Looking forward to WRAP

I want to thank everyone here who has posted and shared their thoughts and recommendations regarding GERD and hietal hernia troubles. After lurking here for over 2 years, I decided to take the plunge. A little bit about me. I am a 42 yr old male who has had a hietal hernia and GERD for over 7 years. I have been very active until about a year ago. I weigh 150 lbs and can still run a mile in about 6 minutes. In fact, running seems to help my stomach woes by pushing the food through my system. Also, I have found that running lowers my blood pressure for a few hours.

My symptoms seem to be worse at night while lying down even though my bed is elevated by 5 inches and I use double pillows. I try to eat dinner at 4 pm and then go to sleep at 9 pm. Yet still I have made numerous ER visits due to the inability to breathe. I suffer daily from throat spasms, increased heart rate, reflux, etc. I currently take 40 mg of Nexium and 40mg of high blood pressure medication. I was previously prescribed nitro and will take it when I experience a severe breathing episode.

I have been fighting the fight for so long but have finally given up and have succumbed to having this surgery. Almost every night I jolt awake gasping for air and think I am having a heart attack. I can feel my heart pounding away in my chest. I am afraid that one of these mornings I will not wake up. I cannot and refuse to live the rest of my life like this, so I have decided to give the WRAP a try.

After reading many of your experiences, it seems like recovery will be a very difficult and long journey. I have two major concerns. First, I currently drink 1/2 gallon of water in the morning (in about an hour) to fight constipation. Will this surgery affect my ability to consume this much water? Secondly, I have a big appetite and have noted that my consumption will drastically decrease post surgery. Did anyone struggle to quench hunger pains after surgery? Did your eating habits go back to normal (pre surgery) after 12 months.

I am meeting with my doc on 1 Aug and he will then refer me to a surgeon. I am going to beg the surgeon for the first available surgery date. He is supposed to be the best surgeon in our area. Any advice would be welcomed.

txman-- My wrap is scheduled fo the end of August. I foolishly delayed my decision for many years. I'm 48 years old. I had my first choking reflux attack when I was 24 years old. After 6 ER visits ( 3 in the past year) I decided that I had had enough. Good for you for deciding to go ahead and have the surgery. This site has been instrumental in putting me at ease. I've heard so many success stories on this site. Nissen patients seem to be very grateful for having had the surgery.