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Anyone familiar with the Stretta procedure for curing reflux?

Posted , 28 users are following.

tyra21865
tyra21865

It doesn't have to be from someone who's necessarily HAD the Stretta - although hearing first hand experience would be awesome - but just anyone who knows about it and/ or has an opinion on it one way or another.

I'm about to have the Stretta performed in the coming month if all my tests indicate, so would love to get additional thoughts on it if possible.

2 likes, 59 replies

59 Replies

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  • elizabethG
    elizabethG tyra21865

    Posted

    Hi Barretts and tyra,

    I have my Stretta treatment tomorrow. Feeling apprehensive but trusting for success.

    Been shopping for liquid diet. Not easy to work out a good liquid diet, that will nourish me for next three weeks. Not concerned that it is liquid only, I am possitive that I can manage that. I have not been able to eat large amounts as it is and so many foods I have not been able to eat anyway. So pretty much accustomed to change in diet. Wondering if the hospital will give me a diet sheet.

    Also managed to get my liquid painkiller for the few days following. Need to check if I am to take ant acid. I asked at the chemist they say if I am to take, then to ask GP for zolon fastabs that melt in mouth or losec mups dispersible.

    Staying at a friends tomorrow because of the sedation.  Will write again on Thursday : )

    • tyra21865
      tyra21865 elizabethG

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth,  I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner! Sending you all my best wishes for a smooth recovery post Stretta, and that it was a complete success for you..  it's been very busy here and i haven't had a chance to check in on this site for a while for lots of reasons, but glad I saw this before I leave. My flight to the US is tonight and I will definitely, as promised, keep you posted on my experience (in private message) once I get mine.  

      I hope you're doing well. I would love to hear how it's going as and when you have time to check in here..I've prepared *nothing* in terms of a liquid diet for myself yet -- so a bit apprehensive about how I'll manage that..but we'll see.

      Sending lots of positive thoughts xxx ♥

    • elizabethG
      elizabethG tyra21865

      Posted

      Hi Tyra best wishes for your treatment.

      Mine was a bit like having an endoscopy. Very straight forward.

      I am doing well.

      Best wishes

    • AK2707
      AK2707 elizabethG

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth

      Hope you well and hope you are feeling better after Stretta

      I am going to go for this treatment, however wanted to know how it is after procedure?

      can you please share something 

      Thank you

      Ak

    • susan20303
      susan20303 elizabethG

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth did your throats clearing ever stop after Stretta? I had the procedure done 6 weeks ago.

      Thnx

      Susan

    • patricia47473
      patricia47473 AK2707

      Posted

      Hello Elizabeth, 

      i hope you are well, i noticed that you had the stretta procedure 6 months ago. Please could you post an update on how you are  doing? 

      Is everything going well? Are there any limitations on what you can eat? 

      Was the procedure worth it? 

      Im having a terrible time with this acid reflux business so id love to hear how your doing. Many thanks , patricia. 

    • patricia47473
      patricia47473 susan20303

      Posted

      HI Susan, 

      i noticed your coming up to 1 month after the stretta. Please could you write a breif update on how things are going for you?  

      Thank you, Patrcia.

    • patricia47473
      patricia47473 AK2707

      Posted

      Hi Ak, 

      Did you have the procedure? If you did, how are things going? 

      Hope to hear from you, Patricia.

    • patricia47473
      patricia47473 elizabethG

      Posted

      Hello Elizabeth, 

      i hope you are well, i noticed that you had the stretta procedure 6 months ago. Please could you post an update on how you are  doing? 

      Is everything going well? Are there any limitations on what you can eat? 

      Was the procedure worth it? 

      Im having a terrible time with this acid reflux business so id love to hear how your doing. Many thanks , patricia. 

  • jessandtess
    jessandtess tyra21865

    Posted

    Hi Elizabeth, I hope your Stretta treatment went well.  I am apprehensive too but I'd love to hear about your experience.  What is involved with the procedure?  Why is there a liquid diet after if it's not invasive?  Please let me know - I suffer daily from GERD for years now and the medicine is not always helpful.  Thank you.

  • elizabethG
    elizabethG tyra21865

    Posted

    Hello 

    patricia, jessandtess, susan20303, AK2707

    Thank you to you all, for enquiring about my Stretta treament.

    It has all gone very well, the procedure is straight forward here in the UK.

    I followed the Specialists treatment and advice on diet to the letter.

    This aiding a good healing, in the recovery of the Stretta treatment.

    Diet following Stretta procedure, 3 weeks liquid and then 6 weeks soft food.

    This aiding a good healing in the recovery of, the Stretta treatment. 

    The liquid diet is hard as you get into the 3 weeks, but no harder than some people have to experience with other graver illnesses. This was my attitude of mind, to aid this prodedure to heal really well, I followed my Specialists advice.

    I am recovered in my Esophagus, I do not choke and cough in my throat.

    My body feels calm and happy, without all the coughing and I do not now suffer the reflux. I am however, still careful with my diet of foods that can cause excess acid. 

