Just had Laroscopic Nissen Fundoplication - good experience so far!

Hi Elizabeth,

I've been very quiet on here recently and have been meaning to post an update!

It's been well over a year since my surgery now and I feel completely back to normal. The acid reflux has gone completely and apart from a mild burning sensation around the esophagus sometimes I have no symptoms at all.

I had a few ups and downs the first few months after surgery. I had to ver very careful what I ate and had a number of ocassions where food got stuck. It was uncomfortable but not painful and after a few minutes went back to normal and I was able to carry on eating. The first time it happened scared me a bit but I got used to it very quickly. It took 6 months or so before I could eat without fear of food getting stuck but you learn what to do very quickly to avoid this. Now I can eat anything including all of the things I was warned I might not be able to eat!

The only things I find I struggle with are fizzy drinks. I tend to be able to drink them if I take it slowly or give them a stirto get rid of some of the fizz. If I don't then I get a bit of bloating but again nothing serious. I've just adapted my drinking habits and drink more wine instead!

Exercise hasn't been a problem. I'm managing to work out at the gym, ski, go rock climbing, etc without any issues. Again I was a bit wary at first but everything has been fine.

The issues I have had have been:

1. Food getting a bit stuck and possibly some acid reflux. This was a few months ago and my surgeon performed an endoscopy with a balloon which was used to stretch the wrap. This seemed to make things slightly better and these symptons have resolved themselves over time anyway.

2. A stomach bug at the 6 month mark. I was violently sick a number of times over a 24 hour period. I wasn't able to bring up food as I had done before the operation, mainly small amounts of liquid and bile. It wasn't a great experience (being sick never is!) but wasn't painful. I had been concerned that being sick might have affected the wrap but the endoscopy I mentioned showed that all was OK. 

So all in all I would consider my operation a total success and would recommend it to anyone else. It has been life changing for me as the acid was causing me a few problems previously which was affecting my quality of life.

I hope that helps?

Thanks,

Ben

Feel free to ask any other questions if you have any!

Thank you for replying so quickly i am just really scared i have my op on the 17th october im worrying what to eat afterwards and iv read a lot of horror stories where people are having difficulty in breathing afterwards i know you shouldnt read too much into things on the internet but weve all done it! Worrying im not going to be the same person i have struggled with heartburn for 9 years now since having my son sorry for being a pest

Thanks again

Elizabeth

It's no problem at all! I hadn't done any reading about the after effects until a few days before the op except the ones that the surgeon told me about. Once I started reading on the internet I too found lots of horror stories and even on the morning of the operation was ready to cancel it. My surgeon who I trusted completely was very dismissive of the stories I'd read and although they can happen are highly unlikely. He gave me the confidence to go ahead with the op and now I'm 100% glad that I did!

I've had no difficulty breathing since the operation and I'm not sure if this is a possible side effect. I guess there are people who may have developed breathing problems anyway without the op so maybe the op isn't always at fault?

Have you met your surgeon and has he been able to explain everything to you and give you statistics on the likley outcomes? That helped me a lot to have the confidence to go ahead!

I havent met the surgeon yet i assume ill meet him the day of my op iv spoken to the consultant who refered me for the op and all he said was that hes happy to offer the op due to me suffering for so long and that have to eat sloppy foods liquid diet for 2 weeks after op may struggle eating white bread and fizzy pop every again so not much info been provided its noce to speak to someone whos gone through the same thing so what foods did u eat after your surgery if you can remember

I had Weetabix the following morning with a cup of tea. The surgeon then encouraged me to eat whatever I felt I could manage as long as I was confortable with it. His view was that pushing things as much as possible would help to ensure the scar tissue heals with some flexibility. I think I kept to soup, cereal, pasta, etc for a couple of weeks. I tried some chips at the end of week 2 but the got stuck very quicky so I was a bit more careful after that! I don't have any problems with bread now including hamburger buns which I'd struggled with even before the op! I think my advice diet wise would be to not rule anything out in the long term. Just keep trying things and if they cause a problem lay off them for a bit and try again later. It worked for me.

