nissen fundoplication

Diseases & Conditions GERD & Acid Reflux
1
I am having the nissen done in two weeks. I have suffered from GERD for over twenty years and the medications are not working anymore. How quick is the recovery and is the "unable to belch" problem a big deal? I would like to hear from anyone who has had this done. Thanks.
2
After my first nissen fundoplication, which was done lapriscopically, I did have a little trouble with belching.  Unfortunately, the repair that I received with this surgery only lasted about 3 months.  All the symptoms returned and I went back to the surgeon.  The wrap had slipped and was no longer working.  I then scheduled a second surgery, this one had to be done as the open procedure.  I had it done in March and so far so good.  I still have a little trouble with belching, but vomiting is a no go.  Good luck!!
3
This is a topic I know well.  I had a Nissen fundoplication done 7 years ago.  The only time I regret having it done are the times I get sick at my stomach.  You'll never be able to vomit again.  I won't lie... it's rough going when you get nauseated and my best advice is to get to the E.R. right away.  I've had to make two trips in 7 years to the E.R.  Once you're there, they'll fill you full of anti-nausea medication.  Over the years, I have kept Phenegran suppositories on hand to use in case I got sick but have since discovered a medication called Zofran.  Zofran is an anti-nausea medication that dissolves in your mouth and knocks the nausea out almost immediately.  It's great stuff and just kept me from having to make yet another trip to the E.R. just last week.  Have your doctor prescribe something for you to keep on hand in case you ever get sick at your stomach.
 
As for the recovery, I guess I felt like my old self after 3 months.  I was in the hospital for three days and was home from work for two weeks.  I lost about 10 pounds from not being able to eat a whole lot, but have since put it back on.  You'll have to remember to eat small meals throughout the day.  No more overloading your stomach!!
 
 It's been great not having hearburn and for that I'm grateful.  It's the nausea thing that's so bad about the whole thing.  My doctor has assured me I had no other choice, however.  I guess the trips to the E.R. when I get nauseated are better than having to go because I developed worse problems from not having had the surgery. 
 
I hope this helps.  Good luck.
4
Hi. I am new to this board, and I have a question regarding the fundo surgery. Did any of you who had the surgery have to have the esophageal motility test and the 24hr ph acid test done first? And did you have to have positive results proving you had reflux? Just wondering because I have all the burning symptoms, but all my test results are pretty much normal. I currently take PPIs everyday, and still have nasty symptoms.
Sari
5
I had to go through all the tests as well. I think the tests showed that I had some reflux but it was the endoscopy that made up the doctors' minds that I needed the surgery. The pictures taken during the endoscopy showed ulcers in my esophagus. I took meds every day before the surgery and still had heartburn. I've been medication free up until this month (7 years). My doctor told me the other day that they've discovered over the years that the surgery doesn't prevent heartburn; it only reduces the symptoms in conjunction with medication. Chances are you'll still have to take medication. Good luck!

Lynn

6
Lynn,
Thank you for the information. I have all the burning symptoms, but they did not find any erosions or ulcers in my esophagus. I already take aciphex everyday. I am just so scared that I will end up with barretts esophagus or some kind of damage since I am still having symptoms even while on the aciphex. My gastro doc simply says he cant do anymore for me. It is so frustrating. Thank you again for the info.
sari
7
I UNDERWENT A NISSENS FUNDOPLICATION 13 DAYS AGO IN UK. MY OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE OP IS: HEART BURN NIL/NOTHING. INDIGESTION IS NOW NON EXISTENT. TAKING NO ACID MEDS AT ALL!!!! MY ONLY DIFFICULTIES ARE, SWALLOWING( FOOD SEEMS TO BECOME STUCK, AND TAKES A WHILE TO SHIFT) CAUSING A BIT OF PANIC!!. SURPRISINGLY INTENSE PAIN IN MY LEFT SHOULDER( ESPECIALLY WHEN BURPING) AND PRETTY CONSTANT.MY ONLY OTHER PROBLEM IS NAUSEA..... FEELING SICK AND TRYING TO BE SICK ARE A NO NO, AS I DONT THINK IT IS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE AND THE PAIN IS UNBELIEVABLE.THOUGH I SEEM TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS THE BENIFITS OUT WEIGH THESE. IT IS EARLY DAYS, SO I WILL KEEP ALL POSTED. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PLEASE.
8
The pain in your shoulder is more than likely gas pains.  I get those periodically but they soon pass.  I still have trouble swallowing sometimes.  I've had to learn to eat more slowly and smaller, more frequent meals.  That helps a lot!  Don't ever be in a rush and eat at the same time and don't ever overload your stomach.  I've learned that the hard way!!  nono    Keep it simple.  You'll never be able to throw up again.  Make sure you have some kind of anti-nausea medication close by for the times you do get nauseated.  Otherwise, make sure you go to the hospital right away.  I've had to make two trips in seven years to the emergency room.  They'll fill you full of stuff to stop the nausea.  I always feel pretty yucky for several days after one of those episodes, but that passes. 
 
