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Post-Nissen fundoplication bowel and other problems: What helps?

Posted by nirolk @nirolk, Apr 29, 2018

I had a nissen wrap operation in 1999. I still have problems at night after about 4 hours of sleep. I've tried all kinds of drugs to help relieve the gas. Right now I am on 40 mg of pantoprazole in the morning before breakfast. Most of the time days are fine. I have problems being regular on bowl movements, so I have a high amt of gas from the meds I take to go number 2. At night is when I have real problems. Any kindred spirits out there?

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luvnursing52 | @luvnursing52 | Dec 29, 2025
In reply to @luvnursing52 "@mrjonathan1 I would make sure whoever does the surgery has a lot of experience. I've had..." + (show)
Profile picture for luvnursing52 @luvnursing52

@mrjonathan1 I would make sure whoever does the surgery has a lot of experience. I've had to have the surgery twice, once in 2011 & again in 2017. Turned out the first surgeon wrapped the esophagus too high and too tight. I really suffered for 6 years before they decided to undo it and re-wrap it. So I've had the Nissen and Toupet wrap.
In retrospect, I wish I never had the surgery. I suffer from terrible bloating and the reflux is returning. The wrap loosens over time. It doesn't matter what I eat, I have to lay down on my left side after eating. I would not recommend this to anyone, it's major surgery. I've had nerve damage done as well so I have constipation & swallowing issues.
My SIL had the Linxx procedure done back in August & had been very happy with the results, despite a grueling recovery. He had reflux since he was a child. That may be something worth looking into, if you meet the criteria to qualify for it.

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@luvnursing52 I should also mention I had a Gb removal done with the Nissen procedure, even though I was having no issues with stones. Surgeon suggested removal since he thought the stones were aggravating my reflux. Would NOT recommend 2 surgeries at the same time, turned out to be a huge mistake. I feel the GB removal really exacerbated the gas & bloating problem. I take digestive enzymes with dairy & fatty meals, which help a bit.

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chirpybirdy | @chirpybirdy | Mar 19 4:15pm

Does anyone have a good outcome with Nissan Fundlociation? I was thinking of having it for my persistent GERD/LPR. My surgeon said the best option is full wrap to relieve my GERD. Now I am afraid of going through with the surgery. It seems most are worse off after the surgery than they were with persistent GERD. I am miserable with my GERD. I can't lay down at night at all. I also have a sore throat and voicebox and teeth hurt too. My surgeon said the PPI's are neutralizing my stomach acid but the contents still come up because the PPI's do not get rid of the acid, just neutralizes it so it doesn't burn my esophagus. I have a grade 1 sliding hernia also that he said if probably contributing to my bad GERD. The LES is above the diaphragm and since it is in a negative pressure space the sphincter doesn't close at all. Is there anyone who has a good outcome? Do you never get to eat normally again after the surgery? Worried.

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | Mar 19 7:30pm

Worked great for me for the last 25-30 years. The surgeon who did mine advised to make sure that your surgeon is experienced as some make it so tight that you can't belch or hurl/vomit. I can pretty much eat any of the foods that they advise to avoid. My one issue was that before the procedure I was given the antibiotic Ceftin to kill off any cold symptoms. It also killed off a lot of intestinal flora that made it hard to keep anything in. A coworker/friend recommended PLAIN yogurt which had me back to normal in jig time.

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ppenoyar | @ppenoyar | Mar 20 9:51am
In reply to @bajjerfan "Worked great for me for the last 25-30 years. The surgeon who did mine advised to..." + (show)
Profile picture for bajjerfan @bajjerfan

Worked great for me for the last 25-30 years. The surgeon who did mine advised to make sure that your surgeon is experienced as some make it so tight that you can't belch or hurl/vomit. I can pretty much eat any of the foods that they advise to avoid. My one issue was that before the procedure I was given the antibiotic Ceftin to kill off any cold symptoms. It also killed off a lot of intestinal flora that made it hard to keep anything in. A coworker/friend recommended PLAIN yogurt which had me back to normal in jig time.

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@bajjerfan
Thanks for sharing your experience.

