I don't know if you have found this out about your surgeon or not. The more successful fundos they have done the better. Also I am wondering what tests you have had before deciding on the surgery? There are a couple that are very important to have before the surgery. Definitely want to have a manometry to make sure you don't have any hidden swallowing issues. Some sureons want a ph study or a barium swallow.

Take care,
Bill
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