Surgery to correct reflux

[CGTMHI]

I would like to hear from patients who underwent surgery to  correct the acid reflux problems. My Dr. informs me that I can eliminate all my reflux problems by having this surgery and that it can be done liposcopically. Comments can be posted in this forum - thank you all for this forum!

Mary from Texas

[i dunno]

Hello.  it's 7/10/2000 and back in 1/2000 i ate some poisoned marijuana brownies.  I have had pressure feeling in chest ever since then.  I went to the ER twice and they dind't know what it was.  I went to two doctors after that, and they both said GERD.  They were stupid and said it was from my age/weight/diet etc, but I know and told them it was from the brownies!  They told me right back it was my diet and stuff.  They both were so stupid.  I think I do have a form of GERD but I think it's from the brownies.  It was really really bad at one point and I started watching what I ate and elevated the head of my bed and doing other things and it has actually helped a bit.  But it won't go away and I can't keep living my life like this.  I was so strong, I'm a big guy, very very powerful etc, but now I feel like a jerk, can someone help me please.  Tell me what to do, I want to live normally again.  Please help me!

[Greg from the South]

My wife recently had laproscopic surgery for acid reflux caused by a haital hernia.  The surgery is called a Nissen Fundoplication and is typically a one-day surgery..  Although 95% of patients have a successful outcome,  my wife's stomach somehow became perforated and it went unnoticed.  Upon awakening from the anesthesia she was given a cup of water to drink and immediately cried out about a severe burning in her middle chest.  For three consecutive days the doctor okayed her discharge even though she was in severe pain and unable to drink or eat.  They discharged her on the fourth day and I had to take her to the ER on the evening of the 5th day.  As it turned out, the undetected perforated stomach had been allowing stomach acids to leak into her abdominal cavity causing severe peritonitis.  She was operated on that night and I was shocked when the surgeon advised it was so severe that she might not survive the night.  Her one day surgery ended up with her having to stay in the hospital 98 days and having to have a third surgery in the process.  She stayed in ICU/CCU on three occassions for a total of 48 days.  She had to be placed on a ventilator three times, an average of 16 days each time.  She also had to have a tracheostomy the last time in order to remove the vent tube from her larynx.
She is home now but is still having some minor complications.
During the second surgery, the Nissen had to be undone and can not be repeated.
She went through all of this, and is no better than she was beforehand.  And to make matters worst, the hospital just sent a bill for over $350,000.
The surgery is suppose to be safe most of the time, but I would recommend that it be a last alternative.

[gerald mcdermott]

I worked in the chemical industry for 35 years and I developed
a stomach problem in my 20s.In my 40s I was diagnosed as having a duodenal ulcer which disappeared when I trained myself to relax
and I had no serious problems except for one or two refluxes a year until February 2000.I found I could not get magnesium trisilicate tablets and the doctor prescribed Maalox then gastrocote.I suddenly had a violent explosion whilst driving pains down my arms and serious belching.
  At first I felt alright then I had pains in my chest when walking.I saw the doctor 3 times and was prescribed gaviscon then flew to Australia.I felt much better but still had pains when walking so I went to hospital.They put me in coronary gave me heparine and an angiogram and said i needed 3 bypasses.i flew home and was given an appointment to see a cardiologist in August.
  I have gradually improved and cannot believe I have serious angina but 4 weeks ago I started having unbearable pains in my stomach for no apparent reason which only went after 5 hours when I had a drink of ginseng and blackcurrant tea.They came back 4 days later even worseand it was only eating ice cream which brought relief,I had gradually less severe attacks over the next few days.
   I have found after experimenting that a drop of whisky with ice and a drop of water relaxes my oesophagus and clears the pain.
    I would recommend anyone with stomach problems to eat regular meals with plenty of fruit and vegetables.Do not eat between meals.Avoid stody food so your digestion can work a full cycle leaving your stomach to rest.I was told to eat often but that does not work for me.Let your stomach rest.Avoid anything irritant especially going to bed I just have two small whiskies now which relax me and make me feel sleepy.Sometimes coffee makes me feel better and sometimes worse.I am using that as a test.If it makes me worse I am drinking herbal teas of which ginseng and blackcurrant seems the most soothing,even better than camomile or ginger and lemon but you have to find out for yourself.Good Luck

[gerald mcdermott]

I worked in the chemical industry for 35 years and I developed
a stomach problem in my 20s.In my 40s I was diagnosed as having a duodenal ulcer which disappeared when I trained myself to relax
and I had no serious problems except for one or two refluxes a year until February 2000.I found I could not get magnesium trisilicate tablets and the doctor prescribed Maalox then gastrocote.I suddenly had a violent explosion whilst driving pains down my arms and serious belching.
  At first I felt alright then I had pains in my chest when walking.I saw the doctor 3 times and was prescribed gaviscon then flew to Australia.I felt much better but still had pains when walking so I went to hospital.They put me in coronary gave me heparine and an angiogram and said i needed 3 bypasses.i flew home and was given an appointment to see a cardiologist in August.
  I have gradually improved and cannot believe I have serious angina but 4 weeks ago I started having unbearable pains in my stomach for no apparent reason which only went after 5 hours when I had a drink of ginseng and blackcurrant tea.They came back 4 days later even worseand it was only eating ice cream which brought relief,I had gradually less severe attacks over the next few days.
   I have found after experimenting that a drop of whisky with ice and a drop of water relaxes my oesophagus and clears the pain.
    I would recommend anyone with stomach problems to eat regular meals with plenty of fruit and vegetables.Do not eat between meals.Avoid stody food so your digestion can work a full cycle leaving your stomach to rest.I was told to eat often but that does not work for me.Let your stomach rest.Avoid anything irritant especially going to bed I just have two small whiskies now which relax me and make me feel sleepy.Sometimes coffee makes me feel better and sometimes worse.I am using that as a test.If it makes me worse I am drinking herbal teas of which ginseng and blackcurrant seems the most soothing,even better than camomile or ginger and lemon but you have to find out for yourself.Good Luck

[Danny Clark]

I had the surgery a little over a year ago and doing really fine. No indigestion! I can finally sleep good at night. should have had the surgery 10 years ago.

[Russ]

I had recently undergone my first laproscipic nissen fundoplication 11 weeks ago.  Since that time I have had problems with severe esophageal spasms(spreading to my jaw, neck and entire chest) and vomiting (at least once a day) with meals.  I have tried nifedipide and reglan without much success.  I have been dilated twice which proved very benificial but ONLY for a day or so following the procedure, then I am right back to normal.  I have been given several opinions ranging from :1 - continue to wait it out and 2 - have the wrap revised to a partial wrap which is more easly tolerated.
I was hoping to hear from someone who underwent a similar scenario, find out what they did and how it worked.
I would really appreciate your input so please add it here!!!!!
Thanks,
Russ