Julie Thankyou so much for your very comprehensive report on your surgery. Date for my Nissan fund implication and hiatal hernia repair is 15 April. Like you I am planning to get soups and soft desserts in the freezer for post operation. I do have a concern re warnings that I may not be able to swallow afterwards and this is concerning to me, but I have found your report so reassuring. Three weeks and 3 days to some relief I hope.
Best of luck with your op next month, I'm still waiting for NHS to get back with funding then will get date for my op same as you FUNDIPLICATION and Hiatus Hernia repair.. Not looking forward to it and the recovery but if it cures my reflux I will be happy.. M
Thank you so much for your best wishes Mag2. I do hope you get some news soon. 22days to my op. I guess I am apprehensive but my surgeon says we have to go for this. My oesophagal spasms are really bad on top of all the other symptoms. Going to start some food prep in a week or so for afterwards. Will look out for any news from you. Take care.
Hi there, what are your symptons. Do you have breathing diffuculties and a chronic cough and constant throat clearing feeling of catarrh in throat, many things can set off the breathing problem, smells, temperature changes and anxiety, had this for a long time, planned to have another endoscopy soon as 4 years ago, I had one and they took polyps away. Also just looked at my notes aquired from Docs today and during tests 4 years ago I see I have a small hiatus hernia, which I didn't know about. Have you had an operation yet. regards
Dear Julie. Just read your very informative post. I don't know whether this thread is still live but I would love to know how you are getting on now? I have a hiatus hernia and severe acid reflux for 7 months and cannot bear the pain anymore. Am being referred to GI specialist and have read so many horror stories and tales about people having to fight to have the operation. I know it is a last option and not to be taken lightly. I would love to hear from you if you receive this post. Thank you.
Dear Elaine. Yes I have breathing difficulties, cough and now crackly voice change. Think my breathing is bad because of a significant hiatus hernia. The cough etc is through acid and bile burning my oesophagus. My operation is booked for 15 April. My surgeon says we have no choice it must be done. Take care. J
So pleased for you that it's worked for you.
l had the same op, one year ago and all was fine at first,, have a bit of reflux but nothing like it used to be, however l am experiencing diarrhoea as soon as I eat, not happening all the time, done a log of what I've eaten, but nothing is showing up too what is causing it, just wondering if it's down to the op, going to have the camera down and up in April.
have you experienced anything like this?
Ann, your problems could be related to gastric dumping syndrome from eating too much or too quickly rather than the composition of the foods?
The stomach is smaller and fills quicker than we realise. It can then dump its contents too soon into the duodenum. In more extreme cases, this can cause symptoms similar to diabetics of sweating, palpitations, disorientation and even blacking out. But your stomach will slowly continue to exand and cope with the problem. I have experienced all these symptoms following my Collis-Nissen revision 2 years ago; my stomach has taken all this time to get nearly normal.
Ok, thanks for reply
Hi Julie
I am on a waiting list for surgery.
The surgeon told me it's 4 month waiting list for surgery.
I had a Barium Swallow done first as was scared of having
Endoscopy. I had to be sedated for Endoscopy test done as
could not bear thought of just being able to sit there and have
done saw my surgeon Mr Menzie he siad was a candidate for
surgery as I have 5cm hiatus hernia and reflex Gord.
I was put on his surgery waiting list then which is about 4 months.
I was then sent to have manometer. which I told surgeon I really
didn't think be able to go through with but due to wonderful staff
they got me through the it . I had the thicker monitor not the 24 hrs one
Was not the best experience in my life but staff were very caring and Good
i got through to it which is didn't think be able to.
I will be seeing surgeon again 28 April before surgery .
I don't have date yet but trying to read up on what to expect.
Getting nervous but reading what you have said is good as was
worrying about recovery. Especially about eating again after.
Wasn't sure what best type of food when you on the liquid diet or
what stuff I should avoid. I'm sure he will tell me more when next
see him. But be helpful if I can get any questions I need to ask
him before the surgery.
Hope all goes as well for me as it seams to have gone for you.
