Fundoplication - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

1098 · 12-19-2008, 08:59 PM

Anybody here get this procedure? I had it done a year and half ago. Man what an improvement. My "flap" was not large enough to close to prevent stomach fluids from going back into my esophogus. This procedure take the top part of your stomach and wraps it around the esophogus, tightening the opening and prevents reflux. Works great.

Side effects; Slowed down my eating greatly. I eat smaller portions, chew it thoroughly, and swallowing is more difficult. I do not burp any more, and I have more gas. A lot more gas. Also cant drink carbonated drinks. In this regard, I eat healthier. Ive lost weight and kept it off. And not having bottles of antiacids, expensive prescriptions, OTC remedies is a big bonus. Feel better, too.

MountainReader · 12-20-2008, 02:56 PM

I had mine done about 12 weeks ago. I noticed immediately that my reflux symptoms were gone. I had a chronic cough and it was constantly flaring up my asthma. I went 2 months without an asthma attack.

I've just recently added bread and a bit of meat back into my diet. I think I am just finding out what my body is going to settle into. My GI doc still has me on the anti-reflux diet and taking PPI's. I'd hoped to go off of them. My surgeon told me I shouldn't have to take them any longer, but I feel I should follow what my GI doc recommends, at least for a while. I'm not sure how much good they are doing though.

So far, I'm very happy with the results.

fourof5zs · 12-25-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1098

Anybody here get this procedure? I had it done a year and half ago. Man what an improvement. My "flap" was not large enough to close to prevent stomach fluids from going back into my esophogus. This procedure take the top part of your stomach and wraps it around the esophogus, tightening the opening and prevents reflux. Works great.

Side effects; Slowed down my eating greatly. I eat smaller portions, chew it thoroughly, and swallowing is more difficult. I do not burp any more, and I have more gas. A lot more gas. Also cant drink carbonated drinks. In this regard, I eat healthier. Ive lost weight and kept it off. And not having bottles of antiacids, expensive prescriptions, OTC remedies is a big bonus. Feel better, too.

I've had the procedure twice. The second surgery (done August 2007) was needed because the hiatal hernia came loose and caused the wrap to partially undo. The hiatal hernia (which was much larger than before) had pushed my stomach up into my chest and made it very hard for me to to breathe. My chest hurt.

I get gas a lot. Gas-X is my friend. Sometimes diarrhea is a problem. I had my gallbladder removed in the first surgery in 2000. I had a bit over 7 years between surgeries.

I am having a bit of trouble with stomach irritation right now. No acid coming up. My back got really bad and I took some Darvocet for pain. I don't do well with any narcotic... nausea, vomiting and headache. After I had surgery (November 11th) for my back I had severe vomiting because of the Darvocet. I actually wound back up in the hospital for two more nights. I visited my family doctor a few days later and he put me back on Prilosec (40mg) twice a day. My stomach is feeling less irritated. I am to stay on it for a few more weeks and then try going without the Prilosec. If Im not better then the plan is to see my stomach doctor for a endoscopy.

Within the next few weeks my husband will have the Fundoplication surgery along with having part of his pancreas removed. We're hoping for good success for him. If he does not have success with the Fundoplication surgery He will not be able to have a redo because of the surgery with the pancreas.

I'm hoping I never have to go through this operation again myself. I have had relief both times. The side effects are not as bad from the surgery as the reflux. The reflux with me cause me not to be able to eat very well. Sometimes rice was all I could eat. I vomited a lot and my voice was hoarse. Now I put up with ocassional diarrhea and gas. Sometimes it can be embarassing. It is much better that being in pain, vomiting and not being able to eat anything but rice.

rsapooh · 12-30-2008, 12:13 PM

I am scheduled for the Nissen procedure on January 20th. Unfortunately I was unable to tolerate the esophageal manommetry test. So I am not sure if the surgeon will even be able to do my surgery as he will not know how tight to do the wrap. Has anyone had the Nissen procedure without having the esophageal Manommetry test done first?

I also have been doing research on the EsophyX procedure. I found out that my insurance does not covery it.

nixonnic · 01-09-2009, 05:20 PM

yea i had it 12 years or so ago they did a total but had go back in and do a partial and dam did it work there are a couple complications to it but yea you better to have the test done i couldnt eat anything for like 8 months and i was a small guy anyway so ilost weight bad and was on all the drinks with protien and all that but i have some trouble swallowing certain foods and drinking everything goes down slower and i beluieve it shrinks your stomach also because i cant eat half what i use to but i have problems every once in a while with severe pain after eating and drinking but i lay down and a few hours i feel better but its all worth it believe me i couldnt drink water with out getting heartburn