Nissen Fundiplication Poll (please post response)

Diseases & Conditions GERD & Acid Reflux
1
I have heard positive and negative things about this procedure. In fact I just checked out USC hospital's program, which apparently pioneered the procedure.
 
I am curious. For those who underwent this procedure, how many of you had a positive outcome, how many negative???
 
Negative being, serious side effects, still on meds after, etc...
 
Studies suggest it has a 39% failure rate, I wanted to see percentages we have here.
 
Thanks everyone.
2
hi I put in another post a few days back and was hoping to hear from other Nissen F. people. Mine was done 3 years ago and it has been about 90% effective.
Negative- you can't throw up anymore, you experience more gas and if you don't eat small bites and slower you have the sensation like you are choking.
I do not take any medications for heartburn but will still get it with just a few foods like pizza and spaghetti. No HB with coffee!!
Would I do it again? yes
I wished that I had researched it more before and not learned of the side effects after the fact.
Hope I was helpful
Metta
3
Hi all,
 
Just had the Nissen surgery(laparoscopically) on Friday. It went well. The 1st day all I could have was ice chips. The next 2 days liquids(nothing too hot or cold). Today I ate runny oatmeal and eggs. The oatmeal hurt a little going down even though I chewed it well. The stomach pain is what you'd expect, swollen and sore but the gas pains were unbelievable. Unbearable in chest and shoulders; have been on pain meds for that and also some qeasy feelings, but not taking anything for that. I have also been taking Gas-X and walking around alot to get rid of the gas. I am mostly tired because I didn't sleep for 3 nights. The night before the surgery I had anxiety. The night of it, the nurses woke me up every hr to test or take blood or something. The 3rd night, I was in too much pain to sleep. Last night I slept much better and today I feel alot better. My surgeon told me to quit taking birth control pills and estrogen for a while to prevent blood clots, so for you ladies, expect your period, stomach and back pains on top of the other pain!  
 
I didn't know what to expect afterwards and it's my own fault for not asking. I would say to have help around the house for the 1st 3 days at least. Also find a Dr who is very experienced in doing laparoscopic procedures-not just a handful-I'm talking like has done hundreds. My Dr told me the success rate for this procedure is 90-95% and he has had 100% success in his patients. Only time will tell if it works, but I wouldn't be afraid to try it if you are a candidate for the surgery. It beats the alternative of staying on expensive meds, and then they stop working and you could get Barrett's.
 
Good luck to everyone out there considering it...feel free to e-mail me.
Cindy
4
thought maybe I bump this up so I can get additional responses
5

Hi - I am new here and wanted to share my experience.  I had the Fundiplication done about 14 years ago.  In fact, I had it at USC.  I have to say the recovery from the surgery was the worst I have ever experienced.  It was terrible!  But, I had no side effects and until recently the surgery worked nearly 100%.  No heartburn could eat what I wanted and when I wanted - just had to be careful not to over eat.  This would cause immense pain another  negative was not being able to vomit.   

 

 I have not taken any meds for 14 years and have been pain free.  Guess what - it isn't working anymore.  My reflux symptoms are back with a vengeance.  At the time there were not many medications on the market to treat reflux, I was regularly spitting up blood because of the linear ulcers in my esophagus.  I really did not have much choice except to have the surgery, as my symptoms were so severe.  Would I do it again?  Not sure -  at this stage of the game - No.  Do I regret having the surgery - No I do not.  

 

My current Physician does not recommend the surgery and has told me that it has been shown that the surgery is only effective for 5 – 10 years.  I feel lucky that I made it this far and I have to say it has been wonderful….But here I am again right back where I started.

6

Hi Sadams......that's great that your surgery lasted 14 years.  I think that's unusual from what I've read.  So, I was wondering if your age has something to do with it lasting so long.  Do you mind telling us at what age did you have the Nissen.  I'm thinking that a younger person might last longer...but I don't know.

What are you going to do now?  Can you have it tightened?   Thanks for info.

7
Hi Silly, I was 38 when I had the surgery done. I have been to two different doctors and neither one were proponents of the surgery to being with. They both recommended against having it tightened. So, for now it's back to the drawing board. I have been through three different medications and this third one just might be working. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Take care

Sylvia
8
I know, I can't believe the difference in the medications. I am currently on Aciphex and it seems to have the least side effects for me. I've had heartburn for two years and just recently it started refluxing into my throat so I'm getting scared that it's getting worse. I tried going all natural, with the alkaline diet, but it just doesn't seem to work for me.
9
I have tried it all - from acupuncture, meditation, herbs, yoga, even went and saw a Chinese Doctor - you name it I have given it a shot. I am currently on Aciphex. I hope it works. Before my surgery my refulx was so bad that the acid of went into my lungs causing problems breathing. I am hoping that since I had the surgery it won't be this bad this time. I guess I will just have to wait and see. Good luck to you.
10

Sylvia....are you taking 20mg or 40mg of Aciphex?  I'm taking 20mg per day and I'll tell you yesterday I had a small meal (stuffed peppers, yams and broccoli, and a little apple pie) because we had guests over and boy did I regret it.  Even taking the aciphex, I had heartburn and my tongue burned all night and even most of today.  I thought this stuff was supposed to stop the acid.  I've only been taking it 5 days, so maybe it hasn't really begun to work yet. 

