nissen fundo complications, still after 12 years

Hi, I had a Nissen Fundo anti reflux surgery performed 12 years ago.  I have suffered from that day forward.  I can only eat small amounts of food, get severe nausea and gas bloat.  I cannot belch or vomit.  I have lost a lot of weight.  I have had two esophageal dialations, neither has helped.  I have been to numerous doctors.  None seen too interested in me.  They dismiss me and want me out of their hair.  The original surgeon,no longer does this operation.  He is now a breast surgeon.  Have consulted other surgeons, they say it is too risky to take the wrap down, or un-do it.  They keep doing the same tests over and over.   i am in debt for over $7000.00 so far in medical bills.  They keep telling me i need to be treated for chronic anxiety for a chronic illness.  The strange thing, is the gastro doctors will not treat me.  Theywant me to go to my family doctor to be treated for anxiety, which i am doing on monday.  Please contact me, if you have any advice or suggestions, or similiar problems.  Any advice would be appreciated.  I also forgot to mention.  I had a bad cold, and since then i have all the symptoms of esophagitis.  But my scope on Monday, did not show anything.  The doctor was terrible very cruel.  He did not even want to talk to me after the procedure.  He finally came in, and told me my two options are, to pack up and move up to minnessota for two years to see a specialist, or he would put me on a feeding tube.  as if i can just afford to move from way down here on the gulfcoast, all the way up to minnessota.  also imagine being on a feeding tube for the rest of my life.  i am only 45 years old.  I did not want to consider that option at this point in my life.  any help any one can offer wil be much appreciated.  Thank you in advance.

[silverfox67]

I am so sorry this happened to you.  I had the TIF surgery last year and am suffering also.  I was #22 - which means it was still experimental.  Perhaps you should try contacting the lawyers which advertise on TV for "Bad Drug" or botched operations.  I think I would/might contact the FDA.  If these surgeries are being done as a cure for GERD and they aren't working perhaps we should let the surgeons know so they'll stop.  I am hoping to see a gastroenterologist after the holidays.  - Perhaps the AMA can direct you to a doctor who can help you.  My heart goes out to you.

[silverfox67]

PS  In the meantime, you might want to ask your Dr. for a prescription for Dicyclomine.  I take it for esophageal spasms and it really helps me.

[iwoven]

Thank you so much for your reply.  Someone told me i was too late to contact a lawyer, the statue of limitations has passed.  I am so sorry you are suffering too.  I am going monday to my family doctor to be put on anti anxiety meds.  I really don't know what else to do.  This is affecting every aspect of my life.  I hope they do stop these surgeries.  I hate to think of more people being hurt.  How bad are your symptoms?  I suffer daily from mine.  I never get a day off.  I ate baby food and vitamin water now for days, including thanksgiving day.  I will ask my doctor monday about the Dicyclomine.  Does it have any negative side effects?  Again i am so sorry you are suffering and thank you so much for your reply.

[silverfox67]

I haven't had any ill effects from Dicylcomine - It has helped me a lot.  I hurt every day also, especially in the evening after supper just before bed.  I am able to eat pretty much whatever I want - no tomatoes, citrus or hot peppers - but everything else is okay.  I want to try the Alkaline diet that I've heard so much about.  Supposed to help people like us.  Also want to try the apple, potato and carrot juice that's supposed to "cure" reflux.  I bought a juicer - just need to try it.  Hope the doctor prescribes something that truly helps you!

[iwoven]

now i know what you are talking about it is the same as bentyl.  My doctor had prescribed those.  i do take them ever now and then.  but they give me horrible constipation.  Glad they help you.  others say they have helped them also.  i have a redundant colon.  it has a lot of twists and turns, so it takes a long time for stuff to travel through.  LOL.  i am going to the hospital tomorrow for a barium swalow.  since i had endoscope and dialation, i am having horrible neck chest and shoulder pain, and still trouble swallowing.  not sure how i will get the barium down, it will be very hard.  i will have to look up that akaline diet.  Thankyou for all the information!!!  : )

[silverfox67]

How did your Barium swallow go?  You will really be constipated now!! I hate that barium - takes me a couple of days before I see that "white" stool.  Be sure to take a laxative or at least a couple of stool softeners and drink lots of water.  Stay away from coffee and tea if you can - as they can dehydrate you and make the constipation worse!  Poor baby - I hope you get good results from the tests!

[Flycaster305]

I had the procedure done a couple of years ago and it was very successful.  I did a lot of research prior to the surgery and noted that the satisfaction rate is really quite high from patients a year after surgery.  I do eat smaller amounts at a sitting but that isn't a problem, just a fact, and stay completely away from carbonated drinks, etc. because I can't burp.  However, I can eat anything I want now and haven't taken an antacid product since the surgery.
I was very, very motivated to have a successful procedure.  My acid reflux was so severe I developed Barrett's Esophagus and my teeth were turning black (I had them coated after the procedure), and I followed the suggested recovery diet exactly as prescribed, maybe that helped me have such a great result.
I'm sure this surgery is like most invasive procedures, a lot depends upon the skill of the surgeon.   As to re-doing it, why not contact your State's teaching hospital for an opinion?  Best wishes.

[iwoven]

well they say the swallow was normal.  They said no reflux was noted during the exam.  Yet, i am choking on reflux every night since they stretched my esophagus.  Now i have severe bloating and reflux as bad as when they first did my nissen.  Don't know what to do now.  Thanks for your kind words.

[iwoven]

So happy it worked for you.  I have been having problems for the past 12 years. I followed my recovery steps thoroughly also.  As far as eating small meals, they can't get any smaller than what i am eating.  Not sure what went wrong, but something did.  I had my esophagus stretched, to try to help me swallow and burp a little.  Now i still can't burp and the reflux is back with a vengenence, even worse than before.  Thanks for your reply.

[Flycaster305]

Before I could have a NF procedure, I had an Endoscopy, which showed a damaged LES valve and diagnosed a pre-cancerous procedure, as well as an Manography, which determined my ability to swallow.  If I flunked that test, I wouldn't be a candidate for a NF, but would have to have the surgery by opening me up.  The barium test isn't as conclusive as a Manography, as I under it.  The ability to swallow and GERD issues are two different matters, but related.  
I'll again suggest you contact a teaching hospital for a second opinion, and request a Manography study.