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Fundoplication Reversal

Hi everyone, I'm trying to find out as much information as possible on having fundoplication surgery reversed.
I had this surgery not so long ago. Without going into too much detail a series of events and mistakes made by myself and others led me to believe that having this surgery would be a good idea. My reflux wasn't that bad at all really and the medication was working well.I had a small sliding Hiatal Hernia so I still had occasional reflux on the medication but it was more like a gas with no acids or liquids really and all of my other symptoms had gone despite not taking my diet and lifestyle changes that seriously.

Now I'm sure this surgery helps a lot of people with severe reflux that cannot be controlled well with medication and lifestyle changes but I have to say that in my case all of the complications or side effects associated with the procedure are 50 times worse and harder to live with that what the surgeon described to me himself after reviewing my 24 hr PH study as mild reflux.

I'm very keen to have this operation reversed and would love to here from anyone anywhere who has managed to have a full reversal. I would love to know if the bloating and abdominal pain has gone or improved. if you can burp freely whenever you need to ( something I totally underestimated the importance of in my case ), if your bowels have improved and if your reflux returned any worse than before having the operation.

Also I live in Australia, so if anyone down under has had this operation reversed or is looking into it please help me out with any information you may have.

I feel this operation is being marketed by some practitioners as a convenient thing to have done to avoid taking medication each day. Something I have learnt the hard way and wish someone had said to me is this operation is a big deal and the recovery time can be very long. Take your diet and lifestyle changes very seriously and only consider surgery if your reflux is bad and when you have tried every other option available with no success.    

Thank you,
Gastroboy.  

  



              
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63984 tn?1385437939
Questions:
Did you follow the diet prescribed by the doctor/hospital dietician following the surgery?  
Did you mix in solid food the first month after the procedure?
Did you drink carbonated drinks of any kind?
Did you check out the surgeon prior to the procedure and choose one who has a lot of experience with the procedure?

Over 90% of patients who have the procedure had a good outcome.  I certainly did.  Tonight I had Buccatini with San Marzano tomato sauce with garlic, onions and red peppers.  I haven't had a pill to control acid in 6 years, and when I had the procedure, my teeth were turning black from acid reflux and my vocal chords are toast from it.

A member of my family had the procedure, but decided to follow her own diet with terrible results, she wrecked the surgery by stuffing herself.  

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Anneshere,

I feel for you, try and keep a positive outlook - I know it's very very hard. Your recovery is going to take anywhere from 6 to 12 months or even longer as in my case. I'm 2 years 5 months post op now & I can honestly say it took me around1 1/2 years before I felt I could try and put this massive mistake of an operation behind me and focus on moving forward with my life.

In regard to having the wrap undone, I wouldn't recommend it as they destroy all of your natural reflux barriers and replace them with the wrap, so if that wrap is undone your going to be potentially exposed to really bad reflux that could start months and months after having it undone ? In my case undoing it seemed like a big risk of doing more damage with an unknown outcome.

Bottom line is I regret having this op with ALL of my heart but what is done is done and I now have to live with the outcome.

For anyone considering this surgery - get second and third opinions and don't even consider it unless you have very severe reflux that can not be controlled by any other means & have all the testing done to prove you need this operation don't just take some shark surgeons word for it looking to increase his bottom line !

If you're not getting any answers from the surgeon that did this to you start doing your research and get second opinions from other surgeon's as to what if anything may be going on. If the bloating & pain don't improve over the following months you need to get some explanations.

Best of luck and keep positive.
Gastroboy.    

  

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I also am researching to have the surgery reversed. I had the surgery done 4 weeks ago and I also am having severe gas spasms. I feel awful! I have so much bloating and gas in my stomach and back. I really thought I would feel better but I dont
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your info. I had my nissen fundoplication 6 months ago and hv developed problems i never had before. From the look of things i was never examined properly before the procedure was done. I have resently developed severe numbness in my arms at night and my everyday problem is heaveness from my throat to the head. I cant manage to carry my handbag andmy neck is stiff. Cant stand any heat to my face or head and working is not possible any more. The the doctor that saw ne at six weeks after the op said i need to hv the wrap undone as my problem was in the throat and the op would just make it worse. Im scared to go back as im not sure wat the risks are but im cobdition is getting worse. I had tgis gerd problem for 5 yeats before doing the op and all meds failed.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
BeFit1, I am going to the Mayo clinic on Monday, I had the surgery 2 years ago have not been the same since. Where did you have your's done at? I really appreciate your help. Life has been pretty MISERABLE.
Helpful - 0
63984 tn?1385437939
Diet after a NF is very important.  For example, if you are drinking carbonated beverages or ate solid food within three months of the surgery, odds on are that you will defeat the surgery.  My surgery was very successful, but I followed dietary directions.  My sister also had the surgery, but simply could not resist overeating and unbelievably drank cokes.  I also suspect she did some purging which will quickly undo the surgery.  
Helpful - 0
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