Thank you so much im starting to feel a bit better about the op now with speaking to you i have been getting myself into a bit of a state but hopefully with speaking to you you have reassured me its not as bad as i thought it would be

I'm glad I've been able to help. I wish I'd found this page before my op! Good luck with the operation and let us know how you get on!

Hi Ben, thanks for posting ..... I wondered how long you were on PPI therapy before you decided to go for the operation. I like you am relatively young (not as young as you, I am 37), and diagnosed 4 months ago. PPIs and ranetidine aren't working fully, and I am already thinking of surgery for the long term benefits. Any advise on how long you went with the pills much appreciated! 

I think my symptoms started around 2009. I started on omeprazole which I really struggled with due to severe IBS type symptoms. I can't remember if I came off PPIs completely or went to Lanzopraole instead but had definitely ended up on Lanzoprazole in 2011/2012. I was seeing a private GP at that point due to working away from home who suggested trying it for 3 months then coming off it to see if the symptoms returned. They did and I ended up going for 6 months or so on them. The GP had suggested an endoscopy but due to a change of job I ended up seeing a different GP and the idea of the endoscopy kind of got forgotten about. At this point the symptoms were still mildish (heartburn, shortness of breath) so I didn't feel any urgency to get anything done. I continued with Lanzoprazole on and off from then until the op.

By 2014 the symptoms were getting much worse. I had bouts where I would wake up at night with a mouth full of acid and my voice was really being affected. I saw a GP around Christmas 2014 who referred me to a specialist for the endoscopy. My local NHS doesn't perform this procedure so I was referred privately but funded by the NHS so every option seemed to be on the table if I wanted it. I had the choice between living with it, having a fundplication or going for Lynx. Due to my age at the time (37) I knew I needed to have something done as continued damage for the rest of my life obviously brings other complications.

I was booked in to have the fundoplication in September and in early September ended up attending A&E due to waking up in the night coughing up blood. This was put down to esophagitis but due to the upcoming operation the A&E consultant was happy to leave things as they were as long as they dien't worsen. This confirmed that having the fundoplication was the right decision!

If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask!

Hi Elizabeth

I had the op nearly 3 weeks ago now. I have been reading Ben's post and my path to the op was exactly the same. I had to have an ECG and breathing tests as I am asthmatic and they were concerned if I was up to having the op. I saw the anaesthetist about the week before and got the all clear. I too was scared. However the op was a success and I have had no reflux probs. Different hospitals have different guidelines for post op success. I am in the north and my surgery was at James Cook University hospital. Everyone was lovely. I have been told to do 4 weeks of liquids i.e. Soup, strained porridge, ice cream.thin custard, yoghurt no bits! Then I can go to a sloppy diet fish mash fine mince I am looking forward to that! I have had tomato soup in the past 2 weeks and that would always give me burning. My only problem has been having a poo! Nothing much in nearly 2 weeks so I have Laxido to take. Ben's posts are great! Thank you Ben so helpful. Good luck Elizabeth. I can keep posting my recovery on here too. X

Hi Ben Thank you for all your information. I have followed the same path as as you up to the op which was almost 3 weeks ago now. I too was scared but it was the best decision and I'm glad I've had it done. On liquids for 4 weeks and then I can have mash, fish, fine mince, stewed fruit etc I am dreaming of roast dinners, fish and chips, toast, Indians oh my goodness all comfort food! At the moment I notice if I gulp a mouthful of water and swallow it does seem to get stuck. I hope I have no probs when I get onto the next stage as I want to be able to enjoy Christmas! Couple of q's did you say you had breathing probs before the op? I am asthmatic and I thought it was that but now I think it wasn't as I am pretty good now. Mind you I have lost a stone since the op hoping for more too. Also no one said you couldn't be sick? That's a worry if you get a bug. But I read what you said and obviously you can. I do burp a lot and I'm glad I can as I need to when I'm swallowing. All just a slow process I guess.

