Nissen Fundoplication 2 Years Later: Complications?

Posted by refluxrefusenik @refluxrefusenik, May 23, 2023

Hello. I had a Nissen redo two years ago, and about a month ago I started to have some epigastric pain. It started with some epigastric pain sort of behind the base of my sternum, sort of like light stinging pain. I had some unusual throat tightness for a couple weeks followed by some unusually frequent burping. With both this redo and my previous Nissen, I could never really burp much, but that was always expected.
However, over the past month since the incident, I've been having mostly small burps (a few larger ones) close to a hundred times a day without exaggeration. Even if I drink water, I feel an awkward discomfort in my esophagus and have to burp, often multiple times. I don't feel like I'm having discernible reflux, but I do have a consistent discomfort in my esophagus. PPIs haven't seemed to help at all.

Has anyone else had any issues of temporary irritation where this has happened? I'm hoping it's a transient issue that could be linked to something else, but I'm not sure what else it could be. I'm in the process of moving and the company I worked at went under recently, so I'll be unable to see a doctor for at least a few months. In the meantime, I figured it would be worthwhile to see if anyone else who has had a wrap has faced an issue like this. I'd be especially curious to hear if anyone else had an issue like this and— if it went away after a time— what caused it.
The wrap was done by an experienced surgeon who said the durability should last for a long time, and I've been careful to not do anything that would cause too much abdominal pressure.

Anyone else have a similar issue?

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I'm sorry you're having these issues after the Nissen redo. I had my Nissen fundoplication surgery back in 2018. Fortunately, I have not had any problems like yours except for the light stinging sensation on my left side around my sternum. I have noticed I am burping a little as well. Both of the symptoms are recent occurences. I have considered making an appointment with the gastroenterologist that did the surgery to see if all is well. I hope you can get peace of mind, which always comforts me, knowing that all is well and there are no complications!

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@pat23

I'm sorry you're having these issues after the Nissen redo. I had my Nissen fundoplication surgery back in 2018. Fortunately, I have not had any problems like yours except for the light stinging sensation on my left side around my sternum. I have noticed I am burping a little as well. Both of the symptoms are recent occurences. I have considered making an appointment with the gastroenterologist that did the surgery to see if all is well. I hope you can get peace of mind, which always comforts me, knowing that all is well and there are no complications!

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Last night I had a couple reflux episodes where food came up. The second incident was particularly bad, and I couldn't swallow everything I regurgitated. For my particular case, I think it became pretty clear last night that the hernia is back; this is the same progression of issues I had in 2021 when my previous wrap came undone and the hernia re-presented itself.

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Found this on Internet: Burping after Nissen fundoplication is not common. Patients may have small burps results from small amount of air trapped above the wrap. However, “big burps” after Nissen fundoplication may indicate wrap failure. Gastroparesis is not common at all following Nissen fundoplication performed by expert hands.

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Yes, I too have the same issues only my burping has gotten worse over time, and I get really nauseous as well.

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