I hope this helps.  You'll learn what you can safely eat and what you can't and how much your stomach can hold.  Like I said, just keep it simple!!  Good luck!

Lynn

9

Dear Lynn,

Thank you for your reply, its nice to hear of other people that have been through the same proceedure, its early days yet and a long time until Im seen at the hospital again. I must say the pain in my shoulders has improved with a little help from painkillers :-) . My biggest problem is the nausea, I have suffered many bouts of this, running to the bathroom to be sick and then realising it is not possible. At this time the pain in my shoulder is excrutiating and unbearable, which I find quite scary sad . I am trying to forsee these episodes, so that I can take the anti-emetic before it starts. I had the proceedure carried out Laparoscopically and the wounds, five of them are healing well, although there is an annoying stitch poking out of each one which are impossible to keep my prying fingers off tongue . I am 26, I believe that this is quite young for this op. Many thanks for your comments.

10

I am new here and it is good to see how everyone is doing after there Nissens. I am 33 years old with 2 wonderful kids. I am looking at having the Nissen done as the Reflux is so bad now it is affecting my job and family  confused  . I am taking Protonix twice daily as well as lots of Rolaids and still have the relux. I just had a PH Test done this week and go to the doctor Wednesday to find out the results. The only thing I know is the composite score was 27. What do I need to know before going to the doctor Wednesday to assist me in making this decision? 

 

Thanks for the advice.

Cindy

11

My surgery was so long ago, that I can't remember exactly everything they looking for.   I know they look for a weak LES valve and other things.  The tests are pretty hairy.  Anyway, if my memory serves me correctly, the determining factor in my case was that I had ulcerations in my esophagus.  I'm happy 99% of the time that I had the surgery.  The only time I'm not happy is when I get nauseated, which isn't very often.  Just watch what you eat and eat small meals.  Don't overload your stomach.  I made my first mistake the year after I had my surgery.  I ate too much one Christmas Eve and wound up in the emergency room later that night getting filled with drugs to stop the nausea!  No fun.  Good luck, and take care. tongue

Lynn

12

I just found this board today as I began my search for answers.  I had my nissen fundiplication and a hiatal hernia repair done in 1995, when I was 30 years old, after having the whole battery of tests including the Upper GI series, 24-hour ph test (miserable!) and even a stomach emptying test.  At that time the gastro said that my stomach did not empty as it should, but felt the fundiplication would solve my problem.  Well after the years passed by, I started having the same old symptoms of heartburn again back in 2000 and have been taking prevacid/prilosec/protonix with no success.  Everything I eat hurts my esophagus and I always have heartburn.  Last week I started having what I thought were cardiac chest pains and went to the ER.  After an EKG and stress test, they determined my heart was fine.  I asked to be seen by a Gastro, and he decided to scope me again because of my history.  He said the results of my scope showed that the fundiplication was still intact, but that I had an inflammed and irratated esophagus.  I am supposed to have a Esophogeal Motility Test done this week.  Does anybody have any idea of how this could happen since the fundiplication is still doing it's job?  Could it be related to the stomach emptying problem, or something worse (Barretts or Achalasia)?  I would appreciate any feedback before I go back for the motility test.

Bill 

13
I had so called GERD for 3 years. Doctors with their tests and PPIs were of no help. It seems to me they don't have a vague idea what GERD is. A month ago I stumbled on a book on vegetables. In one of the chapters I read about sour kraut ( fermented cabbage ) and its beneficial effects on intestines. I ate one 1liter jar ( that may be too much for someone after fundoplication ) of it per day before meals for 10 days. I don't want to say that this therapy made away with my problems completely but one thing is sure: I don't have burning throat and bloating, belching and burning in my stomach subsided considerably. Make your sour kraut yourself from organic cabbages in the following way: 1. chop your cabbages 2. put the mass you obtain in a large enameled container in a few layers adding some salt to each layer and pressing until the chunks of cabbage give out juice (you should use 1/10 kg of salt for a 12 liter container). 3. Put some wooden plate and weight on top so the stuff stays compressed. 4. Cover with some mesh made of cotton and leave to ferment for about 2 weeks in a worm ( 10-18 degrees Celsius) place where the stink of gases won't bother you. After 2 weeks your sour kraut is ready. Take off the mould that often occurs on the surface. Don't get rid of the juice. Drink it with your sour kraut. This recipe worked for me. There is another one on http://www.happyherbalist.com/sour_kaut.htm. If you live in Chicago go to a Polish deli and ask them about sour kraut made with traditional methods. They should have it in barrels with a lot of juice. I don't know what is the value of sour kraut available in food chainstores ( I did't go for it because of additives used in mass produced food) After drinking the juice or eating a lot of sour kraut don't go away from home as it is almost sure you'll get short lasting diarrhea (start the teraphy on the weekend). Try the above recipe. It won't hurt you. Stop eating foods containing sugar. Give up coffee, coke and fatty foods for a while. Good luck.
14
I am new to this and don't know where exactly I'm supposed to write(?) My aopologies if I've done it wrong!
Anyway I have learnt a lot from reading your letters (sugarberry) on the forum. Thanks!