Patsy

Hi patsy good to hear your op and recovery are going well im having mine on 17th oct im really nervous and anxious thinking am not gonna be able to swallow etc but will reading your comment and bens its given me the confidence to have the op still nervous mind but iv suffered with reflux g.e.r.d for 9/10 years now im only 27 and am sick of suffering i would like you to keep me posted on your progress as i will with mine thanks for the message

Hi Patsy, I found for a good few weeks if I swallowed too much water at once I could feel it in my chest as if there was a funnel where my esophagus is. The water would back up a bit and would pass my esophagus slower than I was taking it in. It wasn't uncomfortable or painful just something I could feel. That passed with time though. I'd been diagnosed with allergy asthma although I don't think this was a formal diagnosis. That has completely gone but I'd put this more down to not working in London any more with all of the pollution walking to and from the office. I also lost a stone although I'd gained a stone in the few years prior to the op so I was more than happy with that!

It did take a while to get back to eating the volume I could before, probably due to the reduction in the size of my stomach. It was probably a good 6-8 months before I could finish a full meal again so I ended up eating small amounts but more often to stop any further weight loss. I'm back to normal amounts again now although spicy food can still be a bit of a problem, although not above the esophagus.

I'd recommend using an app such as MyFitnessPal to monitor your calorie intake if weight loss could be an issue. You can make sure that the food you are eating is enough to maintain weight and whether you need to supplement your food with anything else. Very useful!

I found out about the not being sick part two days before my op. That bit terrified me the most I think but in practice this hasn't been a problem. Although I'm a lot more careful not to drink alcohol to the point where there is any possibility of being sick. I really don't want to go there unless I have no choice!

Hi patsy i know you said your op was a success but are you happy you had it done im from Bradford and having mine done at bradford royal infirmary its day surgery so ill be in and out the same day if everything goes to plan i keep talking myself into having it done and then talking myself out of it again

Hi Elizabeth yes I am absolutely happy I had it done. You will be fine. I was worried about breathing and swallowing. Both were fine. I stayed in overnight as they had been worried before that my lungs and heart were ok as years ago I had an asthma attack and had gone into cardiac arrest. The anaesthetist gave me the all clear and that made me feel better. Really it was just the GA that takes it out of you. Best advice is to to ask for pain relief If you need it and they do give you some to take home anyway. My reflux has gone. The pain I had has gone which I used to think was my heart. No burning even with tomato soup now. Of course I am still on liquids but I have a good feel about this.

Keep asking and in contact Elizabeth even right up til your op. I'll be here.

Patsy x

Hi Ben thanks for all that information. I am hoping to still lose more weight as during the last 5 years I have put a couple of stone on I certainly don't need! I will have a look at the app you have suggested and when I am back to work I shall monitor my steps again. It is so good on here to find people who have experienced the same probs and especially when you can see that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Glad to hear your recovery has gone from strength to strength. I am hoping that I don't need anything else. I am seeing my consultant again on the 24 Nov. I did say to him how would I know if anything needed re doing? He said by the time I see him at his clinic I would know. Is this if food gets stuck? I will have to just be careful I guess.

Thanks Patsy

How long did it take you to move round afterwards then iv still got the school run to do my husbands took the week off to help but im hoping im not laid up too poorly. Im trying to be more positive now reading how your getting on instead of thinking the negative and the thought of never having heartburn again is fantastic its just going to be hard woth the liquid diet in finding foods to eat i too need to lose a bit of weight so this will help.

Thanks

Elizabeth x

Hi Patsy, My surgeon told me that after the operation there should be no acid at all and the difference should be immediate however I think it was all a bit tender down there for a good few weeks so I had a few instances where I though I had acid but in reality this was probably just from the effects of the op. About 8 months in I did feel I had some acid and was still getting some food a bit stuck ocassionally. The acid wasn't as bad as before but I'm fairly sure that I'd woken up with small amounts in my throat and mouth again. I saw the surgeon again who explained that the wrap might be a little bit tight, preventing some small amounts of food getting through the esophagus. These were then coming back up and were feeling like acid. I had another endoscopy to check all was OK (this was after the sickness bug so I was concerned about the effects of that as well) but everything was fine. During the endoscopy a balloon was used to stretch the area of the wrap a little bit to solve the problem and fingers crossed I've had no issues since. I've been told I can go back again and have it stretched a bit more if necessary. 

I'd expect it to take a few months after the op for everything to be back to normal. I think this can be up to a year to 18 months but for me I got to the stage of not being reminded of it after about 9-10 months. Obviously it's getting easier all the time in those 10 months.

