I had the lapro nissen fundoplication surgery done in January 2007. I regret having the surgery because afterward I still had reflux, and I had a new problem which was the inability to swallow. I had to go back to my Dr. twice to stretch my esophagus. I still experience problems with dysphagia and sometimes aspiration (saliva doesn't want to go down, so it tries to go into my airway). My stomach always feels strange and I can feel a slight twinge where my wrap is. I can belch some and I have been able to vomit a little when I was sick recently. Overall the purpose for me getting the surgery done, which was to completely elimitate my reflux, was fruitless. I would recommend reducing stress, taking medications, and using a wedge pillow for as long as possible!
However, if you have recently done the surgery there are a few things you can do to get proper fluids and nutrition. Make sure your meals are hot or warm. Heat expands the esophagus and helps the food to go down easier. Even cold liquids are harder to swallow than warm liquids. Avoid anything with bread in it!! Bread for some reason gets stuck easier. Eat small bites and chew very thoroughly before swalling (almost making the food liquid in your mouth before swalling). Eat slowly. It is bettery to eat slowly than to experience the uncomfortable feeling of your food trying to come back up until if finally goes down. It does get better after a few weeks, unless your surgery was done too tight, after which you will have to get a dilatation to stretch the wrap. When they did a dilatation on me the first time, the Dr. said he heard something "pop", which may have been one of the sutures from my surgery.
Surgery should be a last resort in extreme cases. The best design is the way God made us, and man's interventions will never be quite as good as His perfect design.