Reading has helped some what. I was told be on liquid diet for
about 2 months and expect to loss some weight and to eat small
meal frequently
Special knowing what to get in for eating and how others cope.
My Surgeon I'm under is Mr Menzie.
I belive it will be done at Ashford and St Peters Hospital under
the NHS as this is that area is live. If you can give me any more
tips on how to cope after.
I was told I will be off work for about 10 days but will feel bit
weaker as will be on liquid diet for 2 months or there abouts and
Will need to haves small frequent meals.
How are you getting on now as I belive your surgery was a year
ago now so be interested to now how things gone and are you
able to eat normal again yet...
Thank you for the information you loged think has helped me get
My head around it all.
Kind Regards
Zena
HELLO LOVE, I was pleased to get your reply, did your problems ease a bit at times, were your breathing problems due to what I mentioned in my first message, smells, temperatures etc. Sometimes I think I feel OK then realise I haven't spoken to anyone and I like talking, the coughing can be embarrassing and annoying to my hubby, only because he is worried for me, did you have any allergy testing. When I lay down in bed I usually start by sleeping on my right side but have a feeling of heaviness in my lungs and shortage of breath, I am lucky to have a bed that can raise if needed. Thanks for your reply, please let me know how you get on with your operation. I am thinking of seeing another consultant privately, it's difficult to know one who specialises in these complaints, is it respiratory or gastro, I live in the North West if there is anyone out there who could recommend someone. Kind regards Elaine
Only eat small bowl of porridge one day and within 15 minutes get diarrhoea, next time l eat porridge and I'm fine, l can't pin point what is causing the diarrhoea, it can happen for 3 to 4 days, then stops for a little while, then starts again.
Thankyou for such an informative and positive post.
Im 63 and have been suffering with Reflux and a HH for years.
At the start I only felt ill after eating out or even going to a party. I tried not eating, eating, not drinking, drinking, eating before I went out, sleeping before I went out but nothing worked, so I stopped going out!!!
Now... Well, I now feel so unwell and uncomfortable daily. I have breathing problems even if I get up from the sofa and climbing the stairs is challanging.
I cant burp or vomit. I get to the wretching stage with a fountain of saliva then as I heave all that come out is noise!!!
I had an emergency op last September to remove my Gall Bladder but this did little to make my reflux better as I have a low fat diet anyway.
I also have Fibromyalgia which I could cope with had I not got a HH and Barretts.
I had to stop work 2 years ago and now get tired and uncomfortable doing most things and can only spend a max of 20 mins in the garden and have set up a table and chair so I dont have to bend too much.
I am booked to see a GI consultant at Coventry University Hospital on June 14th.
Its taken an age to get to the this point with around 5 endoscopies, a barium swallow and trying all the drugs available.
Im on Tramadol and Amyltriptaline ( for Fibro) and Esomaprozole, which helps with the heartburn but doesnt relieve my other symptoms.
I remarried in July 2013 and my poor new husband has coped with this condition wonderfully, but Im not the woman he fell in love with!!
We are going to Spain in a week and it fills me with a little dread. A year ago I had a severe reflux attack on the plane on the way home and had to spend 2 hours sitting bolt upright trying to control my breathing and the need to be sick.
I do find that if I can get to bed and get to sleep lying on my back, my symptoms get better only to return when I eat.
The maddening thing is the size of my upper abdomen, it looks like I swalled a foot ball and my weight gain is depressing...
I so hope that the Consultant will agree to doing the Op... my life isnt worth living at the moment and this is NOT what retirement should be
Im sick and tired of feeling unwell and almost housebound...
I want my life back please and long to enjoy my new and joyous marriage!
