Post-Nissen Fundoplication Problems: What helps?

Posted by nirolk @nirolk, Apr 29, 2018

<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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@faithful55

I am posting my story to see if anyone else is experiencing the same symptoms that I have been experiencing after having a Nissen fundoplication.
In 1998, I had a hysterectomy. Three weeks after I started to vomit after eating a meal and had terrible migraines. I went to my doctor and he ordered blood work and I was told that I had h-pylori bacteria. I was put on high antibiotics. After taking the antibiotics the migraines stopped but the heaving continued off and on. In 1999, I had my gallbladder removed because I had a functional test that revealed that my gallbladder was not operating correctly and probably was the source of my vomiting. About six months after the gallbladder surgery, the vomiting returned. I went back to my doctor and he referred me to a surgeon who told me that I had classic GERD. In 2000, I had a Nissen fundoplication. Since then, I still would experience nausea but could not heave because of the wrap. During those times of nausea, I would have to ice myself down to reduce the dry heaves until my brain would tell my system to try the other way. I also was having an acidic stomach. To minimize the acid in my stomach, I was but on Zantac.
As the years progressed I have had episodes of extreme bloating and constipation, nausea, mind fogginess, acid reflux, extreme hot flashes, and rashes. Over almost 2 decades, I have seen numerous gastroenterologists and alternative medicine doctors. I have been put on acid reducers and medications to help with the constipation. One gastroenterologist even diagnosed me with gastroparesis. In 2017, I had a 4 hour stomach emptying test that revealed that I did not have gastroparesis. But from 2013 to 2017, I changed my diet to adjust my eating based on the diagnosis.
In 2016, I started getting colonics because I was experiencing constipation, fogginess, extreme hot flashes, fatigue, and weight gain. I stopped getting the colonics after a year. It was too much of a strain on my system.
In 2017, I had an endoscopic dilation. I had been experiencing constant bloating and extreme hot flashes. To me, my hot flashes were coming from the laboring of my digestive system to digest the food and also when I would get stressed. After the dilation, I had to cut out a lot of foods that were high fiber and gaseous. I used to be able to drink tea, but tea gases my system. I cannot eat chips or anything that has a high salt content because at times it upsets my stomach and makes my face feel like it is crawling and I would break out. I eat small meals these days because it takes too long for my system to digest a meal. I have to take MiraLax and Citrucel every night to keep my system running. I try to monitor my weight to make sure that I am not putting on weight because for me it signals that the food is not passing and is sitting in my colon.
As I am getting older, the Nissen is causing more problems for me. I saw my most recent Gastro doctor last week and told him that I wanted to get the wrap undone. I would appreciate it if anyone has had a similar experience as I have and share with me what they have done or are doing to remedy their situation.

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Hi so sorry you too are having problems. I have had 5 failures. I just had total gastrectomy should of been partial. I hope you do your homework search of lots of dr and get advise. I’m trying to find new surgeon and gi because one gi said you have no options. I can’t breath have two hernias terrible left pain. Why do they make us suffer for so long til they say revision. Look at revives on your dr. My story is on www. Healing well.com Nissen fundoplication nightmare. Sunshine is my name 2000 2013 2014 2015 2016.

Wishing you a very happy 2021 hope are successful and feeling better.

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@btowngal

Hello Everyone,

I had a Nissen fundoplication done 7 years ago. It worked really well. If anything, I had to be sure to take smaller bites and drink liquids with every meal to make sure everything made it down to my stomach, so nothing was coming back up! In the last 6 months I started having pain behind my left ribcage and two instances of horrific waves of pain below my sternum that would go all the way around my back. An endoscopy shows slight inflammation of the stomach lining, but biopsy showed no infection. They did an abdominal CT with oral and IV contrast last Wednesday. I was able to read the radiology report on Friday.

"New small 4.2 cm hiatal hernia since previous upper GI on 11/10/2016. The appearance is compatible with herniation of the area of fundoplication."
"Impression: New small hiatal hernia since 11/10/2016 . The herniated portion of the stomach appears to represent the area of fundoplication (slipped Nissen)."

I am still waiting to hear from my gastroenterologist, but I am worried that I will have no choice but a revision surgery because I have read it can be dangerous to leave it. Has anyone else had any experience with a slipped Nissen?

Thanks!

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Hi so sorry to hear it slipped. Yes I did good luck finding someone to fix it or listen to you. The most painful thing to happen. Make sure they test or check for hiatal hernia. So you don’t have anymore problems. I have thirty plus years of dr say it’s all in my head. Do your homework find a gi and surgeon to help. Sadly no test that I know of wish someone would figure it out. Well wishes speedy recovery

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@thielman100

Hi so sorry you too are having problems. I have had 5 failures. I just had total gastrectomy should of been partial. I hope you do your homework search of lots of dr and get advise. I’m trying to find new surgeon and gi because one gi said you have no options. I can’t breath have two hernias terrible left pain. Why do they make us suffer for so long til they say revision. Look at revives on your dr. My story is on www. Healing well.com Nissen fundoplication nightmare. Sunshine is my name 2000 2013 2014 2015 2016.

