Post-Nissen Fundoplication Problems: What helps?
<p>I had a nissen wrap operation in 1999. I still have problems at night after about 4 hours of sleep. I've tried all kinds of drugs to help relieve the gas. Right now I am on 40 mg of pantoprazole in the morning before breakfast. Most of the time days are fine. I have problems being regular on bowl movements, so I have a high amt of gas from the meds I take to go number 2. At night is when I have real problems. Any kindred spirits out there?</p>
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Hi gabigirl26,
I had my Nissen undone last week. Even though I had a difficult time with the anesthesia, I have no doubt that I made the right decision. I am recovering now and waiting for the swelling and gas to move out of my system. I have been suffering with bloating, constipation, light headedness and nausea for 19 years and truly do not believe that the doctor had the right diagnosis and treated the symptoms but did not have the root cause. This now gives me an opportunity if the initial symptoms return to seek a physician that will try to discover the cause. It can only get better going forth. I'm thankful for everyone sharing their experiences and pray that they will also find the root cause as well as you. Blessings to you.
Hi there,
I had two laparoscopic nissen fundoplications in 2015 due to chronic GERD.
I am experiencing all of the same symptoms as you described.
Been dilated quarterly due to chronic dysphasia and extreme gas bloat.
Have you spoke with a thoracic surgeon to see if the wrap can be undone?
This is something I am considering.
I had Nissen Fundoplication in March 2018. I am very pleased with the procedure, compared to the symptoms I was having prior. I do sometimes have digestive problems but are only about once every 6 weeks or so and nothing as drastic as the comments above. One thing I have learned is that eating too much sugar or carbs in one meal can trigger a very unpleasant reaction. Another thing I have noticed is that I do have more gas than I remember having prior to the procedure.
I had a Nissen in 2015 in Iowa...had all sorts of GI problems, Lost 50 pounds from 195, 5'10" male... Iowa could not figure out what was wrong...went to Mayo Minnesota..they diagnosed it in 3 tests over a few hours. Gastropaneisis...doc said my Nissen could not be undone as the problems would get worse.. He noted that 1 in 6 Nissens FAIL.. so living with it is the key..Gas, bloating, yes... vomiting. Occasionally... feeling as if food is caught somewhere and must be thrown up, sleeping tilted up so gravity does the stomach emptying...My friends say I am always grazing..eating small portions, no soft breads, no leafy greens unless chopped fine or blended.. no big pieces of anything except ice cream . I'm 82. It is a life changing event.. and few understand what you are going through ..I take the Nexium genaric, and Mirazapine.. to help me think I want to eat... feeling the best when the stomach is empty, like when you awaken, is not sustainable...Ken
I’m like @nms22 — very pleased with my Nissen fundiplication. And I know several other people who have also had great results following their Nissen procedure. One of my friends no longer has to take medication! I on the other hand will be taking prevacid forever because I have Barrett’s esophagus. Oh well.
I’m so so sorry for all of you who have had so much trouble following Nissen fundiplication.
I had Nissen Fundoplication & Hiatal Hernia surgery 6 months ago . I've had nothing but problems ! Been in and out of hospital, seen surgeon 2 times and said it takes up to a year for everything to settle down , ugh . Ridiculous, ,, I have another appt coming up in week . My primary doc thinks I have dumping syndrome, I have allot stomach pain all the time , bloating, nausea, diarrhea, hot sweats, cramping and feels like I want to vomit all the time pretty much. When i do eat it basically runs straight thru me within 10 minutes ? Since the surgery 6 months ago I've lost 40 pounds. My primary doc has me back on liquid diet again ????? I wished I hadn't had it done, I suffered with acid reflux and allot stomach issues and the surgery was supposed to fix allot of it ? My Doc thinks I'm going to need gastric bypass ! Really don't want it . Guess I'll wait and see what Surgeon has to say ?
ken82 , I'm 55 year old male and had surgery 6 months ago and having allot same problems as you . My doctor says I have dumping syndrome ? Going back surgeon in a week , ugh. it is a life changing event ? Don't think I'll ever be normal again ? I definitely understand what your going thru ! Good luck to you .
Hi Faithann64,
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this nightmare. You have basically the same symptoms I had with the exception of constipation. Even though I had my wrap undone this year, I still suffer with constipation. My surgeon has put me on linzess, but it is not working too well. I'm fighting with my insurance company to get the highest dosage to see if it will give me some relief. I have hope that some day there will be a resolution for me, but until then, I'll continue to pray. I'll pray for you too.
@faithann64 Try a probiotic. I had dumping syndrome after a Nissen... I had gallbladder out at same time. It was awful. I tried several different probiotics and none worked until I tried Align that my husband's cousin recommended. Yogurt such as Activia can help. There are a few other probiotic foods.. just search for them. Stay away from greasy foods, cut down on sweets. Keep a journal of your symptoms.. what triggers or makes them worse.
I eventually had to have a gastric bypass. It has side effects too. Read up on it as much as you can before deciding to have one and write down questions to ask your doctors. Dr Bowers at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Fl did mine... he is pretty awesome i my book. I had a giant hiatal hernia that caused my problems.
Yes my next step is probiotics , and yes Doc is talking about gastric bypass ? I will read up on it . Thank you