Is there ANYONE out there who still had reflux post-Nissen, but improved or resolved with time?

Sorry I've missed your other posts.  Welcome to Healing Well!  I'm assuming you're early in the recovery process, but I don't know when you had your surgery.

If you can update me on that, as well as your troubling symptoms, I'll try to give you my point of view regarding your situation.

Denise

How long post op are you?

In the early stages I had "reflux" and was very worried about it.  I was told that it could be either:

1. in the early stages reflux is actually possible, which is why some surgeons kep their patients on PPIs for a while post-surgery

2.  The esophagus is a "dumb organ" and interprets all pain as reflux.

3. Food/drink/medication held up at the wrap can irritate the esophagus and make it report "reflux" because that's what it thinks everything is!

Wish there was a shortcut to healing, but it's a long process and it takes lots of patience and trust.

Best wishes!

Denise

Yes, my reflux feelings did resolve over time, and yes, I took PPIs throughout my recovery time.

My recovery was unique in that my main reason for surgery was the effect of reflux on my lungs.  Therefore my asthma and PCP docs were and continue to be very conservative with my treatment.

Keep in mind that surgery will not bring your reflux to zero.  If that were the case you would not be able to swallow food.  Since I've read that you refluxed large amounts of acid/food, I'm very confident that you will find success with your surgery.

People like me, with atypical symptoms are the ones who tend to continue to have issues post-op, because we're very sensitive to small amounts of reflux.

I'd be willing to bet that your "reflux" feelings are very likely related to food/liquid/meds being held up at the wrap site, irritating your esophagus and even traveling up your esophagus.

If you had a competent and experienced surgeon, I don't think you have a thing to worry about.  At Day 9 you need to be relaxing into your recovery and surrendering to the path it takes.  Just follow along for the ride!

You can drive yourself crazy worrying about symptoms at the stage of recovery you're in.  This recovery takes time, patience, and trust.  Try to go with the flow. 

Happy healing!

Denise

I think that is a very wise choice.  Some surgeons recommend it, to provide the healing upper GI a chance to heal.

Hope you're having a good day.

Denise

I can tell you that after my surgery when I got reflux symptoms I didn't find many more experienced Nissen patients who had experienced what I described.  This made me much more fearful that I was experiencing the symptoms of a failed wrap.

I called my surgeon's office and spoke to him directly.  He assured me that "anything is possible" during the healing stages of a Nissen, and that indeed, some reflux can escape when the swollen wrap doesn't seal the opening properly. 

I don't know if you had LPR/atypical symptoms, but I am a strong believer (from my years of experience talking with members and exploring the topic online) that those of us who had atypical symptoms are far more sensitive to any small amount of reflux that makes it into our esophagus. 

People with typical GERD symptoms that are bad enough to require surgery are used to high quantities of reflux and even food flowing into their esophagus.  They aren't necessarily as sensitive to small quantities.  This may be the reason that post-Nissen reflux complaints are not as common on these boards, since those people are the majority who are led to Nissen surgery.  Just a theory.

Still, I assure you that early reflux sensations are not an indication of a failed surgery.  If you read other posts, you can see that things do improve over time.  This surgery takes more than a few weeks for recovery.  It's a long-term issue, and you need to give it time.

If you have symptoms and irritations that have bothered you for years while you experienced reflux, they will not heal overnight. My lungs took a full two and a half months to show improvement.

Take your PPIs, surrender to the path your recovery takes, and let it happen.  Just follow where it takes you, without struggling against what is.  You will heal, and you'll feel better.  It takes time.

Happy healing,

Denise

First, you'll never find a reputable surgeon who will touch your wrap until you've had a sufficient healing period.  Nobody is going to take you back to the OR and tighten your wrap.  They'll all tell you the same thing...wait and see.  You really have no choice but to sit back and let it happen.

I don't think many GI docs mention LPR.  You're more likely to hear about that from ENTs and asthma docs/pulmonologists.  I don't really think GI docs know what to do with LPR symptoms.  They certainly don't trust that Nissen surgeries will improve them, although many of us are walking proof that Nissens do help.

Do you have the head of your bed elevated still?  If not, you should. 

From my experience here at the forum, I do find that once healing has had a chance to do its work, sleep is improved.  However, keep in mind that insomnia can be a learned condition, and will take time to subside after you have healed enough to leave behind surgical pain and symptoms.

I am a believer of adjusting to what is.  In my case my surgery made a huge improvement in my health and quality of life.  Am I perfect?  No.  Am I 99% better? Absolutely.  Some symptoms you had prior to surgery may persist, because they were unrelated to your GERD. 

I can't overemphasize the importance of patience in this recovery.

It will get better.

Denise