For twenty years or more I have had GERD (Gastro Esophogerial Reflux Disease) and January 8, 2003, I had a Nissen Fundoplication (FN) performed at Massachusetts General Hospital using Dr. David Rattner at my surgeon (after a lot of research) Dr Rattner is extremely well qualified to do this surgery as he has done over 500 of them. He has his own new operating room and team. The surgery lasted two hours and the next day I was home. He fixed my hiatal hernia which was large. Pain was minimal and I actually went to my office less than 48hours after surgury.
Prior to surgery I took prilosec and nexium which helped with the heartburn; however, I coughed alot which was difficult for me since I gave financial seminars to seniors. In order give a better public appearance and to reduce the risks of Barret's syndrome, I decided to have the operation. I am a 61 year old male in otherwise good health. This has been my first operation other than having my tonsils out at age 4. For those of you with severe hearburn or cough I cannot stress the need to seek medical help. This type of operation is now being done so many times, the risk is minimal. Dr. Rattner's success ration is 80% to eliminate cough and 90% to correct hearburn.

I will make periodic postings to keep you all informed of my progress.

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Brian N. Drake

[This message has been edited by senioradvisor (edited 01-11-2003).]

I had nissen fundoplication surgery last year after what seemed like a lifetime of reflux. All reflux is gone,, no more meds-- has been wonderful.

Sorry to break your bubble. I am getting ready to have a third nissen this time open. I have had heart burn for 23 years. (so bad it would come out my nose at night and I would think I was drowning) After the first lap nissen fundo, no heartburn I thought it was great. But then I started having trouble swallowing sometimes water, food and a small amount of heartburn. They did some tests and decided to go in and look. It took 4 hours to fix the problem. My stomach had turned inside out like a sock and was laying on my lung. Both surgens said they had not seen anything like it before, but they fixed it now. A year later same symptoms and after the tests I have been told I have an esophageal ulcer and barrett's esophagus. I am facing a open nissen fundo. And I just am upset. I really do not have any heartburn but I must have been getting the acid in the esophagus any way without the heartburn.

To: Jslen5: Sorry to hear about your NF problem. Tomorrow it will be two weeks since my surgery. I have lost the heartburn and most of the coughing. I am experiencing some dysphasia (food getting caught) especially if I eat too fast. After one week of liquids, I started eating fish, chicken, soups, salads and I noticed that I fill up rather quickly.

Did you do alot of research on your surgeon. Dr Rattner has done over 500 of these and has a 90% success ratio on heartburn and 80% on cough. When I see him this thursday, I'll mention your "sock effect" and see what comments he makes. Good Luck



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Brian N. Drake

The hernia did not come undone the stomach just pushed it way through so the next time they added some batting and mesh to build up the hernia repair. I just talked with my dr office today and was told that the Barett's esophagus disease is chronic with a acute flare up. I find it funny that I was never told I had Barett's disease before. I am now awaiting to have another endo done 6 weeks after the one I just had done both the surgen and the gastro dr are going to be doing this so something can be figured out. No one wants to go in for the 3 time blind. Last time they did pre surgery tests and had no idea about the stomach doing what it did I was on the table for 4 hours so they could repair everything slowly. My 2 surgens have done 100's of these operation and the female of the pair teaches the Nissen fundo around the country. It sounds like you are doing great. I could not eat anything for at least 4 weeks. I could have been scared to eat though. I am getting very little reflux and I do not understand the acute flare up. Good luck and Happy NO Heart Burn! It is so wonderful not having heart burn.

Have you stopped coughing yet? I had my fundo done about 6 weeks ago, and my cough is as bad as ever, maybe even worse. My surgeon said there's an 80% chance of getting rid of the cough, but it will take another month or two to start clearing up and up to a year to go away. If it's going to go away. My only GERD symptom has been this horrific cough.

Marie

I had the surgery in July. I still have the acid taste in my mouth. I never had any burning before or after the surgery, just the horrible taste after eating anything...even a tiny crumb. Anyways, is it possible I have some other problem like Barret's syndrome? I did a lot of research about GERD before the surgery, but never heard anything of that.

Thanks for all your reponses. It has been two weeks yesterday and I visited my surgeon today, Dr. Rattner. I still have mild dysphasia (food getting temporarily caught in my lower esophogus) but I drink warm water to help it go down and that usually works. Occassionally I have to regurgitate some of the mucus which builds up but it is not bad. Dr Rattner told me today that this is actually a good sign since the NF is working and the opening is not too large. My cough is practically gone although coffee which was an irritant before still has some minor effects and makes me cough a little. I have no heartburn. So far I would recommend the surgery to others, but I feel that I have one of the best surgeons in the world who works in on of the best hospitals Mass General. Rattner said that the cough and the dysphasia will eventually disappear or at least not be bothersome after a few months as my body heals.

I write these postings so that others who may visit this site can read the good and the bad in hopes it makes their decision easier. So far I have been blessed.



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Brian N. Drake

I had the lap nissen Dec of 2001 since then I have had abdominal pains, severe bkloating and diarrhea 24/7. For such a common surgery this seems to be not right. I have seen many doctors since then and have been in the hospital several times with dehydration because of it. Now the surgeon that performed the surgery wants to reverse it because it is kinking my intestines. Has anyone expierenced any of these symptoms?

Chris North Carolina

Has anyone had the open fundo? My doctor is recommending this surgery and I can't have the laparscopic since I have been cut open 4 times in the last year ( 2 ruptured diverticuli and 2 hernias ). I have heard this is a horrible surgery and am just looking for some insight.