Nissen Fundoplication Surgery

I have been living with this dreaded disease for over a year.  I have tried everything from DGL licorice, acupuncute, probiotics, slippery elm, and of course all the PPI's (you name them I have been on them, even the double doses and supplementing them with the Zantac 300 at night).  I just had my gallbladder removed almost four weeks ago and the gerd is back with a vengeance and can't take it anymore, as I am literally on fire and the chest pain is unbelievable.  In fact, in Mar/April my gerd was so bad the acid got in my lungs and was on everything (Advair, Methylprednisone, Singulair) and sick as a dog.  I know I have a small sliding hiatal hernia and I got the results of my esophageal manometric test (this test is a nightmare in itself).  The surgeon thinks I would greatly benefit from this surgery (but you know they always say that I am sure), its like a pilot who loves to fly they are always ready to get into a plane.  I am scared because my surgery is this Wednesday and pray to God I make it thru.  Again, with reading everything on the internet about the surgery it really does scare me but I know I can't live like this either.  I feel as if I have been dead for over one year.  This illness has compromised my life and I couldn't even work anymore.  I have read many posts where people have posted their experiences but I wonder what has happened to many of them and if they are happy with the results.  I know this surgery isn't a walk in the park but living the way I have been living is no say to live either.  I would appreciate if people who have had the surgery to please comment.  Thanks, Barbara....

Thanks Tammy for the support!!! Yes, I am very scared and will describe my experiences post operative on the Gerd board.  I just hope some people can post their past experiences either good or bad.  Thanks again, Barbara..

Carla, thanks for taking the time to answer some of my questions.  Yes, I can relate to the sewer backing up and not a pleasant feeling. I am so tired of this illness, I haven't even been able to hold a job because of it.  I am a secondary teacher and there is no way I could handle a classroom full of teenagers with this gerd illness.  I am very scared about eating after the surgery.  The surgeon told me he wanted me on a liquid diet for about 2 weeks and then for about 2 more weeks soft foods like mashed potatoes, oatmeal, stuff like that.  He said definately no meat for at least 5-6 weeks after the surgery depending on how I do.  I am scared about the food wanting to get stuck.  Does it feel as if one will choke?  I know this sounds like a dumb question but do I try to wash it down, keep swallowing, or try to cough it out if it gets stuck?  If I may ask, how come you still have to take Nexium?  The surgery didn't completely get rid of your gerd?  Also, I have heard about those esophageal spasams (sp), did you ever get any of those?  I tell you, I am so scared but I can't keep living like this either.  I feel as if I have been dead for over one year (I have been having severe gerd since June 06).  I just hope/pray that I don't live to regret my decision.  I know many people are happy with the results and some end up having more problems (the not being able to burp/vomit thing scares me too).  The gasto doctor told me I was in good hands and that my surgeon specializes in the lap method.  He is very young though but he did a fellowship in laproscopic surgery and he also removed my gallbladder almost 4 weeks ago and it went ok but the gerd came back with a vengeance.  In fact, he said my other gastro doctor was old school because he was always against the Nissen procedure but I know "old school" has probably seen his share of doozies.  I really appreciate your insight and hope other people will share their experiences.  Thanks again, Barbara...

Hello All,

This is FYI only..........................................................

82% of the patients who responded  to a study from 1992 - 2002, evaluating their quality of life post surgical, reported  the preoperative reflux symptoms were gone.  94% were satisfied with the result and would undergo surgery again.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic fundoplication is a safe antireflux therapy resulting in high levels of patient satisfaction and near-normal quality of life in the long term. ^{Reference: Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Technique}

Barbara,

No, you won't be able to wash the food down when it gets stuck.  I recommend sitting straight up or even standing up if it happens.  You won't be able to get any water down on top of what is already there.  I am not trying to frighten you, just to let you know that you may be scared to death for a few seconds that seems like much longer when/if this happens to you.  It gets stuck down in your esophagus and there is just nothing you can do about it.  Eat slowly, very slowly.  Don't try bread for awhile.  As for your question about coughing it out, it's down too far in your esophagus.  Don't try that, you might really get choked.  I assure you it will work its way on down.

I really think you will be glad you had this surgery done, I know I am.  As far as why I am still taking Nexium, I can still get a little bit of reflux.  I think I mentioned that I had a hiatal hernia repair at the same time.  Because of my asthma, I think I got a bad case of bronchitis before my hernia repair had time to heal well, so now I have a sliding hiatal hernia, which also allows some leakage.  Because of being diagnosed with epilepsy just last summer and being in a teaching hospital several times and having to give my history many times, I did ask several different ones if it was normal for people to still take Nexium after having the lap Nissen.  I was told they see it all the time.  I also still have a bad habit of eating late at night, which I am able to do now and I'm sure the Nexium helps with that and I can't afford to have any reflux trigger an asthma attack.

