Is the vagus nerve one cause for Gerd after surgery?

Hi Glennie, I know that you are waiting to have a Nissen's. Just wondered which hospital you were having it at?

Hi Julie,

I'm having 270 fundoplication - not 360. It's at my local hospital in Carlisle. Unfortunately the place has had a proper slating recently - but the surgeon is really good - and I am happy to go there. It's a day only surgery and anywhere alsdid only find out I was definately having the op just a couple of days before Christmas. Hoping Feb/Mar.

Sorry my laptop being totally random! Other options would be a long journey - and not wanting to travel that far when I know I am in good hands near home. 

Hi Glennie, glad that you don't have to wait too long for your op. I had mine done in L iverpool by a good surgeon. The op went really well but I still have reflux. I won' t dwell on it as I'm sure that yours will be a great success. I must just be one of the unlucky ones! Got the motility test on Monday, happy days!!

Hi Julie,

Hopefully they can see what's going on - and sort it out. It may not work for me - but I'm willing to give it a go. I have heard of people having fundo done again due to it not working right - and sometimes the stitches are too loose as opposed to too tight. If the surgeon was happy without doubt everything was right, I doubt they would be asking you to re-do motility test. Let me know how you get on!

Thanks for your reply Glennie, do you know of anybody who has had to have their Nissen redone? And if so how did they do? 

Why are you having a 270 nissen's as opposed to a 360? Clearly the surgeon assesses what individual patients need.

Thank u. I am so tired to feel like this after surgery I thought all the problems would be gone with the GB but no.

I've never felt reflux that was so bad like now. Do you know if the vagus nerve might settle in time? Have you ever heard about this?

 I hope I don't have to go through surgery again in this life. 

Thank u & all the best for your surgery. Why are you having the Nissen?

Hi Julie,

I've heard of a few people who have had to have the op done again - a few of them on this forum. Sometimes the operation doesn't go to plan - and the wrap is too tight or too loose - sometimes it can herniate. 

I am having a 270 as my surgeon reckons there's less problems - you are less likely to loose the belch/vomit ability, less worry that the wrap they make is too tight. I have a hiatus hernia too - so that will be repaired at the same time. If it means I can take the hideous plank from under my bed (that I keep stubbing my toe on) I will be happy!

Thanks for the reply Glennie, if I'm honest I don't know if my Nissens was 360 or not. I also had a hernia repair. I've got a lot of faith in the surgeon he's one of the best in the North West so I can only go by his advice. It's really nice to be able to talk to people who understand what it's like to have these issues as you don't want to keep on to your family.

Hi Leni,

The vagus nerve can cause all types of problems - when I was having problems with my hiatus hernia a few months ago (more settled just now - fingers crossed) I had the most horrendous jaw pain - I ended up going to my dentist! She couldn't find anything and gave me pain killers - I have only recently found out that it was my vagus nerve being 'tweaked' by my hernia. It can cause pains in your arms, legs, back and neck - basically it's a very big branch of nerve that runs pretty much the length of your body - and part is located behind your diaphram. If you have a hiatus hernia - it will usually be around this area - and can upset this nerve. It could settle by itself - I have on/off troubles with it.

As for surgery again - I'd see what they find - I've heard people have had gallstones and hernias - noone likes operations - but it's better to get fixed than not. I am having my operation due to severe reflux and hiatus hernia. It has effected my life in such a way that I don't have a social life anymore - and this will be the first Christmas i have not put any weight on! I can't tolerate PPI's which are the best meds to tackle this - and am now on ranitidine 300mg twice a day - which is not ideal - but with a strict diet and lifestlye - usually keep symptoms bareable. I worry about long term use of acid supressants as they stop you absorbing vitamin B12 and aslo leads to magnesium levels plummeting as you can't digest proteins properly. I would rather give the op a go! 

Anyway enough of me rabbiting on! I hope you get some answers! 

Please let me know how you get on!

Hi Julie,

I know what you mean! I don't think people realise how bad this can be unless they have experienced it themselves. Are you having another 24hr ph test after having the motility test? 

Hi Glennie, yes am having the 24 hour motility test. This is where they put in a fine bore Naso-gastric and measure the refluxes. But you know that already don't you Glennie because you've had it done haven't you? It's not pleasant is it? But a necessary evil. Any thing that can help sort out this thing I'll do.

Hi Julie,

Yes I have had the manometry and 24 hour ph test. Found it to be an unusual experience. It's not as bad as an endoscopy - and it's a bit weird when you eat and have the tube tug on your nose! I did find that I tried to avoid sitting in a place where people would see my nose tube taped to my face - didn't like being stared at! Didn't really help that I was staying in a hotel for the night - but the hospital I had to go to was a 140 mile round trip from home! 

I'm sure you will be feeling pretty awful right now - as you will be without meds. I'm quite glad they are doing this though, as the test results will prove if the repair you have done is working - or whether they need to investigate further - shows your surgeon really cares! 

Good luck with it! Let me know how it goes!