I live in the UK and have had reflux problems for the last year. After two endoscopies and the acid test (tube down throat for 24 hours) it has been suggested to me that I could benefit from Nissen's Fundoplication.
I read what you said about not being able to vomit and am obviously concerned about this. Does this happen to everyone who has this op? Also I find alcohol even in small amounts difficult to tolerate at the moment - did this change after your operation? I am not a heavy drinker but simply enjoy a glass or two. Does anyone else who reads this have any comments?
Thanks
Yann
15

Dear Georgi,

Im due to have the same operation! How are you doing after the surgery?

Please email me lee@parker7710.fsnet.co.uk

Thanks

Lee

Georgi said...
I am having the nissen done in two weeks. I have suffered from GERD for over twenty years and the medications are not working anymore. How quick is the recovery and is the "unable to belch" problem a big deal? I would like to hear from anyone who has had this done. Thanks.
16
scotty26 said...
I UNDERWENT A NISSENS FUNDOPLICATION 13 DAYS AGO IN UK. MY OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE OP IS: HEART BURN NIL/NOTHING. INDIGESTION IS NOW NON EXISTENT. TAKING NO ACID MEDS AT ALL!!!! MY ONLY DIFFICULTIES ARE, SWALLOWING( FOOD SEEMS TO BECOME STUCK, AND TAKES A WHILE TO SHIFT) CAUSING A BIT OF PANIC!!. SURPRISINGLY INTENSE PAIN IN MY LEFT SHOULDER( ESPECIALLY WHEN BURPING) AND PRETTY CONSTANT.MY ONLY OTHER PROBLEM IS NAUSEA..... FEELING SICK AND TRYING TO BE SICK ARE A NO NO, AS I DONT THINK IT IS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE AND THE PAIN IS UNBELIEVABLE.THOUGH I SEEM TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS THE BENIFITS OUT WEIGH THESE. IT IS EARLY DAYS, SO I WILL KEEP ALL POSTED. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PLEASE.
Hi Scotty,
 
Can you email me please!! lee@parker7710.fsnet.co.uk
 
Im due for Nissen Fundo in UK!! Can you let me know your story!!
Cheers
Lee
17

Since writing last November I have been to a Chinese Doctor in Canterbury (Kent) and the result is that I have postponed the fundoplication.  My symptoms have dramatically reduced - NOT gone.  The main difference is that I recover much quicker, if I over eat.  Small meals are much better and I can drink much more - not that I consume a lot!  My email is ykerbiriou@tiscali.co.uk if anyone wants more info.

Regards

Yann (a.k.a Whitman)

18
 
 Hi all,Nice to hear all your comments.
   I am now 6 months down the line after my fundoplication and everything seems great(touchwood).The pain in my shoulders has subsided and only appears on certain occasions particularly when I have my head in the toilet trying to be sick which does not happen and never will I am told by my doctor.
I am still taking anti sickness tablets(metoclopramide+domperidone)but I dont feel they are any trouble to take to stop that feeling.
 My heartburn before this op was so severe I could hardly function,now I have no heartburn what so ever and would recommend the op to anyone taking into consideration the negatives which are few.
The other problem i had post op was difficulty when swallowing, my food seemed to get stuck but I can say this passes after a couple of weeks.
I would like to say good luck to anyone that is going to have this op and dont suffer alone ,Keep up the posts.
Anyone that wants to ask me anything feel free to email me at mailto:scott26247@yahoo.co.uk
 

Post Edited (scotty26) : 7/21/2005 9:35:55 AM (GMT-6)

19

Hi Scotty, glad to hear your recovering well!

I was especially interested to hear about the pain you suffered in the left shoulder.  I’m 3 month post op and I have been suffering from some aweful pain in the WRAP area and this seems to trigger left side shoulder pain.  I'm told it's Dyaphramatic irritation, some sort of relayed nerve reaction.  Was yours much worse at 3 months than it is now and did you have any ongoing bad pains around the WRAP area?

20
Hi Blasterboy,
 
 I can say to date I have had no pain in the wrap area, although I did suffer severe pain in my shoulder for a good 2 months. It is a lot better now and i only experience it when i'm trying to be sick and it really is an awful pain.
 I am sorry to hear you have this kind of pain too but I am sure it will settle down, I was told similar to you that the pain is caused mainly by irritation to the phrenic nerve which is caused by the gas that they inflate your stomach with during surgery.
 At the time its hard to believe that something as simple as that can cause so much discomfort, my doctor put me on tramadol painkillers which put me between a rock and a hard place, they were curing the pain but were making me feel sick so I couldn't win really so only perseverance pays off.
 My main concern at the moment is dreading the day I have a stomach bug as the trying to be sick episode is the worst feeling ever.
 Oh well have to go for now, hope i have helped a little.
 
Scotty