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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@tburnham

I have a Nissen procedure scheduled for early December. I was really excited about it because I thought finally, my horrific GERD will be a thing of the past.
However, all I find online from people is that it literally destroyed their life and health.
Why would anyone get this done with such an awful outcome for so many people?
Anyone here have ANY positive outcome to share?

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I opted for the Linx procedure. Had the surgery in 2014 at Mayo in Phoenix when it was a relativity new procedure. It has it downsides but it has stopped the acid from getting into my esophagus. The good thing about this is its easy to reverse. It was a little tight to begin with but had it enlarged with endoscopy. After surgery I found out I had so serious food intolerances that was the cause of the GERD. Try an elimination diet before surgery, may be all you need.

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@tburnham

Ugh. Thanks for letting me know. It is down as "anticipated lapararoscopic surgery, possible open once in surgery", so I don't think they will actually know which is being done until they are in there. I am probably going to cancel it. It just sucks so much, because if I DON'T do it, I am on PPI's for the rest of my life, which I have been reading can lead to a shorter life span, alzheimer's, etc. And if I DON'T take them, I risk esophogeal cancer.
Can they not come up with any better surgeries than one that destroys so many lives? I don't get it. Why even perform this surgery if it is this risky?

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Have them do a PH test for low acid in your stomach. It causes the same symptoms, acid reflux, heart burn, you name it. Do bad that they did not test me before I had my NF, or I may have never needed it in the first place. Everyone thinks of to much acid, I have never heard of low acid until my mom, my sister and my niece all take medication right before they eat because they have low acid and had acid reflux and sever heart burn. I was so upset when I found this out. Please look it up! I'm having my NF taken down in Jan.

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@tburnham

I have a Nissen procedure scheduled for early December. I was really excited about it because I thought finally, my horrific GERD will be a thing of the past.
However, all I find online from people is that it literally destroyed their life and health.
Why would anyone get this done with such an awful outcome for so many people?
Anyone here have ANY positive outcome to share?

Jump to this post

My husband had the Linx procedure done at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. It worked great and he never had another problem with acid reflux. However, the acid had already aspirated into his lungs and possibly contributed to him developing pulmonary fibrosis. So, acid reflux is nothing to mess around with. I always suggest to people that they look into the Linx procedure. At least it can be reversed if it doesn't work for you.

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@evanssandy34

Have them do a PH test for low acid in your stomach. It causes the same symptoms, acid reflux, heart burn, you name it. Do bad that they did not test me before I had my NF, or I may have never needed it in the first place. Everyone thinks of to much acid, I have never heard of low acid until my mom, my sister and my niece all take medication right before they eat because they have low acid and had acid reflux and sever heart burn. I was so upset when I found this out. Please look it up! I'm having my NF taken down in Jan.

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What does it mean to have the NF taken down? I thought it was irreversible?

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@tburnham

I have a Nissen procedure scheduled for early December. I was really excited about it because I thought finally, my horrific GERD will be a thing of the past.
However, all I find online from people is that it literally destroyed their life and health.
Why would anyone get this done with such an awful outcome for so many people?
Anyone here have ANY positive outcome to share?

Jump to this post

My problem isn't too much acid, I have a hiatal hernia that is 4cm large, so no matter what I eat, everything splashes back up into my throat. Repair is necessary to close it up. It's literally a physical opening that needs to be closed up.

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@colorado5358

What does it mean to have the NF taken down? I thought it was irreversible?

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They remove the wrap that is the cause of most problems, unless the surgeon cuts your vegus nerve. That you will not recover from and life long problems. Most surgeons will not reverse a Nissen Fundoplication and most insurance's will not pay for it. I have to fly from Idaho to Atlanta, where I found a surgeon that speciallizes in this and does 2 to 3 per week. I did not want someone that has done only one or 2. Good luck to you!

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@tburnham

My problem isn't too much acid, I have a hiatal hernia that is 4cm large, so no matter what I eat, everything splashes back up into my throat. Repair is necessary to close it up. It's literally a physical opening that needs to be closed up.

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The Surgeon that I'm seeing to do my NF take down or reversal said that he may have to repair a hiatal hernia as well as take down the Nissen Funduplication 360 wrap, so there has to be a way to repair a hiatal hernia with out NF being done as well. Good Luck to you, I know what it feels like.

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@colorado5358

What does it mean to have the NF taken down? I thought it was irreversible?

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@colorado5358

I just read over my surgery report of my first surgery at Mayo Jacksonville in 2013. The plan for me was for the surgeon to repair the Nissen, but after going in there was so much damage from the mesh and the wrap was twisted that a repair could not be done. So the the mesh was removed .. along with parts of my stomach and intestines… and the Nissen taken down (that is the wording in the report.. “taken down”) (these words also as stated in report) by “unwrapping it from the esophagus” and removing scar tissue. ..
the hernia was anchored to diaphragm.

I could not find really anything on the internet saying how it is done that Joe or Jane Public could read. I found a few that had to be signed into. .. for medical students.

Does a “take down” mean the same as reversal?? umm… hard to say.

ZeeGee

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I need some uplifting and supportive stories.

I am in the process of having my GI doctor transfer my medical information to Mayo Clinic, then I will have Pre-operative testing, then probably Nissan Fundoplication surgery based on the testing I have already had.

I want the surgery at this point, I just need some success stories, especially from people who had it done at Mayo Clinic.

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@programmer

I need some uplifting and supportive stories.

I am in the process of having my GI doctor transfer my medical information to Mayo Clinic, then I will have Pre-operative testing, then probably Nissan Fundoplication surgery based on the testing I have already had.

I want the surgery at this point, I just need some success stories, especially from people who had it done at Mayo Clinic.

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I had the Nissen procedure 9 yrs ago after years of acid reflux and regurgitation. It took quite awhile to settle down and for food to pass "normally" be patient, chew thoroughly. I needed to drink protein drinks for awhile as meats were the worst to "get through" the new opening.

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