Fundoplication and hernia repair

Hi, I was in a similar boat to you, living on 60mg Lanzoprazole a day, and in between taking ranitidine, gaviscon, rennies, basically anything I could get my hands on to make me feel better with no improvement. I had my op in March for my fundo, also aged 24! Reflux wise I feel great, the operation seems to have really helped and I went to see my consultant on Thurs who is really happy with me. I am so glad I had the op because I really felt reflux was ruining my life. I wasn't able to go out with friends and get drunk cause of feeling so rough from even half a glass of prosecco, I wasn't able to eat a lot of things without feeling awful and without even realising it, I was becoming really depressed. It had started to effect work as I was constantly off sick. I think until. You suffer with reflux you don't really understand how crap it makes you feel! 

Since having my op, I have had some issues with my bowel but both my surgeon and consultant don't think it is linked to the op and I am struggling to get back to work... But as I say that's a completely different issue.

i firmly recommend the surgery being somebody who is the same age as you!! X 

I am much older and had the surgery - it has been a success, providing you think about what you eat.  Smaller portions, more often.  I could not keep any food down at all, but at least I am not sick now after every mouthfull or meal.  My recovery time was quite long - 6 weeks.  I stocked up on soft foods - jelly and ice cream, soup, rissotto, custard, rice pudding etc.  Just make sure you do not eat bulky, dry foods.  I still have issue with bread and chips - mainly because I am lazy when it comes to chewing.  There is loads of advice on the site and it is good to keep up with the forums for feedback.  Good luck with the op

Yes Stephanie I agree to weigh all options - can it be controlled with medication/diet? I had the pH test which was as high as 49 and that was taking 2 Zegerid in the morning and 2 in the evening. So quadruple the normal dose. I also had a Upper GI that was + for Barrett's Esophagus. I am 55 and my grandmother died at age 56 of stomach cancer. These were all factors in my decision to have the surgery.

Hi Stephanie, 

I Hope all goes well, '

Im still waiting on an ednoscopy, because doctors dont seem to know what I have, though My GP said it was a severe case of Acid Reflux, and it can take a toll on your life, as we all know, its only August , and Im still waiting for that appointment here in New Zealand at the Waikato Hospital . 

It worries me a little,they did all tests, Throat Swab, Blood test, everythign test, barium swallow test, I also have a feeling of food stuck inside my throat, but when they did the barium swallow test nothing actually come back, this is where they watch the liquid in an xray go down your throat incase something could be preventing it or obstructing the liquidd from going down so now I await an appointment, I wish they would hurry the process along cause its actually really time consuming'., and they said it could take up to 4 months to be seen from a specialist'. which really sucks to be honest, Im trying to keep positive, yes the feeling of Acid reflux, is Not nice . it can take over your whole life, even more so to the point where you dont want to go out anywhere. cause its embarassing'. its almost like a lethargic feeling'it completely wears me out'. the Burping moreso . all the best for you and your surgery . I am too on pantoprazole'. but I feel like it doesnt really do wonders to be honest'.Does the pantoprazole do anything for you or should I say the OMeprazole do anything for your situation Please Keep informed and let us know how it all goes with the Surgery. All the best 

Hey stephanie do you also have problems with Burping continuously alot, and have you lost weight at all, I have , I went to the doctors the other day , and he was like, oh are you taking the pantoprazole, I said Yes I am , and he said, and did it work? I said no , and he said, Well it probably isnt anything, .. I said, ANd you know this How? some doctors are lazy I tell Ya , expecially when they cant find the cause, Iv been referred to a specialist, and am still awaiting an appointment, could take up to 4 months, its just the waiting. while I still suffer with This, My Actual GP said it could be Sever Acid Reflux, I really cant tolerate it in other words, it takes over my whole life and makes me depressed.. Iv lost a bit of weight, I try and keep my eating up , I find that spicey foods makes it and I end up feeling nauseated'. I feel nauseated everyday , I hope that your surgery is a success keep us informed. Also I have been on pantoprazole as well. so im still waiting to be seen , I feel like I have another month to wait'. which is ridiculous, they expect us to wait and merrily carry on with our lives'. while feeling the discomfort and pain of it all'. Do you eat much during the day at all? and if so what foods trigger of your reflux?

Hello Stephanie,

I'm sorry to hear you have Barretts. I've been told I have Barretts three times after endo's but each time the histology(luckiliy for me) has proved negative.  I had this surgery 10 years ago and  it cured a life long problem with reflux and all manner of complications that go with it. It does make your stomach smaller and you can neither vomit nor burp. The air you swallow goes all the way through you so this can be uncomfortable and embarassing, you can never chew gum again! This seemed a small price to pay for the relief of daily pain and the chance  of developing Barretts and worse. However in my case and, I imagine many others, the prodedure is not very durable, After 8 years the symptoms slowly returned and I am now back on 40mg Omeprazole a day, each and every day. If anything my condition is worse than before the operation but it's impossible to say how my untreated condtion would have been after this time. I run a housebuilding company and during the recent financial crisis I left the office and went back to site. I believe the strain losened the wrap and caused it to slip or become misplaced in such a way that anything in my stomach is being pushed up the oesophagus.. The consultant concurs with this. It would seem that this prodedure is at a higher risk of failure for people who do strenuous work or are fat.

The procedure is not reversible and(with hindsight) I would have tried  all other options before having this done. There is a new procedure called Linx in which a "elastic" expanding  band is fitted  This is reversible so if it's no good you can always go for the Fundo'. I would find out about this. My physician warned me years ago that surgeons are great enthusiasts of the procedures they have mastered and they are just as vulnerable to a lack of objectivity as any other human being.

There also seems to be a great reluctance within the NHS to carry out "redos" as they are called. I've read lots of American info' where redos seem quite common but they as carry a higher risk  surgeons here seem wary of doing them. If anyone has had a redo I'd love to know. Good luck and I hope sharing my experience is helpful.

Hi Stephanie,

I had a 270 toupet fundoplication back in March. I am 46 - and it has worked fantastically for me. I can burp - probably better than I used to - the thing is - and I will admit this myself - when it goes well you don't tend to go into forums - as you don't feel the need. I very ocassionally pop in here - to try and be a balance! I had 3 weeks off work - and was back eating normally by about 8 weeks. It does take time for things to settle down - but for me it was well worth the wait. The only difference is you can't eat the same volume of food - but that's no bad thing. I can't comment on vomiting - as I've had no stomach issues since my op! I think I could though! If you have any questions ask away!