surgery reversal

[hihopes]

Dear sir: I was diagnosed with Barretts esophagus in 1999. I had a partial wrap done (toupet procedure) in December 2000. This left me with several chronic problems. I've been living a miserable existence. Can this surgery be reversed sucessfully?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

As I am not a surgeon, I will defer to our surgical colleague in the comments below.  

However, I want to emphasize that you have to make sure that the symptoms are related to the fundoplication procedure.  You may want to consider a colonoscopy (to evaluate the change in bowel habits) and tests for malabsorption to further evaluate your symptoms before considering repeat surgery.  Tests for malabsorption can include a fecal fat test, tests for celiac sprue, or tests for lactose intolerance.  

If those tests are negative, then you may want to consider repeat surgery - but remember that reversing the wrap is no guarantee to improving your symptoms.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[surgeon]

Yes, it can. Like any surgery, it's not risk-free. You don't state what the problems are that you are having. The first step is to be absolutely sure that whatever it is that is wrong is felt likely to have been caused by the procedure (the biggest problem with a partial wrap is that it doesn't work as well as a full wrap).  Nor is it a sure thing that undoing the wrap would solve all problems created by the original surgery. So you need to have gotten to the point where your surgeon and gastroenterologist are as sure as possible that it's the right thing to do.

[hihopes]

hihopes-immediately following surgery I began producing extreme amounts of very foul gas. I would swell up to the point of what seemed like my limit. This is very painful. I would expel this and within 1 to 2 minutes I would be swollen again. This cycle would continue for about 3 to 4 hours.For seven months I had extremely painful, mushy bowel movements with no warning. I've had to go home and change clothes several times. The surgery left my tongue and throat about 50% numb. When I eat or drink Iswallow so much air I can hardly stand it. My food doesn't fully digest, and I have allergic reactions to lots of foods. My throat swells up and the muscles in the back of my neck freeze up so that I can't turn my head. For a year after I would eat within 30-45 minutes I would grow very dizzy and spaced out. I'd have trouble breathing. I'd have to lie down. I'm a plumber by trade. I've kept toilet paper in my vehicle because I could have a bowel movement at a moment's notice with no warning. I also have trouble swallowing. I've had a variety of tests  run and many different medicines(which did not help). From struggling with this condition for over two years now, this is my theory on what is happening: when I eat, so much air is being swallowed with the meal that it hampers my stomach's ability to perform correctly. Some foods don't completely break down in the digestive process, thus causing various allergic reactions, and providing intestinal bacteria with a means to rampantly over-produce gas. My main problem is a continuous struggle with gas. I have no social life because of this, and I spend every night waiting for it to finally subside so that I can rest. It has affected my work as well as other areas of my life. I desperately need help, and am willing to consider risky surgery for relief. Thank you for your time.( I have other problems resulting from this surgery, but I didn't want my mental state questioned as a result of listing them all.)

[tessa0825]

I wonder what the overall success rate is for fundoplication surgery?.....Also, for the original poster, if you have it redone, hopefully, you have it done by a different surgeon and before hand you ask what "HIS" success rate is with this surgery!! If lower than 95-97% find a different surgeon...Im not sure if you are close to any of the good university hosp. but that might be something to think about.....According to US News and World Report the top three hosp. for digestive disorders are...#1 Mayo Clinic,Rochester.....#2 John Hopkins, Baltimore....and #3 Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Ohio

[hihopes]

yes,I have been considering the Mayo clinic for a while now. I did research my surgeon beforehand. I have found thru certain studies that a percentage of people are left with these results after fundoplication, some with worse problems than originally. I'm one of those unfortunates.

[Springer]

I had Lap Nissen 2 years ago and I am having all the same problems (urgent diareha, stomach pain, inability to swallow), and the doctors just keep giving me the runaround. It is making my life misserable...I would be interested in a reversal if it were possible, any idea if this can be done???

[irka]

hi, i'm irka with the heller myotomy problems.  i too did have the toupet fundoplication with my heller myotomy with a few similar symptons as you and the commentor who had the nissen fundoplication.  can you both read my original comments and tell me if any of my symptoms corrolate with yours.
desperately seeking help.

[Sasha0693]

A related discussion, Fundoplication complications and reversal was started.

[deamoore]

A related discussion, fundomylipication reversal was started.