    I believe the damage in my wind pipe is still healing. I can feel some irritation part way down but have heard that the healing of the lining of the wind pipe does take time.

    I recommend Stretta treatment, including following the aid to healing, following the diets for 9 weeks following the procedure.

    Best wishes to you all  : )

    elizabethG

    • Dee150238
      Dee150238 elizabethG

      Posted

      Hello Elizabeth 

      my husband is really suffering re acid reflux and was interested in your story.  We live in U.K. Kingston.   Did you really have to fight to get your stretto treatment on the national health and also how are you now. My husband had camera sowed Barrett's hyatusherna and also ulcers.  Unfortunately then had heart attack before he was due to have second camera.   Now of course everything on hold as he also has to have a second stent fitted re another heart artery which is part blocked. He is really suffering with the acid and of course on medication for heart and acid. Many thanks.  Dee l

    • elizabethG
      elizabethG Dee150238

      Posted

      Hello Dee,

      I had my Stretta done on the NHS, in the North East UK.

      I was what was called, a suitable candidate for the treatment, with my good health generally.

      You need to find out, if Stretta is done in your Area. 

      Stretta is a non invasive treatment but is afterall, Radio Frequency beams, low down in the Oesophagus. I do believe that other Surgeons are interested in training for this procedure, so it may become more available across the UK in the near future.

      ​With the Ulcers, it may not be possible to proceed with the treatment. The Surgeon is the one who can advise on this. No one else other than the Surgeon who is Qualified to do this treatment, can confirm this. 

      So if possible in your area, an appointment would be the way forward to confirm either way. 

      I had been seeing another Specialist for my Reflux at my local hospital. 

      I was unsure about an operation. It was then that he told me, if I wanted the Stretta treatment to ask my GP to refer me; as the treatment was Available at another Hospital.

      Up here, you have to be referred by the GP.  

      Care with Diet of course, is a main must in our stomach situations.

      Best wishes elizabethG

       

    • Dee150238
      Dee150238 elizabethG

      Posted

      Hello againElizabeth

      sorry did not see your first message about NHS.  Will certainly explore the possibility for my husband as yours has been so successful.   Regards.  

      Dee L

    • judith52783
      judith52783 elizabethG

      Posted

      Hello Elizabeth

      I'm due to have the Stretta procedure in March at a hospital in Middlesbrough on the NHS. I was woundering did your hospital help you with a liquid diet plan after surgery. I have become very under weight and I'm worried about losing more after the procedure.  Hope you are continuing to feel better.

      many thank

      Judith

       

    • davidwoody
      davidwoody judith52783

      Posted

      Hi Judith

      I'm booked in to have it done in Edinburgh in March.  My consultant said simply avoid crisps, nuts, toast / anything hard for the first week then you should be OK thereafter.  There is no diet plan being offered.  I will try to do a liquid diet for as long as possible (a week or two) to aid healing though before moving onto a soft diet.  I have created my own list having researched liquid diets on the internet e.g. revive drinks / complan, an abundance of soups, milkshakes, jelly, ice-cream, custard, anything super blended, moving up to tinned spagetti, rice pudding, shepherds pie etc.  I was told to take co-codamol for the pain following the op if necessary.  I think you must however follow your consultants advice.

      Elizabeth - Thank you very much for setting up this blog and your advice - it has been a great help to me.  Hope all is well now? 

    • davidwoody
      davidwoody lesley11307

      Posted

      My consultant said eat normally just avoid crisps, nuts, toast, anything with sharp edges or skins on etc.  He was almost suggesting go straight to a soft diet.  I think its unnessary to do a clear liquid diet (unless you are comfortable with that) but please follow your own consultants advice!!!
    • kevin87783
      kevin87783 elizabethG

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth

      Good to to read your results from the op if you are still about would you have time for an update? Thnaks

    • jane08689
      jane08689 elizabethG

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth. Hope your still doing so well .Hope you dont mind a couple of questions but did yo have to have all the usuall test ie Bravo etc before being eligable for the Stretta?And where and who did it for you. 

      Thank You 

    • lona18790
      lona18790 elizabethG

      Posted

      Hello elizabethG, I am in the U.S. and just recently heard about Stretta. A gastro doctor told me it doesn't work. I'm still willing to try. How are your results 2 years after. Any reflux? Are you off meds completely, or do you still take something daily.

    • PorkSoda
      PorkSoda davidwoody

      Posted

      Hi David,

      Had a chat with Bupa today and they seem to have pretty strict criteria for Stretta qualification (they prefer laparoscopic Nissen, proven history of at least 3 motnhs that med's aren't helping, medical reason that Niseen can't be done - hiatus hernia up to 3cm, etc).  I've had diagnosed LPR (or extra-oesophageal reflux) for coming up 4 years.  I have a lax LES per endoscopy.  I wasn't for surgery when I was first diagnosed and gave med's a try but require intervention now.  Did you get covered for Stretta through a private healthcare insurer for your visit to the Edinburgh clinic or was it self funded?  (Assume this wasn't through NHS).  

      Thanks in advance.

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