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heartburn after Nissan fundoplication and hiatus hernia

Posted , 4 users are following.

brinal30613
brinal30613

Has anyone had the Nissan fundoplication surgery, and had the heartburn return? It's 10mths now since I had the surgery, was a slow recovery, was nearly 3 months before I could eat a normal meal. After I was fine, was able to eat almost everything, except wine, which would burn. But as of late I have been having heart burn, waking up at 3am and having to take gaviscon  I never did go off the PPI's, was on a high dose of 80mg, and still am on that high dose, but I am still having the heartburn, some days are really bad, while others days are ok. The other day I had a real bad night stomach was making loud grumbling noises, it has settled a bit now, my portion size of food are very small. Stomach still rumbles a bit. Iron levels are also low. Wondering if there is anyone who has experienced heartburn after the fundo surgery? Energy levels are very low, get tired very easily.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Barretts
    Barretts brinal30613

    Posted

    Sorry to hear that.

    94% of Nissen fundoplication recipients reported only occasional or fewer reflux symptoms at 20-year follow-up (according to a recent study) , looks ike you're one of the unlucky ones. Discuss this with your doctor. It sounds like your wrap wasn't tight enough or has become loose. For most of us, the fundo obviated any need for continued PPIs.

    I had been on 80mg omeprazole prior to my fundo 8 years ago and didn't need them afterwards. However, my wrap came loose following 5 hours violent retching due to norovirus and my heartburn came back. I had to have it redone a couple of years ago. My surgeon (a really excellent one I could recommend at Suthampton) performed a Colli-Nissen revision which is more permanent.

    Are you receiving any medication for low iron? I was also anaemic when on 80mg omeprazole from induced hypochlorhydria.

    • brinal30613
      brinal30613 Barretts

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply, so you think the wrap might be loose or come undone? That's what I was thinking.

      about he low iron, I am having iron injections once a fortnight for about 6 weeks.

      i am from Australia, so not sure if the Colli-Nissen is done here.

      that must have been really bad violent retching, would have been so painful! You must have a really good surgeon.

      i don't think I could go through another fundo! First one was too traumatic for my body, and my mind. I also have Barrett's, think I am due for a scope this year.

    • Barretts
      Barretts brinal30613

      Posted

      Just returned from a couple of months in Australia a few days ago. Brisbane, Noosa, Cairns and Sydney). Great country.

      Sorry it was a mistype in original. The procedure is actually a Collis-Nissen.

      The Collis part effectively lengthens the oesophagus by resectioning the stomach to provide a longer area for the wrap to grip on. I imagine there are upper GI surgeons in Australia who can do it but you'd need to take advice on who are the best surgeons out there.

      But it was a bigger operation than the first and took longer for recovery.

    • brinal30613
      brinal30613 Barretts

      Posted

      I am sure you would have had an amazing time here in Australia, I am from Sydney - I've bee to Cairns as well the climate is always warm up in Cairns, love the tropical weather up there. But I also love my Sydney!

      will have to find out more about the GI Doctors here in Sydney, and if they are aware of the Collis-Nissan procedure.

      i am having a phone appt. with my surgeon on Monday, will have to see what he thinks.

    • mike1954
      mike1954 brinal30613

      Posted

      Hi brinal

      I am Mike. Live in Brisbane.  I was diagnosed with Barrett's last year.  never had a day's heartburn before the diagnosis.  But I went through hell after my first ever endoscopy with really bad heartburn.  Couldn't eat anything even a glass of water would get my heartburn down.  Am now on PPIs and am doing ok but i am thinking of getting the op done for my hiatus hernia.  I am having a problem finding a good GI doctor here inn Brissie.  Who was your doctor in Sydney?  Would you recommend him?  I am thinking of moving to Sydney anyway so it might help in my decision if i could find a good doctor there.  COuld you help please?

    • brinal30613
      brinal30613 mike1954

      Posted

      Hi Mike,

      Sorry to hear about health issues, it is strange that you did not have heart burn prior to the endoscopy. You must have had some reflux damage though to have been diagnosed with Barrett's.

      It is very hard finding a good Surgeon and GI Dr. After a bit of research,I finally found a really good surgeon, Prof. Reginal Lord, at St. VIncents Clinic.

      Darlinghurst.

      my GI Dr. Was Dr. Michael Bourke. He's in Westmead.

      i will be seeing Prof. Lord again at the end of October, and find out more about the results of the fundo surgery.

      So you just want to repair the hiatus hernia? 

      You are not going for the fundo?

      the GI Dr. Will probably want to see how you go with your PPIs, it's only if the PPIs are not working - would they recommend surgery.. What dosage are you on for the PPIs?

    • mike1954
      mike1954 brinal30613

      Posted

      Hi Brinal

      Thanks for your quick reply.  I take Nexium 20mgs in the morning and 40 mgs in the evening. So 60 mg altogether.

      I thought the fundo includes repairing the hernia.  Can you just repair the hernia without having a fundo?

      Apparently people tell me you can have silent reflux where you dont have any symptoms such as heartburn etc.  so I don't know.  I know i had not had a days heartburn till i had my endoscopy and the doctor who was not a GI told me I had a hernia and BE.  I initially saw my GP because I was getting stomach pains.  He did a few blood tests and thought i had pancreatitis (high Lipase level).  So he referred me to a pancreatic specialist who did the endoscopy.  Since then I saw a GI in Brisbane who specialises in BE who has told me he does not think I have Barretts.  But he also changed my meds and I had a lot of problems so I am  not sure what to amke of him..

      Maybe when I move to Sydney I shall see your docs.  Were you pleased with the  outcome of your fundo and with Dr Lord who performed the surgery?  Would you recommend having the surgery?  

      The meds seem to work with me but i get a lot of bloating and a lot of bitterness in my mouth and i am having problems with my throat too.

  • susan44391
    susan44391 brinal30613

    Posted

    Sounds like you may be anaemic after major surgery and small meals for months. Maybe should have an iron count.
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