Reversal of Nissen Fundoplication

I had a Nissan flondiplicaion done a year ago this past june. I have had swallowing problems, thrush, heartburn, diarrhea, bloating, chronic cough,and my stomach still hurts. I cannot burp either. The swallowing is better. I got down to 85 pounds and have only gained 10 pounds in a year. The surgeon that did my surgery was fired so now I am seeing a gastronologist. He keeps putting me off on scoping me. He put me on anxiety meds which he says he is not using them for that purpose, I guess to try to relax my stomach. I never have the feeling of being hungry, and everything I eat goes right through me. I asked him about having this reversed and he said I wouldn't want to go through that. I wish I would never have had it done, the diarrhea and bloating is the worst. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Hi. My surgeon said it can't be reversed, but I'm struggling after 4 months . I've read it can be reversed. Can anyone help please.

@karenjh

You will find much discussion in the Digestive Health Group on this topic.

To find the discussions type: Nissen reversal .. in the search box at the top of this page or any other page on Connect. Here is the link to the Digestive Health Group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/?utm_source=connect.mayoclinic.org&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digest&utm_content=summary_interest . Or you can click Groups at top of this page to find the group. You will see many titles to topics on that page and may want to browse through them .. but more likely to find something by using the search box.

I have had surgery at the Mayo Clinic to “take down” a Nissen fundoplication. .. it was not called a reversal. It was done because the previous repair I had was done incorrectly. Originally the take down surgery was to repair the Nissen wrap but the surgeon found such a mess he had to take it down and remove a bit of the upper portion of my stomach .. which left nothing for the wrap.

I had a giant hiatal hernia that kept pulling my stomach and part of intestines into my chest (my reason for the Nissen in first place) and he did a repair of this during the surgery too. After this take down and repair of the hernia the hernia pulled my stomach into my chest again. I had another surgery at Mayo Clinic by a different surgeon. He did a gastric bypass to repair. … I had complications and had another surgery a few months later.

More to my story, but it is enough for here.

ZeeGee

I had nissen done October 11th 2022. I have had so many problems. I'm post op almost 7 weeks. since surgery I've had barium swallow study. EGD with dilation. Swallow study was normal but when i try to eat solid foods and drink I throw it back up. I have severe pain that radiates into my back. I spoke with the surgeon on 11/23/22 and have decided to do a reversal if I'm not better in a couple weeks. They did find chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer in EGD. Anyone have any advice on what I should do or try before I go through another surgery?

I too had the Nissen procedure performed May 5, 2022. The surgeon did a full 100% wrap of the hiatel hernia and told me I would not have acid reflux anymore and should be able to eat normally in 4 weeks or so. He did remind me that with my advanced age, (83) the healing process would be considerably slower because it takes longer for inflammation to subside. Five days after the 1st procedure, I had so much pain they went back in with plans to cut the stiches to open the wrap to 75% which they couldn't do because of the inflammation obscuring their view and they weren't able to see it, so, they inserted a G-tube out of my stomach which I had in for 131 days. EVERYTHING I had for nourishment and water had to be fed thru the tube. Since the tube removal on the 31st of August, I still am struggling with eating and the overfull feeling and periodically acid reflux during the night. (I have the head of my bed raised 8-9 inches which does help some) Time is slowly helping me to eat and drink a little better every day, but I doubt if I will ever be 100%. That said, I have opted out of having a reversal of the Nissen Fundoplication because I just don't want to go thru all of this again and then not be able to sleep because of increased acid reflux. I guess patience is the key word. Good Luck!

Wow ,
That’s a lot to go through …
So you had two diff surgeons at Mayo Clinic do the diff surgeries? Was that in Jacksonville , FL or MN ? I have so many different diagnosis and chronic symptoms ( been to over 6 Gastro Dr’s) even Testing at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville last Oct . I’m a medical mystery. Everyday is a struggle w/ eating anything and digesting. My gut and intestines churn non stop 🛑. I deep wet Belch over 2000 x a day/ night . I’m at wits end . Next stop a Functional medical ARPN in Jan / and started taking Seed Pre/ Pro biotic ( google it ) a week ago . Someone told me to try it .
I’ve tried everything else .
Sounds like many people have problems with the Nissan surgery . I def don’t want that .

@rozy288
Yes, surgeries were done at Jacksonville Mayo. Dr Smith.. I think Daniel is his first name .. did the first surgery. By time I needed second surgery he had left Mayo (I think he is in the Atlanta Ga area now) and I was assigned Dr Steven Bowers. I was told I would always belch .. it is side effect of the surgeries and swallowing problems I have. Most of the time I don't even notice the burping any more. Sometimes it does increase and my husband notices. Usually because I have eaten something with onions or garlic in it. .. or some spice. .. or just when it starts getting harder to swallow again .. which causes me to swallow more air. I eat soft foods and tender meats that need very little chewing. Sometimes I have to go to an all liquid diet. My meds have to be either liquid, chewable or a patch.

For some people a Nissen works great. I think it depends a lot on the surgeon. I don't think it was the correct thing for repair of my giant hiatal hernia. If you opt for any surgery make sure you know what the permanent side effects are .. they all have them.

Nope no surgery for me unless absolutely needed but can’t do that one , because I works not be able to get the 1000’s of Belches up and out and I’m non stop churning and belches come up hard and big and wet all night . My diet is so limited. Not swallowing too much . My intestines sound like war zone . Wakes me up . I live off Ultra Pepto for yrs. Nothing holistic not RX has worked .
It’s a huge curse on one’s life as you know .
I’m always reading up on what to try next . So Functional medicine is next .

I feel the same way. Im miserable.

I had a Nissan surgery November 2022. After the surgery I had really bad nausea all day everyday also stomach cramps and extremely bad diarrhea. After having several test done I finally got the wrap taken down on March 8 2023. If you have a choice do not have this surgery down.