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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

cblue | @cblue | Dec 17, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome, @cblue. You're asking great questions as you do your research into possibly having a laparoscopic..." + (show)

Thank you , will check it out!

cblue | @cblue | Dec 17, 2022

In reply to @pdilly "Again, glad you asked! It’s kind of a long story. My first Nissen was done about..." + (show)

@pdilly

Again, glad you asked! It’s kind of a long story.

My first Nissen was done about 5 years ago. I had been hospitalized and had lots of tests to determine why I suddenly was running a high fever for several days. (Turned out to be something non-Gastro.) But 1 of the tests showed that about 1/3 of my stomach was up in my esophagus — a huge hiatel hernia! So I had the Nissen to repair it. It greatly reduced my reflux.

Then about a year ago I started having these bouts of sudden severe stomach cramps 2 or 3 times a month. I would rush to the bathroom where I would have an explosive BM while retching violently trying to throw up at the same time!!! It was horrible!

Then this last July I had my 4th radio frequency ablation for low grade dysplasia on my Barrett’s esophagus. Afterward the surgeon told me my Nissen had come completely undone and that I would need to have another Nissen Fundiplication before he could do the next ablation.

When I had the appointment with my Nissen surgeon he was surprised that the first one had come undone. I told him it probably had something to do with the violent retching. (Seriously. It felt like my stomach was flipping over.) He asked me all about when that started and to describe the symptoms. And then he asked if I still had my gallbladder and I said yes. So he asked if I’d be willing to do some tests for my gallbladder. Said if there were any problems, he could remove the gallbladder laparoscopically when he did the Nissen.

Ultrasound was done first. No stones. Then a gallbladder function test was done. The results from that showed it was functioning at 92%. Greater than 35% is considered normal — until you get above 80%. At 92% he said my gallbladder was considered hyperactive and he recommended removal. I got a second opinion from a doc who agreed — in fact, he told me he had never seen a gallbladder functioning as high as 92% before!

So in late september I had the Nissen and gallbladder removal at the same time. Again my reflux has been almost eliminated — and without the gallbladder I haven’t had any sudden severe cramps with the explosive stuff and retching and vomiting all at the same time. I’m very pleased with a successful surgery outcome.

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I’m not sure if this is ok to ask, but if so what city or hospitals did you have it done? General surgeon, thoracic surgeon? Or gastro surgeon?

cblue | @cblue | Dec 17, 2022

In reply to @fighter "Have you thought about the Linx procedure?" + (show)

@ fighter I have read about the Lynx procedure and something called tiff.. But I can’t find much information about it and it does not seem that the major teaching hospitals in New York offering these procedures. Mount Sinai listed it and my G.I. doctor is at mount Sinai I don’t know probably candidate. If you know anything about it could you please send me the information somehow or post it here? I don’t know how that works I’m new to this discussion.

azcyclist2018 | @azcyclist2018 | Dec 17, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome, @cblue. You're asking great questions as you do your research into possibly having a laparoscopic..." + (show)

Hi! I am azcyclist2018. I have been with this site for several years and never had difficulty reading and responding to posts. Suddenly I am told to read/view posts I need to sign in… except that the site will not let me. I am happy to share my experiences (good and not so good) but the difficulty in getting into the site is beyond my expertise. Perhaps you can correct this on your end. Simply telling me to go in and “reset” my password does not work. Thank you
Bill

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 17, 2022, at 2:25 PM, Mayo Clinic Connect wrote:

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 17, 2022

In reply to @azcyclist2018 "Hi! I am azcyclist2018. I have been with this site for several years and never had..." + (show)

@azcyclist2018, it looks like you must be signed in since you were able to post this comment. If you continue to have problems signing in, please send me a message, using this form: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

I can help get this sorted out.
Colleen

ccben70 | @ccben70 | Dec 19, 2022

In reply to @cblue "Facing possible laparoscopic fundoplication, many questions I have never had reflux that I was aware of..." + (show)

