Soliver-
I'll have to do some searching for a direct linked site, but I can give you some things now.
First off before going with the surgery I believe a PH study and manometry would be the very minimum tests. I had those plus barium swallow and an EGD. I was also asked by my 2nd surgeon which I would rather live with, heartburn or the possibility of foods getting hung up.
As for symptoms that surgery may help I would list regurgitation, not wanting to take PPIs for life, and for me it was a combo of not wanting to take PPIs forever and they were not working anymore.
As for after wards: 2 months can go either way. Some are doing great by then and others take a cople more months or so to get back to a "normal" diet. Now I was basically symptom free right away after surgery. I don't believe that is the norm though.
Take care,
Bill

opnwhl4
Moderator: GERD/Heartburn
Nissen 6/06 and 5/09
#3 on 8/24/11