What questions should I ask surgeon pre Nissen Fundoplication surgery?

I recommend that you see my surgeon in Celebration Florida for a consultation. My surgeon has no failures. There are so many people who have the Nissen wrap and do poorly postoperatively. I had a “Robotic-assisted gastroesophageal valvuloplasty with Vicryl closure of the hiatal hernia” over one year ago, and I found several people who have had the procedure, and we are all doing great. You won’t find many of us online because many people do so well that they go right off PPI’s.

Take a look at my thread (named in the quotes in the previous paragraph). I did lots of research before I made a decision on what surgery to have, and I included some links. I believe once you look at my thread, you will know what questions to ask. Another good reference in my link is a FB site where people join to discuss their problems with Nissen wraps, and they are trying to figure out what to do next.

During the Nissen wrap, the surgeon takes the stomach and wraps it around the esophagus. It can be too tight or lose. Some People can’t burp or expel gas - others have watch what they eat and still some live on liquids. It is a very difficult procedure to heal from. Some individuals do well for several years, then they get recurring symptoms, and undergo another wrap. Their stomach is again wrapped around the esophagus and you lose more of your stomach. At this point, it is like having bariatric surgery and you have to eat small meals, nothing greasy - otherwise they get sick. I have six small incisions and took it easy for several days. Before too long, I was up and about - but you can’t lift heavy items or exercise for three months. After that period,you are good to go. Our eating is not restricted at all.

In our procedure, the physician creates a valve between the esophagus and stomach which opens and closes when you eat. He closes the hiatal hernia with a patch. Any patches or sutures he uses are absorbed postoperatively.

It is a difficult decision to have the surgery. Then once you make the decision you have to figure out what surgery is best for you - all the while, you are in so much pain. I wish you the best.

Leo 77 and Billj - Nissen wrap question discussion”. In my thread, there is a link to a FB SITE called “Nissen Fundoplication Takedown”. I joined this site for a while and asked the same question, but I got no responses. You might want to join this site and see what type of issues these individuals have and it will give you insight to the procedure.

One issue that there seems to be is the wrap can be too loose or tight. The surgeon uses a boogie to help with this problem. I guess I would ask about this complication.

How long does your average person go without significant complications or redo’s. What type of complications are possible?

What type of diet do I have to be on postoperatively? From what I observed, many people find they are restricted in their diet postoperatively, which isn’t discussed.

The surgeon wraps your stomach around the esophagus. How much of your stomach do you lose?

These complications and more are why I advised you to see my surgeon to consider the valvuloplasty. I went through the same research before my surgery. There is another FB site that I was on called “The Wrap (Nissen fundoplication)” and “Nissen Fundoplication” which are support groups for people who have the procedure and are living with it.

If your hiatal hernia is small, you might want to consider the Linx procedure. The main issue with this device, is not all insurance companies cover it. There are threads here and also on FB.

I found a thread that you might find interesting called “For successful fundoplication members“. Search for it in the Google search located on the right hand side.

Go under the thread called

“7 Days Post Op - Hiatal Hernia/Gerd Surgery” cnrage is describing her 1-2 days postop valvuloplasty in Celebration Florida.

I wish you the best. Having surgery is a difficult decision, then you have to decide what type is surgery is best for you — all the while you are in lots of pain.

Post Edited (Yellow1955) : 11/24/2017 10:27:49 AM (GMT-7)