Pain after Nissen Fundoplication

[Kent2008]

I had the Lap Nissen done in Sept. of 2006 and it seemed to work very well except I had a lot of gas.  I think this is called exessive emptying.  I could not burp but that never bothered me at all.  They did what is called a complete wrap.
About 6 weeks ago, I started to get a lot of gas and always felt like I had to go to the bathroom.  Then about 2 weeks ago, I started to feel some pain in the esophageal region and the now it's worse and I can feel it in the chest.  Yesterday I had an upper GI and the surgeon said it may have slipped.  He said to wait a week and if it is not better to get a barium swallow.  Apparently, the barium swallow can determine more correctly what is wrong.  I have some questions:
(1)   It is not good to have all of this pain.  Has anyone had a redo and what was the outcome?
(2)  Does this have to be redone by a very experienced surgeon or would my original surgeon be the one to do it?
I would appreciate all comments

thank you

[xraymom]

Sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing. I know first hand about them. Ihave had 3 Nissen Fundolplications and each time it seems to get worse and harder for the surgeons to perform due to scar tissue, It is important to get those test. I had my 2nd nissen in jan 2006 and by July i was experiencing pain in abdomen and a discomfort in my chest. after several test they found out my "wrap" had twisted on itself and was cutting the blood supply to my stomach off, So needless to say I had my third nissen in August 2006 and that is where all my problems I thought were over until this last year, Evidently during the last nissen the surgeon severed the vagal nerve during the operation. Now i have gastroparesis___my stomach does not work++due to this mishap. So please think carefully about all that and be sure to ask the surgeon any questions you may have. i would definitely go to a bariatric or stomach surgeon who has done several of the redo surgeries...THis gastroparesis is not a cureable disease and now I am having to decide if I want a stomach pump put in or just to have the majority of my stomach taken out. Very difficult either way I choose. I am still young and have to think for the long haul and not the here and now.. good luck with everything...

[tara99rn]

I had a Nissen Fundoplication 5 days ago.  Mine was recommended due to the atypical symptoms of GERD I experienced.  My chronic reflux caused chronic chemical pneumonia in both lungs.  I was beginning to have a difficult time breathing even at rest.

Now, I am here 5 days out.  I have this terrible pain/pressure in my chest.  I feel hungry, but when I eat the pain is worse and is like that for a few hours after I eat.  When I say eat, I mean things like yogurt, cream of wheat, oatmeal, pudding, italian ice, water... I have not attempted anything solid yet.  I don't have any surgical pain from the incisions.  Just this constant pressure/pain under my sternum.  Sometimes if I press on the area hard enough, I can relieve the pain.

Has anyone else had anything similar to this?  How did you relieve it?  I would love to hear any suggestions or advice you can offer up!!!

Thank you!!!!
Tara

[magalid]

Hi Tara, I had the surgery 5 days ago and i am feeling ok but also have some chest pains. i was wondering how you are doing 3 weeks into it? thanks