Corrective Surgery for Reflux - Digestive Disorders Message Board

kdoubleu · 12-15-2000, 04:12 PM

I have acid reflux. I'm on 40mg of prilosec a day and I still have some discomfort and foods I cannot eat. My doc did a throat scope and everything was fine. He says that I might want to have corrective surgery done. I think he said that was called a laproscopy, or that could have been one of the pre-tests they do to see if I would be a candidate for the surgery (I was still coming down from the sedative from the throat scope, so I'm not entirely sure). Anyway, the surgery corrects the problem in the esophagus that causes the reflux. Has anyone had this surgery done? I've heard good things about it, just wanted some feedback.

[This message has been edited by kdoubleu (edited 12-15-2000).]

friendlione · 12-24-2000, 12:47 AM

I would not consider such a surgery...reflux almost always heals with care, and surgery is always radical, and may not heal or may cause infection...it is not worth it in such a minor illness.
Besides if it isn't broke why does a doctor want to fix it? (to get money???)

Do this:

Raise the head of your bed some,
don't eat just before bed,
use Tagamet or someother anti-acid.
Watch what you eat,
eat smaller ammounts at a time.
Get another doctor!

Take care and this will most likely go away.
But not without discipline on your part, which surgery won't fix anyway!
And don't believe in some herbal nonsense either.
Mine went away, and so did my sister's which had gotten quite bad before she changed her behaviour.

arkie6 · 12-24-2000, 06:50 AM

I would try a low carbohydrate diet before I had surgury. Get a copy of "Protein Power" by Dr. Eades (about $6.00 at any bookstore or online at Amazon.com). This is discussed in the book as a fix for your problem. Cutting way back on sugars and starches (all grain products, bread, pasta, corn, rice, potatoes, etc.) helped me tremendously. I can't remember the last time that I had heartburn or acid indigestion.

kdoubleu · 12-25-2000, 11:36 AM

I appreciate your responses. Arkie6, I am on a hypoglycemic diet, which is an elimination of sugar and starches. And I follow all of the tips friend posted. Yet I still have discomfort. I do intend to go to more than one doctor, and will consider every other possiblity before surgery. There is no urgency, so I have time to consider this. Keep the advice coming, I'm eager to find a non-invasive solution!

fionanz · 12-27-2000, 02:54 AM

some refux problems can only be solved by surgery because the valve at the bottom end of the oesophagus doesn't work properly in keeping food/liquids in the stomach, maybe trying a different drug will help or taking a antacid liquid before bedtime/after meals.

Quote:

Originally posted by kdoubleu:
I appreciate your responses. Arkie6, I am on a hypoglycemic diet, which is an elimination of sugar and starches. And I follow all of the tips friend posted. Yet I still have discomfort. I do intend to go to more than one doctor, and will consider every other possiblity before surgery. There is no urgency, so I have time to consider this. Keep the advice coming, I'm eager to find a non-invasive solution!