Can you share some Nissen fundoplication success stories?

Posted by aliceorangebike @aliceorangebike, Nov 5, 2019

I’ve read a number of posts from people who are unhappy with the results of their Nissen fundoplication surgeries. I am considering having the surgery and would like to hear from people who are happy with their surgical outcomes. A recent New England Journal of Medicine article reported that two thirds of people are very satisfied with their Nissen outcomes. Do any of these people participate in these posts?

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Profile picture for pdilly @pdilly

Hello @aliceorangebike ! I’m glad you asked. I’ve had 2 Nissen fundiplication procedures and have been very happy with both. I have Barrett’s esophagus and will be on prevacid for the rest of my life. But the Nissen pretty much eliminated my reflux without any adverse effects.

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I was curious to know why you had two procedures? Did you like it so much that you had it done again? Did something go haywire with the first procedure?

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Profile picture for jferr3 @jferr3

I was curious to know why you had two procedures? Did you like it so much that you had it done again? Did something go haywire with the first procedure?

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“Did you like it so much that you had it done again?” That cracked me up! Actually, the first one was very successful and I was doing well until I started violently vomiting because of a gallbladder that was acting like it was on steroids!
THIS IS A CORRECTION! I’m old and I get things mixed up! I posted earlier today it was because of severe coughing due to my larynx not closing properly. That condition started years after my second Nissen and did not affect it at all! Hope that makes sense!

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Profile picture for cblue @cblue

I’m not sure if this is ok to ask, but if so what city or hospitals did you have it done? General surgeon, thoracic surgeon? Or gastro surgeon?

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I’m so sorry I am just now seeing this question over 2 years later!
Dr. Eric Paul in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is a general surgeon. At the time he did my Nissen. He had done hundreds after going thru training to do the Nissen fundiplication procedure.

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Profile picture for ageracer1122 @ageracer1122

I have had 2 Nissan surgeries, one in 2012 when I was 53yo and had bad GErD that turned into Barrett’s esophagus, the surgery went well, it took me about 6-8 weeks to fully recover . Then I had one Nov 6 2024, tomorrow will be 60 days , I lost 35lbs since the last surgery which made the surgeon happy and the surgery easier, I was up and walking 40 min after getting out of surgery. I felt pretty good until about day 45 after surgery, when I would eat my last meal of the night, no matter if it was a small piece of fish or a cup of soup, I’d get support nausea within 30 min of eating , my blood sugar would shoot up to ungodly numbers that I’d never seen before like 350, and then I would crash and BS would go down to 50. I would have to take 1 and sometimes two zofron. My surgeon was of little help and says , “sometimes this happens , talk to me in 90days” . I was miserable , I’m in healthcare and have many Dr friends , so I go to my Chinese Dr and she tells me to do three things. 1. Drink a cup of hot water after dinner. 2. As soon as that’s gone go for an 20 min walk. 3. When u get back put a red light band across your stomach for 20 min. I did this and the problem went away within 24 hours, after having it for nearly 3 weeks. She said sometimes the surgeon damages nerves that assist the stomach in emptying. The three elements she introduced help repair. Over the last six days , no problems , feel like I’m on the road to recovery !

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What's a red light band?

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Profile picture for faithann64 @faithann64

Never was told about dumping syndrome ! It's totally ridiculous what I've been going through the last 6 months. At surgery ( April 15th ) I was 243 pnds. I'm male, 5-11. Now at 193 pnds. Can't hardly eat anything, even liquids not comfortable going down . My primary has me back on liquid diet . I'm in constant stomach pain, sometimes the cramping is unbearable. Nausea, bloating, explosive diarrhea, hot flashes, heart palpitations, loud rumbling stomach, not possible to vomit after nissen fundoplication and hiatal hernia surgery. When I do eat I hafta stay close to bathroom, pretty much runs straight through me. It's affected every part of my life ! I see surgeon in couple days , looking like I'll probably be getting 2nd opinion !

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Same here!!

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I had it about four years ago and I will tell you all the problems I’ve had from it. I would never have it again and would advise anyone not to have it first of all, the surgeon cut my esophagus while doing that surgery. I was on a food line for a month, then liquids for another month, and then soft foods from that surgery. My vagal nerve was damaged and in the last year I have developed. gastro paresis. My stomach does not empty as it should and the food stays in there for days. Therefore, I have to be very careful what I eat. I used to eat very healthy, but unfortunately, all the healthy foods are prohibited because they take too long to digest. I recently had a colonoscopy and aspirated into my lungs due to the fluid. That remains in my stomach. So anytime I have surgery again, that will be a problem. Before all this I was extremely healthy, and only had reflux. If I had it to do over again I would do more research and modify my diet.

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I think it's scary that two-thirds on patients find the surgery successful. That means one-third had problems. In comparison when I needed a cataract removed, I asked the doctor about using an accommodative lens as the replacement. He said that had only a 95% success rate, and he thought that too low. I agree with the comment about exploring diet and lifestyle choices before signing up for surgery. If you depend on PPIs then just monitor yourself for kidney/bone density issues developing, as well as what other side effects can happen. If nothing is helping, then please research surgeons. For instance, my local GI doctor suggested surgery for me. I thought to myself: If I ever did have surgery, it wouldn't be with you. If you have surgery I hope you are within the two-thirds category.

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I had to do something. My stomach was resting on my heart and lungs, causing serious problems. I think, if I had known then what i know now, I would have gone for something less extreme.
But now I'm fine, I've lost weight, and I eat pretty much whatever I want. Just not too much, as my stomach is smaller and too much causes an upset stomach.

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I remember when I had my surgery in 2019 in Portland that was the worst decision I ever made. I didn’t even read the printouts about what I’m really getting into about blending all my food. I even had a blend yogurt because even the slightest fruit would’ve been would’ve hurt me and I had to blend scrambled eggs and I could not drink any pop or coffee or anything solid for Like 3 to 5 months and I went into a deep depression and I regretted my decision. I can’t even drink a can of soda without constantly passing gas for like a couple hours straight and every time I get sick guess what I can’t throw up if I get nauseous I have dry heaves and they hurt really bad. Everything has to go straight through back the other end so I regret it very much And now it’s starting to slip a little bit I lay down. I start coughing a lot and I might have to get it fixed or tighten back up a little bit.

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Does anyone know who the best to repair it in the Portland Oregon Area?

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