GERD SURGERY - how to get it

[steph2222]

What do I need to do and say in order to get GERD fundoplication surgery? I have HMO insurance, do I need to switch to PPO? R they more likely to give it to my if I have better insurance?

I can't live like this, I have the worst symptoms, and I'm going to get an endoscopy done, however, I've read on here that 70% of these come back normal. Plus I'm only 22 years old.

[selmaS]

Hi I have to agree with Furballsmom.

Many of these surgeries fail too......and u can feel worse.

With diet u can help urself feel alot better....lifestyle changes can help as well.

U r too young to have this type of surgery and u can not think it is a quick fix...bcuz there is no way to know if u will feel better or not.

Without a deff dx of a hiatal hernia u would not even need this surgery...find out the root problem.....many times it is not what u think....

Good luck and do post an update after ur tests
"selma"

[FurballsMom]

What does PPO mean?  I do know that it's a long process of test after test before being approved for the surgery.  You'll need to do the pH mannometry test and possibly the Bravo test.  Very uncomfortable tests.  Not always painful, but uncomfortable.  An aquaitence had some pain with the Bravo test.  You'll have to find out what your insurance requires before they approve of the surgery.  Remember, though, that this is MAJOR surgery, and the recovery process takes a really long time.  My aquaintence expects to need help around the house for at least a year.  She has other health issues, too, but the point is that this is a very big deal.  The longer you can put off this surgery, the better off you'll be.  Now that I know more about it myself, I prefer waiting and even doing everything I can to control my GERD with necessary dietary change and such.  If you're at the point where you've done all this and you're at the point where surgery seems like it's the only option, be prepared for this to be a long process before you're approved to have the surgery.

When I had my endoscopy, it was proven that I have gastritis on top of my GERD.  This kind of thing is important to be aware of.  The treatment is the same as for GERD, but I have to be very mindful about medications that can effect my gastritis.  That means avoiding NSAID medications like the plague, because these are known for the damage that can be done to the stomach.  The endoscopy may or may not show the position of your LES in comparison to where it's supposed to be, and it may or may not determine if it is a hiatal hernia and what kind.  This is why you have to go through a whole battery of tests before the surgeon can decide to go ahead with the procedure.

After I learned what the after effects of the Nissen Fundoplication are, I prefer to do everything I can to control my GERD myself as much as possible.  This is serious MAJOR surgery and the decision to go through such a procedure must be taken very seriously.  Putting it off for as many years as you possibly can is recommended.  If you really can't do anything else, that's when you decide to procede with the surgery.