Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi
I am on a waiting list for surgery under the NHS.
I have been diagnosed with 5cm hiatus hernia and reflux Gordon (Gered)
Can any one let me know more about the operation and the recovery they have experienced .
Mostly how long it took them to get back to work.
Any foods that you can suggest I get in for after operation.
you could let me know how you coped too.
If any one can give me a few pointer to how they coped and things to look out for. I will be seeing my surgeon Dr Neville Menezes on 28th April 16.
If anyone can give me ideas on anything I should make sure I ask before surgery.
Thanks for you help in advance .
Any information would be gratefulyour received as closer it get it get a bit more scared.
1 like, 26 replies
chris10905 zena75822
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zena75822 chris10905
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My surgeon ha recommended I have surgery as had lots problem over the years got worse over last year with work stress and other stuff. But my dad died of stomach cancer so he has said If I don't have operation I could ended up going down that road too. He gave information to resurch before deciding but on 30 mg Lansoprazole in morning and Ranitidine 300mg before bed and it is now longer keeping in under control. Get ulcers in my mouth and wake up most morning with matalic taste in mouth. So looks like I don't have much option as I know how unpleasant stomach cancer is as I nursersed my dad through it.
louie02249 zena75822
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Barretts zena75822
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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.
chris10905 Barretts
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zena75822 Barretts
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I looked at Web page and was very good and full information.
What test do they normally do before you go down for surgery on day?
Surgon did say they give you some medicine day before to shrink liver.
but would tell more if wanted to see him before operation.
Up to me if I did or if decided I don't need to my chose .
But will be see him on 28th April.
Hope don't start to panic when gets closer but not got date for operation yet.
Thanks again for all you help and sharing your experiences with me
. Make me feel better about it when get positive results that people have had ..
gwen45436 Barretts
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gwen45436 zena75822
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G.
Barretts zena75822
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Good luck. Hope it goes as well for you as it did for me.
paul38620 zena75822
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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.
Barretts zena75822
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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.
paul38620 Barretts
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zena75822 paul38620
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paul38620 zena75822
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zena75822
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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.
Barretts zena75822
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My dad used to take Rennie like sweets and died when I was a young teen (in the early '60s) of a heart attack. He probably thought it was just indigestion again.
And I used Rennies, and probably still would be if it hadn't been I developed kidney stones from that excess calcium which prompted my doctor to send me for a scope from which I discovered I had Barrett's 22 years ago.
But now we know that Barrett's can mutate to cancer, those of us who have been identified with it receive regular scopes every few years watching out for the tell tale first signs of dysplastic changes so ablation can be provided to reduce risks of cancerous progression.
But as I said above, for me reflux reduction surgery was the best thing I ever did and it gave me my life back.
I wrote a blog of my surgery on my personal website www ChrisRob co uk where it may be found some way down the Barrett's page.
zena75822 Barretts
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I will definitely take a look at you Web site and try look at the other information. Alway helpful to know others storys from exspence. Rather than just text book stuff. As I said as much information is good to help me prepaire for surgery and help me recovery and any problems I might occur that other may have exsperanced that I can prohaps avoid . Thanks again for you help in this . How long did take you to recover and did you have any problems with eating and getting from soft liquid foods to solids. Also can you eat normally now..
Barretts zena75822
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After my wrap came loose (from norovirus), I had a second operation - a Collis-Nissen revision. That was a more major operation requiring resectioning of the stomach to effectively increase the length of the oeosphagus for a more permanent wrap. That took quite a bit longer to recover from as, eating too much or too quickly caused "dumping syndrome" (similar to a diabetic attack). But I eat normally now.
cristi29906 zena75822
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What did the Doc say on your April 28th appointment???
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