Fundoplication problems?

Posted by lindamks @lindamks, May 23 10:26am

Has anybody else had problems resulting from fundoplication surgery? Namely, twisted esophagus and gastroparesis? How do you deal w/ it?

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@kim1003 and others.. back in 2015 my local GI said a Nissen was what I needed to fix my Severe GERD problems . So I believed him.. bad decision as after the Nissen I was in the local hospital 9 days, had several tests after, was losing weight 50# in 2 months.. I went to Mayo MN.. they said "postoperative gastropanesis " after 3 tests that first day.. they gave me a way to cope.. small meals often..no lying down for 2 hours after eating.. tilt bed, etc.. they say 1 in 6 Nissen surgeries fail.. nerves in the hairnet arrangement around the stomach are damaged.. never to regenerate.. we often hope for the miracle cure.. but slow eating... not stuffing yourself..are things you should have learned as a child... try them before surgery.. if going out to eat..take half home for later. FOR 9 Years now every meal is a challenge.. I fight to gain weight.. ken

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@lindamks

I had surgery for a hiatal hernia. The surgeon wrapped the top of my stomach around the esophagus, thus the twisted esophagus. About 2 weeks later, my stomach stopped working (gastroparesis) and I had to go on a liquid diet till it revived. Lost a good bit of weight!

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When I had my Stage 4 esophageal cancer surgery (esophagectomywithgastricpullthrough), the surgeon sewed the relocated stomach into the remains of the esophagus. The stomach sits high up under my bra now which is very uncomfortable especially after eating even small amounts. The cancer had destroyed the middle third of the esophagus. Can't imagine having the top of your stomach wrapped around the esophagus!

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@jord

My doctor said don't do the surgery and wait as long as you can. Surgery causes severe bloating and you might need another surgery in a year or two.

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Waited till I was 79 and my stomach was lying on my lungs and heart and causing trouble w/ both. I think I put it off too long.
Diarrhea is my main problem. Going to try cutting out coffee, as suggested by another sufferer.

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@bea4me

When I had my Stage 4 esophageal cancer surgery (esophagectomywithgastricpullthrough), the surgeon sewed the relocated stomach into the remains of the esophagus. The stomach sits high up under my bra now which is very uncomfortable especially after eating even small amounts. The cancer had destroyed the middle third of the esophagus. Can't imagine having the top of your stomach wrapped around the esophagus!

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My goodness, I can't even fathom how awful this is for you. It sounds barbaric. I have GI issues ongoing and undiagnosed for years... but I will never complain about it, after your post. Good vibes sent your way!

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@ken82

@kim1003 and others.. back in 2015 my local GI said a Nissen was what I needed to fix my Severe GERD problems . So I believed him.. bad decision as after the Nissen I was in the local hospital 9 days, had several tests after, was losing weight 50# in 2 months.. I went to Mayo MN.. they said "postoperative gastropanesis " after 3 tests that first day.. they gave me a way to cope.. small meals often..no lying down for 2 hours after eating.. tilt bed, etc.. they say 1 in 6 Nissen surgeries fail.. nerves in the hairnet arrangement around the stomach are damaged.. never to regenerate.. we often hope for the miracle cure.. but slow eating... not stuffing yourself..are things you should have learned as a child... try them before surgery.. if going out to eat..take half home for later. FOR 9 Years now every meal is a challenge.. I fight to gain weight.. ken

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This thread on esophagus and stomach surgery is so awful I can't believe a surgery that causes a living hell, life sentence, even exists. In a time where artificial hearts, limbs, ect are done with such success... the "brilliant minds of our time " still perform this barbaric surgery. On the lighter side (there isn't one), losing weight and a lower grocery bill would be great. Many good thoughts being sent out to you.

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@lindamks

Waited till I was 79 and my stomach was lying on my lungs and heart and causing trouble w/ both. I think I put it off too long.
Diarrhea is my main problem. Going to try cutting out coffee, as suggested by another sufferer.

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Awfully Awful. I have GI major issues with no resolution for 17 years....mine is CIC 💩💩that won't get out of my entire intestinal tract. I have to cause diarrhea on purpose or risk a myriad of side effects. But all of you with this barbaric surgery and a whole new set of problems, I don't think I could live through that. Good wishes being sent to you.

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@lindamks

I had surgery for a hiatal hernia. The surgeon wrapped the top of my stomach around the esophagus, thus the twisted esophagus. About 2 weeks later, my stomach stopped working (gastroparesis) and I had to go on a liquid diet till it revived. Lost a good bit of weight!

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When I first replied to your post, I really really didn't understand the scope of what you are going through. I think this fundoplication surgery needs to be renamed... possibly replace the "n & d with a C & K". My GI tract, the whole thing is screwy in me, but I do not have the strength to deal with what this causes. You are a very strong person. Good thoughts coming your way.

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@dragonfly123

the nissen fundo is mixed, it works well for most, but put your bed on a slant, cut out caffiene, that's the hardest part, PPI's in moderation, I've had that backfire, wipe out my good GI bio-bugs, had to get freeze dried breast milk to reset that part of my GI...again that damn caffiene, I bought an extra three years, cutting out caffiene...but maybe the cure is worse than the disease?

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I had Nissen Fundo about four years ago. It was not a fun operation but I did have relief for about two years. Then symptoms came back with a vengeance, worse than before the operation. So back to treating the symptoms.

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@ken82

@kim1003 and others.. back in 2015 my local GI said a Nissen was what I needed to fix my Severe GERD problems . So I believed him.. bad decision as after the Nissen I was in the local hospital 9 days, had several tests after, was losing weight 50# in 2 months.. I went to Mayo MN.. they said "postoperative gastropanesis " after 3 tests that first day.. they gave me a way to cope.. small meals often..no lying down for 2 hours after eating.. tilt bed, etc.. they say 1 in 6 Nissen surgeries fail.. nerves in the hairnet arrangement around the stomach are damaged.. never to regenerate.. we often hope for the miracle cure.. but slow eating... not stuffing yourself..are things you should have learned as a child... try them before surgery.. if going out to eat..take half home for later. FOR 9 Years now every meal is a challenge.. I fight to gain weight.. ken

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Sorry for the challenges you’ve been having. Thank you for all of the advice. I truly appreciate it.

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@dragonfly123

I'm not sure, all I know is that I put some electrolytes powder in a glass of water, drank half of it, woke up the next morning, wasn't sure what was sitting there, drank it, and all of a sudden, gurgle, giggle, motion, and within a short amount of time, sat on the can, two little turds and I cried and I laughed, then drank another cup of that stuff, then farting in the bathtub like a little boy..and giggling...also, vitamin B-thiamine and vitamin D3, but D in moderation, the body, the system needs all of these for the GI to work properly...good luck to you, best is also hiking a lot, walking, or swimming, get moving..that was my hard part, but it sure seemed to help, and perhaps yoga, not only child's pose, but also like bow or cobra, stretch that tummy both ways...LOL ;o)

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I also have constipation. I will try this electrolyte stuff. Searching for ways to get my digestion moving again. My surgery was almost a year ago and started having problems after. I was found to have pancreatic atrophy and just had a ton of sludge and stones removed from my gallbladder. This stuff is not fun. I'm glad to read comments from real people. I've also been moving and trying to stimulate my digestion any way I can. I read deep breathing and even putting an ice pack on my stomach could help as it makes the muscles constrict. Thanks.

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