You will be sore for a few days from the incisions, but it's not too terribly bad.  The main part is the tightening of the esophagus.  Just remember, they would not send you home from the hospital if they thought there was any chance whatsoever that you might choke to death.  When/if it happens, remember me telling you that it's not going to last very long and you will live through it.  The food will move on down and then take a smaller bite the next time.

I am here if you need me.

Carla

Carla, thanks for reassuring me about the surgery.  I think I am reading too much about on it on the internet and it is really scaring me, especially the horror stories.  I know Wednesday will get here before I know it.  So now after two years you can eat normally? Was the liquid diet very hard for you?  The doctor wants me on it for about 2-4 weeks.  Also, with what you know now you would have the surgery again if you had the choice?  Also, did you get those esophageal spasms I have been reading about?  Were you also this scared as I am?  I know I am really loading you with questions but I just don't know what to expect.  I just pray to the Lord I don't regret my decision.  I will just have to be patient and know that healing takes time.  Can you think of any other detail I might of missed?  Thanks Carla for taking the time to answer my questions and putting me at ease.  Barbara... 

Carla, thanks for the appriciation!!!! Also, thanks for giving such great answers to Ms. Barbara here. Your answers have been great! So, thank you!

Thank you for the reply Hastings...and, WELCOME TO HEALINGWELL!!! We appriciate the input, and look forward to getting to know you!!!

Barbara,

You are going to be fine.  Please stay in touch with us as you feel up to it post op.  Email me if you need to.  You are going to be so glad you had this surgery done.  Stock up on jello.

Take care!

Carla

I have been thinking about having this surgery. I have reoccuring esphogitis (sp?) diagnosed via egd which gives me lovely pain and spasms. I've been on PPI's for years. The only thing that I eat outside of my otherwise bland diet is coffee, and that's always with a lot of milk so I find it quit irritating to be constantly dealing with this and it effects my sleep so I'm always tired (my bed is already elevated and all that good stuff).

My questions are 1)how much time off of work do most people have to take (I can choose to sit at my desk all day if I want or not when I work) and 2)I've heard rumors that you can't weight lift afterwards because it can undo the wrap? Is that true??

Thanks!

doghouse said...
I have been thinking about having this surgery. I have reoccuring esphogitis (sp?) diagnosed via egd which gives me lovely pain and spasms. I've been on PPI's for years. The only thing that I eat outside of my otherwise bland diet is coffee, and that's always with a lot of milk so I find it quit irritating to be constantly dealing with this and it effects my sleep so I'm always tired (my bed is already elevated and all that good stuff).

My questions are 1)how much time off of work do most people have to take (I can choose to sit at my desk all day if I want or not when I work) and 2)I've heard rumors that you can't weight lift afterwards because it can undo the wrap? Is that true??

Thanks!

You would need to plan to take about two weeks off work.  I don't know about the weight lifting.  You would need to ask your surgeon about that.  I would think it might take a few months for everything to be healed enough for you to do that, but that it would be o.k.  I'm not a doctor, just another person who has had the lap Nissen and a hernia repair done.  I'm not real active though because of severe asthma.

Any more questions, I'll be glad to try to answer them.

Good luck!

Carla

Hi, I know you have had your operation now but I've only just seen this.

I had the operation last September and I can honestly say its the best thing that happened to me.  I was truly scared before hand because I just didn't know what to expect but my surgeon was really good and took the time to talk everything through with me.  I also had a twisted stomach so that had to be turned and stitched up at the same time, but it all went really well.

The pain from the incisions wasn't too bad and it was manageable.  I actually didn't eat meat or bread for about 4-5 months after the operation as I was really nervous about it but found that the soft food diet was really easy to follow and as long as you eat very slowly, don't talk and chew everything you won't have much of a problem.  I had a few things that got stuck and found that by sitting up straight and trying to breath normally it went down of its own accord.

I was off work for about 11 weeks, which seems like a long time but because I had the twisted stomach the recovery was much slower.

Take care and I hope its gone well

Thanks for the welcome. I actually used to lurk on these forums last year before my op and found them really helpful.

If I can help anyone with any questions regarding the surgery I really would like to help, as I know how worrying it can be.