I had this operation on 4th may 2016 after suffering for over 3 years with acid reflux that tablets only partially controlled. After much research I decided to go ahead with the nissen fundoplication thinking the operation if a success had to be better than a lifetime of medication. My surgeon was very good and made it quite clear that risks and complications that came with the operation and even the morning of the surgery was giving me the option of changing my mind. I went ahead with the operation and unfortunately during laparoscopic way the operation had to be converted to fully opening of the stomach due to a splenic bleed. I spent a day in intensive care and a further 6 days in hospital and have never known pain like this, even 3 c-sections couldn't prepare me for this. I still however feel it was the right choice and that even though my recovery is going to be an awful lot longer than expected I haven't had to take an medication for reflux since the morning of my operation. Anyone thinking of having this procedure should definitely do an awful lot of research, try and talk to others who have had it done and ask the surgeon their success rate with patients who they have performed this operation on. Mine had a very good rate and unfortunately I was the only person in 5 years he had to convert to fully open the stomach ☹ .
Hi, you are very brave. I have my date for FUNDIPLICATION and Hiatus Hernia repair for June 8th I have read so much online, this forum I have found helpful, I'm terrified about it all but like you I feel the results will be better than meds and symptoms I have suffered from for what I can only remember as alk my 46 years on this earth. I wouldn't say they are totally life limiting, but the constant phlegm, cold like symptoms in my nose, chest pain and nausea, I think I'm doing the right thing. I'm self employed and worry a bit about recovery time, I'm aiming for 6-8 weeks. I'm a housekeeper for several house's which I've had regular for over 16 years so all my ladies I clean for are quite good about me being away for the time..
Good luck with the rest of your recovery.
Margaret
Hi Margaret. Thank you for your kind words. I'm sure you will be absolutely fine in your operation and it may not feel like it immediately after your operation but give it time and it will probably be the best decision you made. One of the things that I kept finding when researching was that the majority of people, given the option would still choose the operation over a lifetime of medication and reflux symptoms. Also if your operation is managed to be done by keyhole surgery you will probably be well recovered before 6-8 weeks. They originally gave me about 3 weeks recovery if done by keyhole and about 8 weeks now they converted it to fully opening the stomach. Just take each day as it comes, keep on top of your pain relief and start by eating very small portions of pureed food a few times a day, imagine it as feeding a baby their very first food and slowly progress in thickness and quantity to prevent bloating and stomach discomfort. Good luck for your operation. 😊 xx
Julie,
I too had the 360 nissen fundoplication surgery 7 weeks ago and have done ok. But I have noticed now I have some mild heartburn which I never had before and chest tightness on and off. I was told my diaphragm is still healing as this is considered major surgery. Unfortunately, my anxiety gets the better of me and adds to the symptoms. Are you still doing well or noticed any recurring or new symptoms?
Jennifer
I am sorry to hear this about ur friend and I agree with you. Anyone considering this operation should only do if they are absolutely certain of all aspects of side effects. I am 8 weeks post surgery, I had mine done on the Nhs. I was ill informed of many things and waited 2 years for this surgery for it to go wrong. My laparoscopy was reverted to open surgery after the surgeon accidentally cut my spleen. Please please if u consider this do not be afraid to ask whether your surgeon is practiced in this surgery. I have since been told by a surgeon that it is a very difficult procedure to do laparoscopy and should only be done by an experienced surgeon in this field. I too have breathing issues and I am now under a chest physician for this, and was recently diagnosed with disfunctional breathing. I did many many months of research myself on the internet prior to surgery and decided it was the best route to take but in hindsight now I would not of had this surgery. I am still very limited in what I can eat, I cannot tolerate alcohol and I still have extreme nausea every day. Does anyone else get this?? I know it is early days yet. I was unlucky that this happened to me but please just be 100% sure that it is your only option- I am still unable to return to work due to my breathing issues.
I had the surgery 4wks ago. I too am dealing with anxiety. I can't seem to put on wieght after loosing 20 pounds. The chest discomfort , and the digestion issues are horrendous.
Hi donnski,
I have just come across your post. The exact same thing happened to me.. The surgeon went in laparoscopically and cut my spleen, after trying to stop the bleed for an hour another surgeon decided that I would have to be opened up. I too was in intensive care and had 5 pints of blood transfused. Obviously with open surgery it can create quite a lot of other issues, infections clots etc. how do you feel now?? I am 8 weeks Post op. I'm having issues with nausea and constipation- have you suffered these? Due to being opened up symptoms u present are different from laparoscopic so it's nice to be able to swap stories..