I'm so sick of not being able to eat anything....I'm sure you know what I mean.

11
Hi Silly, Yes, I do know what you mean - stuffed peppers would kill me and I love em! My symptoms were as bad as yours are before I had my surgery. I lived on Ensure for a couple of years. Boy was I skinny... I am taking 40mg of Aciphex a day. It has been about a week now and it seems to be working. Thank goodness.

Have you experiemented with different foods to see what you can eat without causing too much pain. It is kinda hit and miss. When I was at my worst - water even hurt. It did get better and yours will too - just hang in there.

Take care,

Sylvia
12

Hi Sylvia.....thanks for the encouragement..we all need it.  Well, yesterday, around 3 pm, it seems that the Aciphex just started working and I felt so much better.  I've really been watching it today and I'm doing good.  I hope it continues...no more peppers for me. 

I'm glad you're finding relief with the Aciphex...it must have been so disheartening after your surgery slipped after 14 years....you seem to be taking well...I just hate the thought of taking medication for the next twenty years, if I live that long..

13
Hi had the surgery about 7 or 8 years ago. It worked great for about 2 years now I am on prilosec again. (and not over the counter one either!) I am sure if I took off some weight it might help. Would I do it again?? Yes those were the best 2 years out of the last 10 with the gerds. Negative is dry heaves when you have to vomit! Last year I got stomach flu and couldn't throw up I was miserable! My eyes were blood shot from the heaves. I just wished the surgery would have lasted longer than 2 years!!!
14
I had the procedure, a full wrap, April 2005. I have been incredibly happy with it. Rarely, approx every other month I may have 2 mins. of acid that is cured by Tums. I had severe GERD and have Barrett's. I do not take any meds and would do it again in a heartbeat. My recovery was quite easy. I did not have any pain. I took Motrin twice for mild discomfort the first two days. I felt so good my doctor told me to slow down and rest more. I hope it lasts a long time, but I will definitely have it again.
15

Allyoop,

That's great that you are doing so well...it's good to hear someone had a good one.  Were you on the meds very long before the surgery and were the meds very effective for you.  I've heard that the Nissen is more effective if someone gets relief from taking the meds...I don't know why. 

Also, where did you have it done?

16

It's been awhile since anyone has written here but I had the procedure 3 1/2 weeks ago.  I'm very happy with the result other than the feeling of food being stuck when I'm eating.  I didn't realize that you cannot vomit anymore, that's alittle scary.  One problem I've been having for the past week and a half is my throat is really sore around the thyroid area.  Like a large pill is stuck in that spot.  I was wondering if anyone else had this problem.  It's been awhile since the surgery so I can't imagine this having to do with it but if anyone else has, please let me know.  Thanks

17
I had my surgery done a couple of years ago and I definitely know what you are talking about when you mention the feeling of food getting stuck.  That can be very uncomfortable.  I didn't have the other pain you are talking about.  Did your doctor tell you that you would never be able to throw up again?  I have definitely been able to throw up when I've been sick.  It did take awhile after surgery for that to happen.  I know in the beginning when I would get something stuck and I would try to throw it up, it wouldn't happen then, I just had to wait in pain for it to work its way down.
 
Take care!
 
Carla

 Epilepsy, asthma, GERD, depression, hypothyroidism

18
No, my doctor never told me I wouldn't be able to throw up - this info I got from the posts before mine. I'm glad to know that it may not always be like that.
How long did it take before you didn't have that "food stuck" feeling? I'm also feeling nausea after my first meal of the day which is basically a protein drink, hopefully that's a temporary feeling also.

Thanks
Sue
19
sforres705

You're right, no ones been posting here for quite a while. Come on over to the more recent post where several of us are recovering at the same time as you....."post op nissen fundoplication/hiatal hernia repair". There's a part 1 and a part 2 - part 2 you can post on and part 1 you can just read.

I recently developed exactly what you described regarding your throat. It feels like a pill is stuck in the back of my throat. It doesn't feel like anything is stuck near the wrap - it's strickly confined to the area just behind the tongue. You are further along for recovery than I and your post is a month old. What did the feeling turn out to be or did it just go away? I'm figuring it has to do with swelling coming and going during the healing process.
20

Hi, the stuck-pill feeling is gone!  The only things that bother me right now is nausea & gas.  More than you probably want to know, sorry, but the gas is rediculous - it seems every night after dinner is the worst.  If I want to go out I have to load up on beano!  The nausea is whether I eat or not.  I find that if I eat too much I really feel horrible until I digest.  I guess I need to relearn how to eat & how much to eat.  Other than those two things-NO MORE HEARTBURN!!!!

I asked my doctor about not being able to vomit & he said none of his patients have had a problem with that.  I truly never want to find out if I can or not....hate vomiting!

Thanks for the info about the other site, I'll check it out.  Hope all is good with your recuperation.....

Sue