Wishing you a very happy 2021 hope are successful and feeling better.

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@thielman100 I had a Nissen nearly 6 years ago ...done by a surgeon in Central Iowa.. It was a total failure in that Mayo, MN diagnosed it as post operative gastroparesis ... I had lost 50 pounds within 2 months of the surgery and the local Docs and GIs were NO help.. Mayo found the trouble in a morning.. and they gave me a way to cope.. there is no way to repair or undo those hairnet like nerves that empty the stomach... That Healing Well.com website is difficult to find things as it is spread out so much using different links for different dates.. Good luck... I have gained back 30 pounds ...but every meal is a challenge.. forever.. Ken

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@ken82

@thielman100 I had a Nissen nearly 6 years ago ...done by a surgeon in Central Iowa.. It was a total failure in that Mayo, MN diagnosed it as post operative gastroparesis ... I had lost 50 pounds within 2 months of the surgery and the local Docs and GIs were NO help.. Mayo found the trouble in a morning.. and they gave me a way to cope.. there is no way to repair or undo those hairnet like nerves that empty the stomach... That Healing Well.com website is difficult to find things as it is spread out so much using different links for different dates.. Good luck... I have gained back 30 pounds ...but every meal is a challenge.. forever.. Ken

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Hi
What did they do? Yes my gi dr haven’t a clue. Now they say failure of my gastrectomy new revision. I understand small meals don’t understand the god mentality of gi dr. They last one missed my huge bowel obstruction only offered ginger and peppermint oil. Next week I see maybe someone who can help. Would like to here more. Hope you find relief

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<p>fundoplication gas bloat</p><p>I had a fundoplication years ago the only problem and it’s a big problem gas bloat but only at night meaning I get very little sleep before the operation I could burp it out now after fundoplication I can’t burp to save my life<br />It’s dependent on what I eat so I have a very limited diet no greasy stuff<br />Wondering if anybody else has had nighttime problems with gas after fundoplication seems pretty rare</p>

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@johnrobert999

<p>fundoplication gas bloat</p><p>I had a fundoplication years ago the only problem and it’s a big problem gas bloat but only at night meaning I get very little sleep before the operation I could burp it out now after fundoplication I can’t burp to save my life<br />It’s dependent on what I eat so I have a very limited diet no greasy stuff<br />Wondering if anybody else has had nighttime problems with gas after fundoplication seems pretty rare</p>

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@johnrobert999 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

Of course you want to have peaceful evenings.

You'll notice that I moved your question to a related existing discussion. I did this so you could connect with these members but also so you could read through the comments and find information and suggestions.

May I ask how long this has been going on?

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@johnrobert999 I had a failed Nissen fundoplication 6 years ago.. .I don't burp either.. if I eat too fast, a foam forms in my stomach and that comes up... sticky mess.. I do get a lot of bowel gas though,,, and often take Gas-X pills to reduce that .. when I have stomach bloating I eat 3 papaya enzyme pills.. chew them like Tums.. and that settles and relieves the situation in 10 minutes ... I carry them in my car as well so I can use the Papaya pills even when eating out... back in those days before the pandemic... good luck.. Ken

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@btowngal

Hello Everyone,

I had a Nissen fundoplication done 7 years ago. It worked really well. If anything, I had to be sure to take smaller bites and drink liquids with every meal to make sure everything made it down to my stomach, so nothing was coming back up! In the last 6 months I started having pain behind my left ribcage and two instances of horrific waves of pain below my sternum that would go all the way around my back. An endoscopy shows slight inflammation of the stomach lining, but biopsy showed no infection. They did an abdominal CT with oral and IV contrast last Wednesday. I was able to read the radiology report on Friday.

"New small 4.2 cm hiatal hernia since previous upper GI on 11/10/2016. The appearance is compatible with herniation of the area of fundoplication."
"Impression: New small hiatal hernia since 11/10/2016 . The herniated portion of the stomach appears to represent the area of fundoplication (slipped Nissen)."

I am still waiting to hear from my gastroenterologist, but I am worried that I will have no choice but a revision surgery because I have read it can be dangerous to leave it. Has anyone else had any experience with a slipped Nissen?

Thanks!

Jump to this post

@btowngal about 6 years ago I had a failed Nissen in Central Iowa.. I went to Mayo MN GI dept .. where they diagnosed post operative gastroparesis.. The Doctor said that my Nissen could not be taken down or corrected... they just gave me a way to cope..

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I had one 7 months ago and I'm not having acid reflux but stomach bloating with severe pain at times and past two nights woke up with severe dry heaving which last 3 hours first night and 15 minutes last night. Y?

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@dee1963

I had one 7 months ago and I'm not having acid reflux but stomach bloating with severe pain at times and past two nights woke up with severe dry heaving which last 3 hours first night and 15 minutes last night. Y?

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Hello @dee1963 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. What your experiencing must be frustrating. Members like @ken82 @thielman100 @jacquelinefoss have all posted in this discussion and may be able to relate to your experience as well.

Have you reached out to your doctor to see if there is any reason for concern?

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