@cblue

Facing possible laparoscopic fundoplication, many questions
I have never had reflux that I was aware of (was healthy 69 year old, I road biked 40 miles, swam, ran, serious weight training… but last March, out of nowhere I began to have symptoms that look Sjogren’s to my internist. I couldn't eat, lost weight and drank too much water. I ended up in hospital due to a sodium crisis and lung Nodules & opacities in lung, bronchoscopy conducted after opacities etc remained. Next CT, the lright lung resolved , but left lung worse. So doctors looked to aspiration. Apparently, I "failed" the swallow test; ph impedance on 20 mg Prilosec, no significant acid reflux so GI doc felt differential was achalasia, barium swallow pill went thru.
No real treatment options, so applied to a specialized program for esophogeal disorders in NYC, to see if there was some treatment. Also, If was achalasia they seemed to use the POEM procedure (less invasive compared to heller myotomy).
After meeting me, they suggested doing and Endo flip and bravo. Apparently, in addition to (limited or no peristalsis) the specialist said the ph results showed my esophageal sphincter was not functioning. So reflux was causing lung issues aspiration... Suggested trying medical interventions (wedge, higher dose Prilosec, eat 4-5 hours before dinner. ) So far, no difference and symptoms have been much, much worse since endoflip.
Now I have severe nighttime reflux despite interventions. Suggestion is for fundoplication, but the specialist was concerned that it’s risky as I am 70. Since I’m not improving, he’s suggesting.
So, I have lots of questions for older adults who had the surgery.
I need to clarify with the doctor what the “risk” is,. But assuming I go forward, he says it’s a 4 week recovery. They say limited pain from surgery. Liquid to blended diet at first, then can eat relatively normally. Now given I have limited peristalsis, I imagine that I won’t be able to eat what I want. Sorry for the long background… but
I assume one risk is that it doesn’t work, or there’s some nerve damage or infection. But I see there’s a long support group for problems post fundoplication.
Has anyone had a “good” experience to share, or things to be wary of? Ideally I’d want a surgeon who does a lot of these procedures.
If done laproscopically, is 2-4 weeks realistic for recuperation to some level of being able to function?
Liquid diet sounds tough, though I am not able to eat much real food anyway. But it seems the move to solids might take longer than described for many people.
I see new methods that don’t involve surgery, suspect I’m not a candidate, but I see there are a few non surgical procedures. transluminal fundoplication, and TiFF? (sorry can't locate mynotes on those now). Anyone know about those procedures and the success rate??

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I had my 270degree Nissen laparoscopic surgery in 2014, and it has worked very well for me. One day in hospital, limited initial discomfort and recovery to solid foods over 10-14 days. It really resolved my GERD and potential Barrett's esophageal potential. For first couple years, had to not drink carbonated beverages and not overeat. If overate, would know it about 30 minutes later and be in extreme discomfort (like stomach cramps). Would resolve by laying down for an hour. Also, takes me longer to eat/swallow than others at table.
8 years later now, still doing well. Don't have overeating occurrences as often---if do, is more minor and treat like GERD with a couple tums. Also over the years have found that better to eat/snack every few hours than to overeat at B-L-D. Can even have a soda occasionally, though try to stir soda to reduce carbonation. Good luck if you proceed with it. I would certainly do over again.

azcyclist2018 | @azcyclist2018 | Dec 19, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "@azcyclist2018, it looks like you must be signed in since you were able to post this..." + (show)

Colleen
I was not signed in when replying earlier- I hit the reply command to Mayo Clinic and it looks like the message got to you. If there are comments from my earlier posts/experiences, and I continue to be willing to share, some other mechanism will be appreciated to get me back online with you all- thanks!

cblue | @cblue | Dec 19, 2022

In reply to @ccben70 "I had my 270degree Nissen laparoscopic surgery in 2014, and it has worked very well for..." + (show)

Thank you. This this blog is about success stories, but there are very few. It may be in the rules, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask you if you're under 65 because I'm older and the doctor felt it was a risk. Also, I'm wondering where you had it done teaching hospital somewhere where you live locally mayo clinic? What I'm saying is there is a failure rate of some sort. And that makes me quite uneasy . It's just bad luck. I might have another condition or something; but it seems the skill of the person doing it is quite important. I don't know how to write you privately or if I'm allowed to. See this and can answer my questions if they were allowed your approximate age when it was gone and if you had any complicating conditions. Most importantly, where you had it done. It's not the name of the place other than Mayo, type of facilities experience, shelter, surgeon. Thanks so much. It's good to hear one. Good story.

ccben70 | @ccben70 | Dec 20, 2022

In reply to @cblue "Thank you. This this blog is about success stories, but there are very few. It may..." + (show)

I was 70 yrs old when had procedure done in 2014. Was done in smaller town in northwest SC by a local bariatric specialist surgeon with a good reputation. He had a lot of experience in banding surgeries. After several OV's, I felt very comfortable with him doing it and have had no regrets since then. Don't believe he's associated with any teaching hospitals but had very specific extra training in this procedure field. If you are conveniently located to that northwest SC, let me know and I can give you his name/location.

cblue | @cblue | Dec 20, 2022

Thanks unfortunately no where near there. I recognize in a support group, Most people will post with problems. My G.I. doctor says that at least at his hospital they’re able to mention most of these cases Medically so that are not surgeon to do it several times a week. But as you say related surgery experience Is important I have a choice between (I think) 2 surgeons he recommended His (well-known teaching hospital), Chief of thoracic surgery at another. Doc wants me doing one more test (Gastric emptying), Just to rule it out because fundoplication would make everything worse if I had that problem. My other choice is mayo. I think I don’t know how they select patients s and I don’t know what the follow up is Once I get home if anybody knows that, please post. Thanks for all the feedback folks!