I had my original Nissan fundoplication at another hospital and continued to have problems. Then it was redone 5 years ago at Mayo Clinic in Arizona by Dr. Richard Schlinkert. I was and am still very pleased with the results.

@deb1987 Welcome to Mayo Connect, I see that you just joined this online patient support group. Thank you also for your post. I'm sorry to hear of the long term problems that you have. It does sound like a 2nd opinion might be a good idea, perhaps from a large medical center or university medical school. From your location how far are you from the Mayo facility in Arizona? While it might seem like a long trip, it might be worthwhile in the long run. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Teresa

Hi Deb @deb1987, I'm so sorry to hear about this experience. This is not the expected result from a Nissen.

Since you have revisited your doctor many times, and have also seen his partner, at this point, I would seek a second opinion from a surgeon outside of that practice. (The best option would be to see a thoracic surgeon with ample Nissen, Nissen reversal, and Nissen correction experience.) It's strange that he's waffled on fixing the wrap, and I'm not sure how your GI doctor would be able to help you at this point, especially considering the differences in opinion regarding esophageal spasms... I'm sure this just frustrates you even more. (I've experienced this, as well.)

My Nissen was done last October by the chief of thoracic surgery at Mayo - Rochester, and it's been smooth sailing for me, but I hear about stories like your's a lot. If you are able to easily get to AZ, I would definitely go to Mayo for evaluation. It was well-worth my traveling from western NY to MN. (Also, my brother had a Nissen re-done at UVA a few years ago, so I know that these surgeries can be corrected with success.)

As an aside, prior to going to Mayo starting in late September 2015, for 12 years, I became increasingly more ill as my home doctors weren't sure how to treat the slew of symptoms I was experiencing, had misdiagnosed me with a major endocrine condition, and were unable to diagnose several other medical issues. I continued to advocate for myself and with the help of Mayo, I'm now healthier at age 45 than I was from ages 32-44. What you are experiencing right now is not normal, you deserve to return to a better quality of life, and you can achieve this once you find the right people to help you. Keep advocating for yourself; it is worth it.

Hi Kelly ,
Thank you for all the info .I have gone back and forth with my GI doctor she finally agreed to have my surgeon loosen it more or
Reverse it all way .My surgeon isn't to pleased to do it .Told me all the things that can happen but i told him i still want to it done .First have gastroparesis,then told last year or so have espogeal spasms ,now being told it's not wrap giving me all these problems but espogeal mobility isssues .When i told him still want it loosened because i have been in nothing but hell for last 3 1/2 years since i have had it .
I will meet with him next month when i am off of work for two months .Nice part about being a teacher and working for school district .Getbtwo months off yay!!!!,
Talk about it all .I am not giving up on this .Took me 3 1/2 years for my GI doc to listen and finally hear me .Wont give up on surgeon not to do it either .Thankyou and everyone for your suggestions ..
So when they redid yours .Were in you as much pain as you were the first time ?

I haven't had mine reversed but I wish I'd never had it done. Luckily it has loosened up enough that is tolerable now. My gastric pacemaker has been a life safer and I'm so glad I had it implanted.

Hi @deb1987, here's what's concerning... so many differing opinions/explanations for the causes of your issues... and now if they feel that this is an esophageal motility issue, then I would think that they'd want to loosen the wrap (assuming that it's a 360º wrap). (Prior to my surgery, Mayo was concerned about my esophageal motility based on my manometry results (plus knowing that my mom's motility is lackluster), so they specifically scheduled an esophagram the day before my surgery to better-determine my motility. They determined that my motility was good, so that enabled them to decide to do the 360º wrap.)

Regardless, what you are experiencing isn't a quality of life you should settle for. Sometimes, we patients just have to keep on advocating. You know your body best.

How much experience does your surgeon have with fixing / reversing these? I would definitely ask how many corrections and reversals s/he's done. This might affect your choice to have it done elsewhere.

Mine wasn't a redo; my brother's was. I don't think he was in any more pain than the first time, but he did have to have a larger incision. With that said, every person has different circumstances, so that may not be the case with you.

I'm glad you're a teacher and can take the summer to perhaps do this. Having that amount of time to recover will certainly help!

Yeah it is so frustrating .He is the top head of thoriatic surgeon in Denver .I understand his concerns and all but .When do you listen to your patient and not what you were taught .

Thank you Kelly .It is so nice to be able to talk to someone that understands what i have been and am going through .Its so frustrating when for 3 years since this darn thing i keep explaining to every data doctor over and over what's going on .I know that heir are risk but yeah i shouldn't have to look vex like this anymore

That's awesome your gastroparesis pacemaker is helping .Mine never helped .I still constantly couldn't keep my food down .The only thing that helped me is this wrap .But i am in constant pain and discomfort.Always bloated up ,constraint ,heartburn ,pain,so on and so on .Its frustrating .

I have gastroparesis as a result of the Nissen Fundoplication. I have considerable difficulty with gas and bloating as well as nausea. My diet is limited and even when I am careful I still have problems sometimes. Also, being on a very low fiber diet has created constant constipation problems. This disease has changed my life.