Recent Nissen fundoplication: Will I be normal again?

@lisalucier thank you for the tag. @sallyvic , I am so sorry you are having distress with this - and that is SO normal.
First - you did NOTHING wrong.
Second, your body will never be exactly the same, but hopefully will adjust to a new normal.

I have had so many gastro revisions. I had a LINX in May 2020. I had chemotherapy in 2021 and the LINX immediately stopped working. The gastro symptoms were worse than ever. I then had my initial fundiplication. It lasted no time. My symptoms became devastating. I sought out a new doctor in Houston. He did a fundiplication revision in Feb 2023. It turned out that the entire procedure had ‘come apart’. The surgeon described it as my stomach overlaying my stomach - if that makes sense. I had massive adhesions. Like - no wonder I was burning and taking 5 to 6 nexium per day. That fundiplication slipped (unfortunately) and I ended up having a gastric bypass i Dec 2023. The bypass was the very best thing ever. It gave me back my life. Ive had food adjustments - which was fine. I already didn’t overeat. I was 126 lbs when I did the bypass. I now weigh 112.
Im SO glad I did this.
I know having a major issue like you had is horrible .
I know it feels like it will never be the same.
Im so sorry you had to go through this.
I hope your recovery is steady and strong and that you begin to feel a new normal.
Wishing you all the best!

@sallyvic - thinking of you today. How's your recovery from the Nissen fundoplication going?

Just when I thought I might calm down after my stomach surgery, I was hit with a concern regarding multicysts on my ovary. These were discovered during that stomach surgery. Now, the doctor tells me there's more surgery in my future to remove them, my ovaries and fallopian tubes . I'm praying they turn out to be benign. There are more sleepless nights ahead. I'm looking for similar diagnoses that anyone has experienced.

@sallyvic - when it rains, it pours sometimes, huh? Argh. I am sorry. I also hope they are benign and can be removed simply or just forgotten about.

I found that personally, when I was having testing for neuroendocrine tumor, that the medical professionals just kept finding "other stuff." One neuroendocrine tumor was removed as a "polyp" in a colonoscopy, then found to be a tumor in lab testing, and I was tested for a few months in different ways (e.g., urine and blood tests, various kinds of imaging, endoscopy).

These various other "incidental" findings that came up along the way gave me frights. The good news is really they all turned out to be nothing but something to note in my chart. And the cancer turned out to be all gone with the one tumor removed at the colonoscopy, thank goodness.

I'd really encourage you to go over to the Mayo Clinic Connect Women's Health Support Group, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/womens-health/, and talk to some of those members about the cysts, since they have been through similar experiences.

- Ovarian cysts https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ovarian-cysts/

@lisalucier
Perhaps your note is the bit of encouragement I need. When I had my appointment, I was given a C125 blood test and would be referred to an oncologist for removal of the cysts. I’m still waiting! The obgyn said she’s “fairly optimistic” it isn’t cancer, but I can’t deal with the “fairly” optimism.

@sallyvic
Hello, I’m brand new to this group and learning still how to navigate his page. I had nissen surgery, no mesh, loose wrap for 8.5 cm para esophageal hh June 2024. My recovery had been a very long process. My surgeon did tell me recovery is in stages and to have patience. Recovery can take up to a year to feel normal. I have days I feel great and days I feel like I hit a brick wall. I have also battled with IBS/ SIBO which started 4 months after my surgery. I have been on the low fod map and recently struggling with introducing in new foods. My GI Dr had ordered an abdominal Xray which was normal and I’m going to do another SIBO breathe test. Recovery has been challenging but I feel so much better with no more hernia issues or acid reflux. The microbiome changes dramatically for many people which contributes to many aches and pains. Finding the right support is important as well. Currently I’m looking for good tips for an online dietician etc. I was working with a nutritionist who recently retired. I joined this group with hopes to find good tips and information regarding post op digestive health.

Hi, @mbusch12 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Glad to have you here. Your input from the surgeon that recovery is in stages and to have patience sounds very valuable, along with waiting for a year for recovery to feel normal. Knowing that some days you will feel great and others you will feel like you hit a brick wall are also helpful to know, just to set expectations.

Good to know that overall, you feel so much better with no more hernia issues or acid reflux.

I hope you find here the support and tips you are looking for.

From your experiences so far with introducing new foods, what one or two tips would you suggest to others after a Nissen fundoplication surgery?

@lisalucier
Hello,
I would tell others to make sure they follow the recovery protocol with the diet! The stages of introducing foods is very important without disrupting the surgical area. Also, be sure to walk walk walk after the surgery because of the shoulder neck gas pain. The hospital had me moving right after surgery walking the halls. The surgeon told me to walk every 1/2 hour around my house to help lessen that gas pain from the anesthesia. Don’t panic with the gas pain it does go away!! 😊

My ex had this happen due to a hernia. Before hernia repair surgery he was told the surgeon would assess if a partial fundoplication was appropriate. It wasnt really expected at all, since there were no actual benefits he knew of, for it, Gerd was long resolved and he failed the 3rd test miserably to ascertain if he was suitable. The tech for that test said she would recommend him as being highly unsuitable. However for reasons the surgeon never disclosed he was given a partial. This upset him greatly as he would have discussed it in more depth had he anticipated that procedure.
For about a year he had terrible side effects ( reversal was deemed a difficult less successful procedure), then I read on Mayo blog that often with time the "twist" loosens and food eventually starts to pass more easily into the stomach. I dont understand why people are waking up with " surprises". This to me indicates some level of Malpract unless due some catastrophic unanticipated event, which with imaging shouldnt happen I dont see why anyone would get " surprises". I personally would be devastated to have such a surgery without my full consent. After years trudging thru' healthcare system, i have become aware Drs frequently down play bad side effects of surgeries and have learnt less is more for the body. This has been my own experience. The more Drs try to " correct" things, the worse a condition can become. In my friends case with time things settled and he no longer seens to suffer terrible side effects after eating. Hopefully this will be your experience.
Good luck.

@anniesezu812
I wasn't in any condition to have a discussion about the surgery because I was brought into emergency in excruciating pain. I've been fortunate so far sticking to my diet--a lot of mac and cheese, moist foods, eating slowly (which I had never done) and washing bites down with liquid, especially warm liquids...stay hydrated! After five weeks, my surgeon told me I could start experimenting by introducing other foods. And, yes, walk, walk, walk.