20+ years of GERD & now scheduled for surgery May 16

I am a 58 yo female suffering from extreme GERD since my 30’s. I have finally decided to move forward with a robot assisted Laporascopic Nissen Fundoplication as the PPI’s are no longer controlling my symptoms. I have Barrett’s Esophagus with dysplasia. My GI doc has encouraged me to see a surgeon for the past 10 years. The constant vomiting at night, coughing and hoarseness have finally gotten the best of me. I am a nurse and work in ASC administration. I probably know too much, but I am scared. My surgery is scheduled for May 16th at MUSC in Charleston, SC. I have read many posts on this forum. Please send me any advice and I will let you know how it goes.



Hi Mags, I added a little more to your title in hopes of you getting some responses, this forum tends to run a little slow at times.

Post Edited By Moderator (straydog) : 5/6/2018 9:27:47 AM (GMT-6)

Has anyone had the pH study done? How is it with the NG tube down for 24 hrs?

Hi Mags:

I had the BRAVO pH study, with the sensor that attaches in back of your throat, prior to my surgery as well as the manometry.

As far as your impending surgery, don't expect too much too quickly. Make sure you follow the diet that your surgeon suggests. I used the UPMC post-Nissen diet, and it was really helpful. I also had my surgery via robotics with only an overnight stay. I experienced very little pain, and took medication the day that I returned home and that was it. You will experience gas, so you should walking as soon as you are able. Keep on hand an anti-gas medication with simethicone. Make sure that you surgeon prescribes an anti-nausea medication, I use Zofran. I still use it on occasion for waves of nausea four years later and I keep it on me at all times. You will need to eat 6-8 small meals a day and chew everything to a liquid consistency. Watch your sugar and dairy consumption, in the beginning. During your recovery, it's normal to experience small setbacks on the way. My biggest complaint was that I felt exhausted.

Let me know if you have any other questions,

Good Luck, Sharon

By the way the tube for the 24 hr ph test was not horribly uncomfortable, just itchy on the back of my throat, I was able to eat and drink normally.

Do NOT lift anything more than a gallon of milk
No squatting, I had to crawl to clean out the litter boxes lol

I have resumed my housework but no scrubbing bathtubs mopping or vacuuming

Expect to feel some fatigue .. yesterday I slept almost 4 hours during the daytime It comes and goes

Take a multivitamin .. I am still crushing my medications

BE SURE TO GET POTASSIUM ... I am still suffering some leg cramps

Almond milk is fantastic with WHEY powder (strawberry)

On the way to the hospital- very nervous. I will post again ASAP. Thank you all. Wonderful information- i feel like I have friends that have been through this now!