Thanks,

Ben

Ben , thanks for replying. My symptoms are significantly less severe than yours were, yours sound terrible so I am glad it's worked out for you. I am relatively mild, though still have a tickle cough, occasional heartburn , and a general feeling of discomfort. Ive cut out alcohol, coffee and chocolate...things I love, but didn't over indulge on. Otherwise I am a picture of health. Because of that I wonder about the surgery , to reset back to normal, and I guess I don't want to be on medication forever and would like to have it deal with! Not sure that my symptoms would convince the doctor, but for me it's the long term risks and drug taking that are more of a concern, along with a desire to get a more "normal" diet. I'll investigate with my GP next week, see what he thinks. I have the option for private, so that might make a difference I suppose. My pharmacist suggested investigation of anxiety (I buy his hypothesis as I am a bit anxious) and I was seriously stressed out when all this began (moved house, another surgery, work issues). Rambling now....but thanks again!

Thanks Ben I'll keep an eye and may want to ask you more.

Hi it took a few days to move around. Do you walk or drive for the school run? My hubby took 3days off inclu the Wednesday I had the op. Let others do things for you. DOnt lift anything. I had a booklet written by doctors and patients about how I would feel and all the do's and don'ts. I googled also other hospital's guidelines up and down the country to compare. They all differ with timescales for how long say you are on the liquid diet and then start the sloppy diet...I am now 3 weeks through... next week on Thursday I am going to start on mash, fish, mince . Listen to your body Elizabeth if it hurts don't! X

By the way I've lost a stone now. Keep posting on here as I know your op is Monday. You will be fine. Be guided by your consultant and listen to what they tell you. If you are not sure ask. My stitches have dissolved now. No pain now. I overdid it bit yesterday. So I'm resting today. I go back to work on the 24th. I'm cooking for hubby and my son.....the smells are doing my head in! I want to eat everything they have roast chicken tonight 😳X

I walk i dont drive so my husband will have to take him then he breaks up the following week so thats ok. Bless you cooking roast chicken bet its tourture id be the same dreading it but will look forward to losing the weight and to be heartburn free and not have to drink gaviscon like its pop will be great lol i keep looking online at things to have afterwards gonna get jelly custard and soups this weekend x

It's torture roast potatoes, stuffing yorkshire puds.....usually we have a roast on a Sunday and my hubby cooks then. Seeing as I'm off and feeling better I seem to be putting myself through it by cooking loads of delicious food 🙁. You can have custard too and yoghurts no bits. I bought ready brek but found I had to strain it to get it liquid like. Today I didn't strain it very milky but it was ok. Also bought Complan in Boots. They do chicken soup, milkshakes and the ordinary Complan (some don't like it but I found it ok) I find I just have something when I want it. Haven't stuck to 3 meals a day at all. Some days it's been one and then later ice cream or custard. Smaller amounts is better when you feel hungry. X

Iv been eating all my favourite foods this week and bought treats in for the weekend im also having a sort of christmas dinner on sunday seen as i know i cant have anything for a while and dont know how ill be eating by christmas lol crazy i know but you never think you wont be able to eat your favourite things do you, ill have a look at the complan shakes this weekend and get some in to try x

I did that too Elizabeth..I had been on a diet after a holiday (lost 7lbs) but then thought I'm going to have good few days before I have the op! My op was on the Wednesday (was given a weeks notice of the date) I went out with the girls on the Friday....had a few too many drinks! Then out for a meal with the hubby on the Saturday had one wine and then had a few good meals up to the op. Interesting yesterday I felt really hungry! Kept eating well liquids lol!! Then hungry again. Walking further too, doing jobs around house and going to see'Bridget Jones Baby' tonight with my friend.....hubby is going for an Indian with her hubby!! I am jealous 🙁Ha ha!! X

Glad to hear your moving around more and getting some sort of an appetite back you seem to be coping well and getting on with it. Enjoy your film i've seen it you and your friend wont be disappointed and as for your hubby having an indian well least you have mash,mince or fish to look forward to next week haha. Keep in touch

