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Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
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laparoscopic fundoplication surgery
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MedHelp Member's Question

laparoscopic fundoplication surgery

by tata, Nov 26, 2002 12:00AM
I might go for a laparoscopic fundoplication surgery, for I have got hiatal hernia and severe GERD. Does anyone know what risks are involved, and what can happen to me afterwards? Will I have difficulty swallowing? And other things I have read about? If you have done this surgery, please tell me about it.



Thank you in advance.

Member Comments (9)

by g350h350, Nov 26, 2002 12:00AM
I am hoping to hear about some perspective and real life experiences in response to your question, too.



After 10-12 years on PPIs to keep my GERD well controlled, I inquired about surgery.  One factor is that PPIs are expensive, and surgery would be covered, but prescriptions aren't in my case.



My specialist said it was basically my choice, and gave me some literature to read.  I was getting fairly enthused until I hit a point that said that, while the surgeon will attempt to complete the process laparscopically, it may be impossible to do so, in which it will be necessary to resort to traditional procedures.  Based on experience to date, there is a 1 in 50 chance this will be required.  Further web research comfirmed this view, and described 'traditional procedures' as major, major surgery, involving a 5" to 8" incision in the chest, and, if I recall correctly, up to 2 weeks in hospital.



I elected to stay on PPIs.



I guess the perception of 1 in 50 would be a personal thing, and I've always felt rather unlucky in these sorts of things.



Not meant to frighten or unduly scare, just reported what I was told and was able to find out.



Let's see what other responses you get.







by EliDale, Nov 27, 2002 12:00AM
I had lap nissen fundo surgery 1 year ago.

Basically I had what seemed like a lifetime of reflux, heartburn, ulcers, hiatal hernia...+ the dreaded Barrets Esophagus. Meds were pretty much controlling things; but I wanted to totally get off things.



After doing a ton of research and talking to 3 people who had the surgery - I underwent the knife. I had what was called a full-wrap.

Had to stay in hospital overnight.

Was basically up and around in no time & back to work (pretty much a desk job) in 2 weeks.

Diet consisted of mostly liquid & soft foods for a  few weeks;; then building up to more solid things. That probababy took a good 1-1/2 months +. The worst & I mean the worst thing was having BREAD. Somehow it expands in the throat & you get the worst choking, gagging, nasty sensation you could ever imagine. I found chewing foods real good & having water with meals really helped. Some have said drink warm water before meals--helps relax things-- I never did that though.



1 year later looking back--would I do it again-- sure would.

I am totally off meds...Never have any reflux @ all - I can basically eat a pizza, a hot spicy meal, drink a cup of coffee  and what not and lie down etc.. nothing comes up @ all - it's great!!!



Will things last---1 can only hope. I know the surgery can't be reversed...only re-done if need be.

Good luck all....    ELI

by Barend, Nov 27, 2002 12:00AM
Have you cheched out the two other ways:  the Stretta Endoscoping

Sewing, and the Endocinch Endoscopic Suturing procedure?  Both seem to me less drastic and their rate of success seems to be higher.  They are much simpler and therefore less expensive. Barend.

by t_t_t_t, Nov 27, 2002 12:00AM
I had this surg. in 1997 i was 27 at the time, it has helped me alot, i still cant eat really spicy foods or i get heartburn but no where near as bad as before the surg. i just to get attacks at least 5 times a week and lasting a min. of 3 hours it was not fun, now i dont i have only have 2 major heartburn attacks since the surg. it takes about 6 weeks before you are eating solids again you start off slow with liquids and work you way up to solids, vomitting is pretty much out of the question after this surg. so if you get the flu or something take something for the nausea or you will not feel to great at all, the only thing i suffer from since the surg is i get the hiccups all the time whenever i eat anything kinda dry like carrots , bread etc. they dont last long and my kids think it is funny lol. recovery was no big deal at all :)any other questions i can help you out with just let me know :)



t_t_t_t

by Baseball_Mom, Nov 29, 2002 12:00AM
To: TaTa
I had the Nissen Funduplication surgery in 1995 after I was diagnosed with severe acid reflux/hiatal hernia.  I was told at that point in time that this surgery was a "cure all" and that having this surgery would mean I would never have any more problems.  Back then the procedure was pretty new.  Unfortunately, they are now finding out that this procedure only lasts 7-10 years.  Mine only lasted 6 years.  Last year I started having trouble again.  The wrap has either come undone or stretched way too much.  I go for an Endoscopy on Monday and hopefully they will be able to figure something out.  I have to take two Nexium per day and it doesn't always control the acid reflux I experience.  I'll keep you posted on what happens on Monday.  I just wanted to let you know if the doctors are telling you it is a life long "fix" they are lying to you.  If you decide to have the surgery, just go in with an open mind that it might not be a life long cure.  At least that way you won't be disappointed.  I can honestly say I had 6 wonderful years of no heartburn/acid reflux and it was WONDERFUL!!!  Take care and best of luck to you.

by jaspur, Nov 29, 2002 12:00AM
I hope that this helps. I had the Nissan laparoscopic fundoplication (Nissan Wrap) done in 1995 at Beth Isreal Hosp. in Boston.It was a 5 hour surgery for some reason very difficult but even though the surgeon considered "opening up my chest" he called in another surgeon and the procedure was finished laprascopically. It is very rare that the docs will use the old procedure.As for getting out of the hospital in one night forget it..no way!!I have asked all of my Doctors and have revisited the surgeons and all of them agree that this operation will last a lifetime. And yes it can be reversed (a"takedown") by the same procedure.I also have Barretts esophagus which is the main reason I had the surgery done (and yes it is dreaded)I still,and for the rest of my life have to have endoscopys with biopsys every 18 months. Barretts is a very serious condition that is irreversable and unstable.The recovery was as described a few weeks and you gradually can eat regular food again.I have never had any heartburn since the operation. I cannot vomit,it is impossible.I get bloating which is a result of not being able to burp,ever again. Bloating causes its own problems and is very,very annoying and sometimes painful. Also the other symptoms that I had experienced before the operation were never releived,such as neck and left shoulder pain,sinus problem (left side)that crappy feeling that you get when you wake or just lie down. SO the GI docs say due to these symptoms I need to take meds forever. The surgeons say" you should not have to take any meds ever again" I would speak to both a couple of surgeons (expreienced in Nissan Wraps) and a couple of GI docs and ask the the question about taking meds after the procedure.. If you dont have Barretts meds could be your answer. sorry I was so long..Best of luck

by cay cay, Nov 29, 2002 12:00AM
I have a 2 year old who just underwent this procedure to correct her uncontrolled (by medicine) since birth reflux issues. We just found out that she may now has stomach paralysis, which wasn't present prior to surgery to our knowledge. Have any of you had any delayed stomach emptying as a result of this surgery and if so how long did it last? She also have the plyorac opening stretched to help food pass thru quicker and was just put on reglan to get things moving again. I've also noticed that right after surgery she was in extreme pain from gas, but that has subsided and a few days later now she can burp.

by glynnave, Jan 06, 2003 12:00AM
I had terrible chest pains in 1999 and was diagnosed with hiatial

hernia and reflux. I was put on the full regimen of meds such as Protonic, Prilosec,etc. but nothing worked. I had the Nissen fundoplication done in 2001. The chest pains still persist. my heart and lungs check out ok. Now the pains sometimes originate in my ears and a burning sensation flows down into my neck, right side of my chest, and right rib cage under my arm. A CT