Awaiting on surgery for gastro-oesophagus reflux disease

Firstly, whatever anyone else has written, surgery is, for many of us, the best option. And it is reversible if it were ever necessary.

I'm assuming it will be Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication. I had this 8 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I'd been scared but now wonder why I waited so long.

If you visit the free www DownWithAcid org uk website / book, you will find an option grid in the appendices produced by NICE comparing surgery and lifetime PPIs.

There is also a chapter in the book looking at different fundoplication procedures.

I know I have a high pain threshhold and I heal quickly but for me there was nothing to it. I went into hospital in the morning and had all the tests - ECGs etc. and was walked to the operating theatre. Lying on a trolley in the anti-chamber, the anaesthetist said, "Now I'll make you forget me" as he emptied the syringe into the cannula. Next I knew I was still on the trolley and feeling thirsty.

Went home next day having had a very small portion of rather solid porridge for breakfast and another very small portion of fish pie for lunch.

And the only pain meds I needed were a few suluble paracetamol for what felt like mild bruising. Some patients, however, do notice more pain and if necessary they'll make morphine available. One area you may not expect pain but may notice it is the shoulders: it's a consequence of having inflated your abdomen with air to provide space for the instruments. 5 small puncture wounds heal quickly to leave no signs.

You will be advised to eat liquid or mushy foods for a few weeks gradually increasing in volume and solidity as your body permits. You'll feel full quickly and are typically likely to lose about 20lbs in the first two or three weeks.

Within a couple of days, I started gentle exercise - walking around the block slowly - to regain my stamina.

I don't know Neville Menezes but I've checked his profile and I'm sure he'll do a good job.

All the best for 28th and you're welcome to PM me if you wish to know more.

You should be told all about the post-op diet, and how you will go from gentle clear-liquid meals up to soft ones during the healing period and beyond, so that you don't hurt or overstretch your stomach. Unless you're allergic to dairy, dairy should be included dietarily too at some point. I have gastritis and like millions of people now enjoy low-fat milk and milk-protein-based drinks, in my case so much with each meal, without any mucous increase, and research data refutes this belief.

If the surgery is done laparascopically (smaller incision keyhole surgery), then two to three weeks should be the period for returning to work, depending on what kind of work you do. Open surgery could be four to six weeks.

As Chris says, fundoplication surgery is irreversible, but in ten years around 90% of people remain free of reflux and related symptoms, so it is generally highly effective, but do discuss any worries or queries with your doctors.

If necessary, LNF is reversible.

I had a Collis-Nissen revision a couple of years back because my wrap had loosened due to 5 hours violent retching from a norovirus attack. That needed the original wrap to be undone first. A good surgeon can undo a wrap whatever scare stories you're sold.

Thanks for replying to me.

I have been suffering off and one for number years but in last year's

symptoms got bit worse medication had been increased as before

was just taking Lansoprazole when needed or before taking any

other medication.

Due to work stress and other stress full issues in life symptoms

seam to get lot worse and was getting ulcers in mouth teeth were

more sensitive and nasty matelick taste in mouth especially when

you waking in morning. People tell me smelt like you been eating

strong garlic when you haven't so went back to Dr .was referred to

have Barium swallow this suggested a slight prominent lower

oesophagus sphincter was noted. also had blood test for Mouth

ulcers sjogrens, splendid ( nothing show in blood test.)

Then referred for upper GI endoscopy back in August 2015.

The result from that were large hiatus hernia sliding of 5cm and

oesophagitis/reflux. Test for Helicobater. Pylori was negative.

My medication was then changed to Omeprazole 20mg for 4 weeks.

also to be reviewed with the upper GI surgical team for their opinion.

I went back to Dr as was not getting any better was referred to

GI surgical team. Saw Mr Nevillegal Menezes.

He changed my medication as 20 mg Omeprazole did not agree

with me as was making me very bloated and was not helping.

I was also getting a funny feeling with right ear type pins needles

or as funny to explain but never had this before endoscopy or

taking these tables.

He changed medication to 30mg Lansoprazole in morning and

300mg Rantidine before bed .

He told me I would need medication all my life for the reflux.

He said was too early at that stage to consider surgery as though

I was not mentally ready to discuss any operation as wrote down

for some sights for me to do regarding the Gastro-oesophagitis

reflux disease,the medical and the surgical treatment and long-tearm

management.

He told me to think about it and if decided I needed to undergo

procedure to get back to him or my Dr and arrange to see him

again and that I would need them to carry out a manometer test

prior to operation.

He told me surgery would be anti-reflux lapasscopc surgery.

Went away did reading up wasn't getting any better so was referred

back to Mr Neville Menezes.

He when the over what he told me 5 small incision on abdomin and

Wrap part stomach round to make repair.

Can only have liquid food for about 2 months or so like custard

soups. He arranged for me to have a manometer which I told him

I did not think I would be able to have done as think the thought

makes me panic. He told me not to worry but try if real can't done

get stressed out he would have to do with out but really do needo

information they get. Surprised with help of very nice caring NHS

staff managed to work with me and get me through it.

Lets say was not best experienceof my life but don't want to frighten

Anyone else that might need test done. I had very bad vomiting reflex

while have this done but do sent happen to everyone.

( I was put out for endoscopy as could bear thought of it but not

an option for this test). I did not have the smaller 24 cable one done

mine was the thicker cable were your linked to computer to swallow

and have to fast for 6 hours before no water or food.

You need to swollow on conmand so can match with computer for test

The cable is hi tech over 500 grand of equipment

loverly staff real looked after me as was scared stiff and didn't

Think be able to do it but with their kindness and care we made it

and hopefully they will have all results they need as told was only

one shot at doing it.

They even made me nice cuppa tea with biscuits and told me to sit

For while before leaving and if wanted more just ask staff as they

Had to see next patient.

Have appointed to see Mr Menezes on 28 April 2016 to discuss

anything else I want to before surgery and also to find out what

the Manometry report came up with.

My dad died Stomach cancer 25 years ago .

I asked Mr Menezes if I didn't have treatment would it be going

down same road as my dad did as recognised some symptoms

As I nursed him through when he had stomach cancer.

(Always scared me in could get same.)

He said 25 years ago they did take reflux acid stomach so

serious justhe given ant acid likebana rennes tums stuff and left

To get on with it would never been referred to surgeon back then

but realised now it more serious than thought back then .

So try to find other people that had this done to help me cope with

it all. Any advise is welcome be whigh ever way want to know

truth from people been through it.

I know every ones different but any help appreciated as got my

headaround needing surgery just need to focus on coping after

and what to exspect .

Sorry this bit long winded but hope this helps anyone else as

I'm not one to want anyone to operate on me real if I could avoid

as Strong with anything else in life but not with having any sort

operation as I have needle phobia as well so getting canulau in

hand freak me out let a lonely the rest.

Thanks every one.