Elizabeth x

Hi Elizabeth yep film was really good we were laughing our heads off! We met the boys in the pub after.....I was going have squash!! But then I decided orange juice would be ok and it was. Really missed having a wine or g&t 😕But hey ho! Yesterday I had porridge without straining it and was fine. Finding my portions are still only small can't manage a full one. Have been out to lunch a couple of times and asked for thin soup! Had tomato in one place( they tried to strain leek n potato but apparently it looked like dishwater so they didn't want to give me that!) the other was pea n mint but that was very globally!!? Very nice but both times only had half the bowl. Found if it's too much I feel awful full and very uncomfortable so don't push it! It's a month on Wed since op and I am feeling ready for the next stage. Just going to take it easy but going shopping today for fish, pots, cottage/cream cheese, fruit to stew and mince!! Are you having your Christmas dinner today? Good luck for tomorrow's op. I will be thinking of you. Like you I was told if I didn't have it now it would be defo further down the line.

Patsy xx

Thank you and yes having a big dinner with starter and pudding for afters i am feeling very anxious today and hate the fact of being put to sleep which is silly i know cos they wouldnt put me to sleep of i wasnt fit enough you cant help fearing the worse i suppose and then the not knowing of how ill feel afterwards as well didnt sleep great last night so doubt i will tonight thank you again for you support means a lot and im really glad you are recovering well and hope i do the same x

Oh sounds delicious! I was exactly the same. Didn't sleep either. I had the same concerns but just thought go with the flow and it will be all over soon. When I was on the pre op ward there were 2 ladies either side of me one was having a heart op and the other was 30 and having a full hysterectomy. The latter was very relaxed she told me she had 2 children and was having it done as her mum and sisters had cancer. So brave I thought what am I worried about? Everyone was very nice. I said I was nervous and they were really good. I was on my phone til I went down...I took a snapchat of my compression socks and sent it to my friends. All my work friends were missing me so everyone is very supportive. Take some mags and keep in touch with people. It makes the time go. Lots of luck xxx

Hi Patsy how are you? My op went fine however on the morning i nearly chickened out and my consultant/surgeon had to come reassure me its early days but no reflux and feeling loads better my diet however has been different to yours i dont have to have a liquid diet but have to have a sloppy diet so been eating mash fish soft veg ready brek soups etc cant eat alot as i feel full quickly. I dint have stitches i got staples so need to go for them out next thursday. I did have to stay in hospital pre-assessment got it wrong when i saw them a few weeks before my op so i think thats why i may have got upset on the day of my op but so far im fine resting and wondering around the house in no pain i hope you are tolerating a sloppier diet other than liquids i havent got anything stuck as of yet and hope not to i am however quiet windy haha i have burped a couple of times but not like i used to the gas prefers the other end haha.Look forward to hearing from you and thanks again.

Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth Ah I have been thinking about you all week and wondering how you are. I am fine. Four and a half weeks in and on the sloppy diet now. Far better than liquids! Driving again now...I have more energy and go back to work on Monday. I have lost 22 and a half pounds too. Biggest problem was not being able to poo in the first 2 weeks! Laxido was prescribed and did the job. Did have a bit of a problem with stitches...sticking out and catching my clothes...really painful! So found it easier to wear leggings and loose tops rather than fitted jeans. Had to see the nurse to have them taken out this week. Jeans were back on today. Glad u r ok and you didn't chicken out! Straight to sloppy too! I get wind too both ends lol! Both seem to release pressure top and bottom so to speak 😂. Being very careful and nothing stuck either yes chew carefully. Been out today and I had a small red wine had a glass of water with it...feel good no reflux or pain. Really pleased you are good! It is all worth it! Keep letting me know how you are 😊

Patsy xx

Hi Patsy

Hope your well and settled back into work, i'm fine just tired and lack of energy at the moment suppose my op was only 2 weeks ago so its understandable im feeling this way. How are you coping with your sloppy diet? Im doing ok with the diet just not knowing what to eat for lunch and tea is a pain i refuse to blend meat sounds horrible what are you eating? I had my staples out last week they were very sore and i had a reaction to the metal for some reason there healing nicely now with some antibiotic cream hope to here from you soon

