Swallowing issues 1 year after Hiatal hernia surgery & Lap Nissen.

Good Morning,
I had the identical operation in early June. I do have a lot of gas and have almost thrown up when anything gets stuck and won't go down. I am unaware of what your Dr. told you when you were finished.... I was told that my esophagus was of little help, stay on soft foods for the rest of my life. Masticate very well anything I eat. Take sips of water after each bite. I had a motility test of the esophagus the day before the operation so that he would know whether to do a full or partial wrap. Due to the low motility (his words, your esophagus is of little help), he did a partial wrap and a partial mesh implant. I have not had any reflux since that operation and I would rather eat soft foods than go thru what I did for 14 years.

After mine, I was told to eat small bites, and swallow nothing larger than a pea! Also, sip rather than drink! It took 3-4 mos, but I can swallow easier now. I also had a valve replaced between the Esophagus. You probably had that too! I just can't burp or throw-up any more.
I was told, "get the flu, it's gotta go thru!"

I am scheduled for a laproscopic hiatal hernia repair and Nissen Fundoplication at Mayo Rochester in a few weeks. I was hoping to read some positive things at this site, but frankly all the postings are scaring the crap out of me! I am almost ready to back out of the surgery. My paraesophageal hernia is Stage 4 (giant) and my spleen has herniated into the diaphragm; it has gotten much larger in the past couple of years. I do not have symptoms that I cannot live with -- some acid reflux, bloating, but I can control reasonably well by eating smaller meals and staying away from irritating foods and alchohol. I have Barrett's esophagus (short segment; no dysplasia) for many years and treat with omeprazole with regular follow-up EGDs. I have never had surgery or anesthesia of any type (I do EGDs and colonoscopies without sedation), and needless to say, I am fearful of the hiatal repair surgery, although the Mayo surgeon and anestheseologist have provided a good level of comfort. My fear of not having surgery is a strangulation or a volvus. I am a reasonably healthy 73 year old, spend a good part of my time in Ireland, and I don't want to have an emergency situation present itself. As expected, no one can give me reliable odds of the chance of an emergency, and I am not getting any younger.... Does anyone have any positive words for me? Good outcome they have had -- or at least not a terrible one? Especially if your surgery was done at Mayo, I would be interested in hearing from you. Thanks in advance.

I am scheduled for a laproscopic hiatal hernia repair and Nissen Fundoplication at Mayo Rochester in a few weeks. I was hoping to read some positive things at this site, but frankly all the postings are scaring the crap out of me! I am almost ready to back out of the surgery. My paraesophageal hernia is Stage 4 (giant) and my spleen has herniated into the diaphragm; it has gotten much larger in the past couple of years. I do not have symptoms that I cannot live with -- some acid reflux, bloating, but I can control reasonably well by eating smaller meals and staying away from irritating foods and alchohol. I have Barrett's esophagus (short segment; no dysplasia) for many years and treat with omeprazole with regular follow-up EGDs. I have never had surgery or anesthesia of any type (I do EGDs and colonoscopies without sedation), and needless to say, I am fearful of the hiatal repair surgery, although the Mayo surgeon and anestheseologist have provided a good level of comfort. My fear of not having surgery is a strangulation or a volvus. I am a reasonably healthy 73 year old, spend a good part of my time in Ireland, and I don't want to have an emergency situation present itself. As expected, no one can give me reliable odds of the chance of an emergency, and I am not getting any younger.... Does anyone have any positive words for me? Good outcome they have had -- or at least not a terrible one? Especially if your surgery was done at Mayo, I would be interested in hearing from you. Thanks in advance.

I am scheduled for a laproscopic hiatal hernia repair and Nissen Fundoplication at Mayo Rochester in a few weeks. I was hoping to read some positive things at this site, but frankly all the postings are scaring the crap out of me! I am almost ready to back out of the surgery. My paraesophageal hernia is Stage 4 (giant) and my spleen has herniated into the diaphragm; it has gotten much larger in the past couple of years. I do not have symptoms that I cannot live with -- some acid reflux, bloating, but I can control reasonably well by eating smaller meals and staying away from irritating foods and alchohol. I have Barrett's esophagus (short segment; no dysplasia) for many years and treat with omeprazole with regular follow-up EGDs. I have never had surgery or anesthesia of any type (I do EGDs and colonoscopies without sedation), and needless to say, I am fearful of the hiatal repair surgery, although the Mayo surgeon and anestheseologist have provided a good level of comfort. My fear of not having surgery is a strangulation or a volvus. I am a reasonably healthy 73 year old, spend a good part of my time in Ireland, and I don't want to have an emergency situation present itself. As expected, no one can give me reliable odds of the chance of an emergency, and I am not getting any younger.... Does anyone have any positive words for me? Good outcome they have had -- or at least not a terrible one? Especially if your surgery was done at Mayo, I would be interested in hearing from you. Thanks in advance.