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ppenoyar | @ppenoyar | Mar 20 10:01am
In reply to @chirpybirdy "Does anyone have a good outcome with Nissan Fundlociation? I was thinking of having it for..." + (show)
Profile picture for chirpybirdy @chirpybirdy

Does anyone have a good outcome with Nissan Fundlociation? I was thinking of having it for my persistent GERD/LPR. My surgeon said the best option is full wrap to relieve my GERD. Now I am afraid of going through with the surgery. It seems most are worse off after the surgery than they were with persistent GERD. I am miserable with my GERD. I can't lay down at night at all. I also have a sore throat and voicebox and teeth hurt too. My surgeon said the PPI's are neutralizing my stomach acid but the contents still come up because the PPI's do not get rid of the acid, just neutralizes it so it doesn't burn my esophagus. I have a grade 1 sliding hernia also that he said if probably contributing to my bad GERD. The LES is above the diaphragm and since it is in a negative pressure space the sphincter doesn't close at all. Is there anyone who has a good outcome? Do you never get to eat normally again after the surgery? Worried.

Jump to this post

@chirpybirdy
My wife had GERD for many years. About 6 years ago she had a fundoplication surgery. The GERD disappeared right after the surgery. And she has not experienced it since. Unfortunately, the surgery caused her bowels to go wonky. She had diarrhea every morning. She was still happy to swap out GERD for the morning diarrhea. Maybe the antibiotics cleared out her good gut bacteria?? The surgeon said it should disappear in 6 months. It did not. Her GI doctor could not explain it. About a year ago, the morning diarrhea flipped to constipation. Go figure? GI doc doesn't think this is related to her surgery. But she never suffered from these bowel issues before the surgery. She is still happy to not have the GERD. The bowel issues are manageable.

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | Mar 20 10:20am
In reply to @ppenoyar "@chirpybirdy My wife had GERD for many years. About 6 years ago she had a fundoplication..." + (show)
Profile picture for ppenoyar @ppenoyar

@chirpybirdy
My wife had GERD for many years. About 6 years ago she had a fundoplication surgery. The GERD disappeared right after the surgery. And she has not experienced it since. Unfortunately, the surgery caused her bowels to go wonky. She had diarrhea every morning. She was still happy to swap out GERD for the morning diarrhea. Maybe the antibiotics cleared out her good gut bacteria?? The surgeon said it should disappear in 6 months. It did not. Her GI doctor could not explain it. About a year ago, the morning diarrhea flipped to constipation. Go figure? GI doc doesn't think this is related to her surgery. But she never suffered from these bowel issues before the surgery. She is still happy to not have the GERD. The bowel issues are manageable.

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@ppenoyar
Was she given antibiotics?
I don't think it's common practice to give them pre-surgery. I was given them only because during the pre-op physical I had remnants of a cold. She should try the PLAIN yogurt.

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luvnursing52 | @luvnursing52 | Mar 21 12:05pm
In reply to @ppenoyar "@chirpybirdy My wife had GERD for many years. About 6 years ago she had a fundoplication..." + (show)
Profile picture for ppenoyar @ppenoyar

@chirpybirdy
My wife had GERD for many years. About 6 years ago she had a fundoplication surgery. The GERD disappeared right after the surgery. And she has not experienced it since. Unfortunately, the surgery caused her bowels to go wonky. She had diarrhea every morning. She was still happy to swap out GERD for the morning diarrhea. Maybe the antibiotics cleared out her good gut bacteria?? The surgeon said it should disappear in 6 months. It did not. Her GI doctor could not explain it. About a year ago, the morning diarrhea flipped to constipation. Go figure? GI doc doesn't think this is related to her surgery. But she never suffered from these bowel issues before the surgery. She is still happy to not have the GERD. The bowel issues are manageable.

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@ppenoyar Your wife's predicament is exactly what happened with me after 2 fundoplications. I firmly believe I have nerve damage from the 2 surgeries. I take Miralax daily and a very good (expensive) probiotic daily, and keep up on my fiber intake. It appears to be a double-edged sword with the fiber. It do have WAY too much flatulence with it. I drink a lot of water. Right now I'm dealing with swallowing issues that have become worse- again, I believe this is all from nerve damage from the 2 surgeries. It has been miserable with every meal being another adventure. I have to lay down on my L side most of the time after eating. My first surgery was in 2011 & done incorrectly. It had to be 'undone' & re-wrapped in 2017.

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