Elizabeth xx

Hi Elizabeth yes not too bad thanks. Yes settled back into work at the end of my second week. Last week still felt tired and ended up doing extra as someone was off. Think you will feel tired for awhile yet. Rest up if you can. The staples sound like how my stitches were....catching on my clothes and uncomfortable. Glad they out and you are healing well. I started off well on the sloppy diet. It was so much better than the liquids! But I got carried away the other night when I was out with my friends...I had a jacket potato with tuna. Unfortunately I was full after half the jacket but kept eating! Also had some of the salad and had a medium glass of red wine too. OMG I was in so much pain in bed I was nearly crying! So much wind too! So I am back on the liquids for a few days plus I bought myself a few jars of baby food!! I have felt so much better the last couple of days. I am supposed to be out the weekend. It's my friends birthday Saturday and mine Tuesday. Not going tomorrow night as can't face not eating a proper meal and having a drink. We are going to York on Saturday as a four to celebrate the birthdays. Ok will be shopping but no drinking and I don't know if I can eat there! On the sloppy diet I cooked some mince and blended it. Added seasoning and some plum tomatoes. Then made a topping of swede/carrot mash. Froze these. I've had some small smoked haddock mash and a few peas. Also stewed plums and custard. I've printed off some info for after the op from a few different hospitals. I'll send you a link for one really good one. It gave me far more options under food headings that I could have. I am surprised how much wind I have! I burp after every mouthful even water. I can't swallow too much like gulp anything. Seem to have loads out the other end too! I see my consultant on the 24th again. It will be 2 months since my op so hope to be on with other foods by then. Let me know how you are doing.

Love Patsy xxx

The link I mentioned above is

http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/nutrition/pages/diet-after-nissen-fundoplication-surgery.aspx

Patsy x

Hi Ben,

​Really appreciate you posting and sending the updates.

How long ago did you have the surgery?

Are there any ongoing issues?

Are there foods or beverages you absolutely cannot tolerate?

​Did all of the issues get resolved with surgery or are there still any issues not resolved?

Are you able to burp or vomit?

​Please keep the updates coming. Thank you!

Hi Elizabeth just wondering how you are doing? Over 8 weeks since op. Now have been trying other foods like meat. One of my worst was toast. It got stuck and the pain in my chest back and shoulder was bad! Have learnt to eat small bits and really chew before swallowing. Can eat most things again which is really exciting. I have lost 26lbs and hope to continue. I have unfortunately got a chest infection at the moment and my asthma is not good! More time off work which I don't like. Thinking immune system needs a boot will do this when better. Hope all ok with you.

Patsy x

Hi patsy everythings going fine iv neen eating most things now iv managed to eat toast but only brown bread dont want to try white as my consultant said browns easier to digest, i get pains in the left side of my chest and left ribs when i do too much or when iv eaten sometimes its not a very nice feeling but soon passes. I am also struggling with bowel movements sometimes i only go once a week and dont want to be reliant on laxotives forever so i refuse to take them. I still get tired quickly and am still trying not to lift heavy things i havent had any reflux to date but am getting myself anxious and worried thinking ill get it its a strange one, glad your eating ok sorry to hear youve got a chest infection the horrible great british weather keep in touch

Elizabeth xx

Hi Elizabeth

Merry Christmas!! Hope you are ok and still recovering well. I am good finally got over the chest infection and really feeling like my old self. Eating almost everything and even drinking gin and tonic again! There are still some niggles. Upside is no burning and can eat the things I couldn't before. Downside is I burp constantly....whilst eating. Sometimes I feel very uncomfortable after swallowing it's like a funnel and I know it's taking awhile to go down. I also feel absolutely ravenous or very full. Need to get this right. Looking to hearing from you and how you are doing. X

Merry christmas patsy hope you had a good one yes i am fine eating pretty much what o want now braved a lager over xmas onky managed two felt too full after get full quite quick i dont seem t burp as much as i used to although the wind likes to come from the other end i am having problems with my bowels and a few chest pains but apart from having to keep an eye on that im doing very well and am very happy i chose to have the op i would rather suffer with feeling full quicker than having reflux happy new year xx