Posted 12/14/2015 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hello!
about 14 years ago, I had a Nissen Wrap. Several years ago, my symptoms returned. An EGD revealed that my wrap had slipped. The surgeon who did the EGD said that there was no place near where I live that did redos at that time (I live in Southeast Iowa). He stated that Creighton University in Omaha, or Mayo Clinic in Rochester would probably be the closest. I decided to wait, and just try to control my symptoms through diet and medications. about 4 years ago, I learned that I had Osteopenia (thinning bones), probably partially from heredity, and also from long term use of PPIs at high doses. I tried going off the PPIs for awhile, but ended up going back on 20 mg of Prilosec about 2 years ago, when my husband had been diagnosed with cancer and I was under a lot of stress.
During the past couple of years, my symptoms have gotten progressively worse. Then, about a month ago, I had another EGD. It revealed that I have Ulcerative Esophagitis, and that the Nissen has slipped to the point that the surgeon could not even tell that it had ever been done. The surgeon (same guy) is again trying to refer me to Creighton or Mayo. Even though this surgery is now performed by doctors locally (he among them), he feels that they have not had sufficient experience. I think that this is possibly because I am overweight, and carry a great deal of the excess on my abdomen. I have explained to him that with the situation with my husband's health, Omaha or Rochester had might as well be on the other side of the world. Of course, this would not just be one trip, as there would be tests and then follow-ups following the surgery. We are at the University of Iowa on a regular basis for my husbands treatment. I finally persuaded the surgeon to make a referral there. He reluctantly did this, saying that they probably don't have much of a volume of cases like this! He added that if the surgeon isn't careful in this type of surgery, he might end up having to remove the esophagus! I had contacted a thoracic surgeon there prior to my appointment with him just to see if he would be willing to do the surgery. My local surgeon did not seem to care for this idea, either, saying that a thoracic surgeon would be inclined to go in through the chest. I needed a GI surgeon who was skilled with laproscopic surgeries.
I have an esophogram scheduled in Iowa City for this Tuesday, followed by an appointment with a GI Surgeon scheduled on Wednesday. I know that many of you have had Redos on this type of surgery. I am wondering, what types of questions should I be asking? Also, what type of recovery period should I expect following the surgery? I would appreciate any input that any of you can give me.