1. < Digestive Health

Reversal of a fundoplication

Posted by Pawsboy9 @pawsboy9, Aug 5, 2012

I had a hernia and the fundoplication done in February as post this my chest is on fire. Going back to see the surgeon who did it on Tuesday. Has anybody had the same experience? If this guy does not have a answer heading for Mayo.

Thanks
Dennis

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 7, 2017
In reply to @deb1987 "Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had..." + (show)
@deb1987

Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had nothing but pain ,in upper chest ,upper back ,terrible heartburn.Feel like i constantly have soar throats and something is stuck .Always bloated and whole body swollen .Food and drinks constantly get stuck .Takes almost 20 minutes of me feeling like i am choking and getting food with lots of flem to come back up .Since the wrap , I have been diagnosed with Bloating syndrome , IBS syndrome dumping syndrome, one doctor says I have a espogeal spasms one says no i don't .I have had my esphogus dilated more times then i can count .
Gone back to my surgeon 4 times in last 3 years since .Last two times i went to him said we could loosen it but want second opinion .So of causecsends me to his partner.He does edg says yeah it's to tight then does barium swollow ,which shows my esphogus closing up .But says on it's not your wrap it's espogeal spasms .Im like really .So go back to surgeon now he saying i really don't want to do it "Go back to your GI Doctor see what she can do .I am getting so tired of all these doctors .I am in constant pain all the time .All i want is to either loosen the thing or up do it .Does any one in Colorado or close to Colorado know of any surgeons that will undo the wrap .I have not felt like my self since this thing .

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@deb1987 Welcome to Mayo Connect, I see that you just joined this online patient support group. Thank you also for your post. I'm sorry to hear of the long term problems that you have. It does sound like a 2nd opinion might be a good idea, perhaps from a large medical center or university medical school. From your location how far are you from the Mayo facility in Arizona? While it might seem like a long trip, it might be worthwhile in the long run. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Teresa

REPLY
deb1987 | @deb1987 | May 7, 2017

Thank you for the advise ..I will look into it.Justvupsets me how fast surgeons are ready to do a surgery and then when you tell them their has been nothing but issues since they did it .They just shut you down and don't want to Helps .Has anyone else since their surgery have ,muscle and joint isssues .In pain and weak and always hurting ? So fatigue especially after you eat and pain in throats and loose your voice ?

REPLY
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | May 11, 2017

Hello @deb1987,

I'd like to add my welcome, and thank you for sharing your history; I can only imagine how very frustrating this must be.

We have a few other recent discussions on Nissen Fundoplication reversal, which I would sincerely encourage you to view:
Nissen Fundoplication reversal: http://mayocl.in/2pBIoLN
Failed Nissen w/gastroparesis & possible MALs: http://mayocl.in/2poaPBn

In the meantime, I'm tagging @myskye @cowboy1997 @peck1944 @kozlo52 @tgirl @robatk17 @gregoryd @katmandoo so that they may join in and share their experiences.
I’d also like to introduce you to one of our Mentors, @kdubois who can give you some valuable insights about her Nissen experience.

@brie87144 @pattitoo @squaredancer and others have posted about esophageal issues and dilation in this discussion, "Esophagus issues" http://mayocl.in/2pCGDyI. I wonder if they may have any suggestions?

@deb1987, I'd like to echo @hopeful33250's suggestion about getting a second opinion, perhaps at Mayo Clinic in Arizona; how are you coping with the pain and fatigue at present?

REPLY
1 reply
Kelly, Alumna Mentor | @kdubois | May 11, 2017
In reply to @deb1987 "Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had..." + (show)
@deb1987

Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had nothing but pain ,in upper chest ,upper back ,terrible heartburn.Feel like i constantly have soar throats and something is stuck .Always bloated and whole body swollen .Food and drinks constantly get stuck .Takes almost 20 minutes of me feeling like i am choking and getting food with lots of flem to come back up .Since the wrap , I have been diagnosed with Bloating syndrome , IBS syndrome dumping syndrome, one doctor says I have a espogeal spasms one says no i don't .I have had my esphogus dilated more times then i can count .
Gone back to my surgeon 4 times in last 3 years since .Last two times i went to him said we could loosen it but want second opinion .So of causecsends me to his partner.He does edg says yeah it's to tight then does barium swollow ,which shows my esphogus closing up .But says on it's not your wrap it's espogeal spasms .Im like really .So go back to surgeon now he saying i really don't want to do it "Go back to your GI Doctor see what she can do .I am getting so tired of all these doctors .I am in constant pain all the time .All i want is to either loosen the thing or up do it .Does any one in Colorado or close to Colorado know of any surgeons that will undo the wrap .I have not felt like my self since this thing .

Jump to this post

Hi Deb @deb1987, I'm so sorry to hear about this experience. This is not the expected result from a Nissen.

Since you have revisited your doctor many times, and have also seen his partner, at this point, I would seek a second opinion from a surgeon outside of that practice. (The best option would be to see a thoracic surgeon with ample Nissen, Nissen reversal, and Nissen correction experience.) It's strange that he's waffled on fixing the wrap, and I'm not sure how your GI doctor would be able to help you at this point, especially considering the differences in opinion regarding esophageal spasms... I'm sure this just frustrates you even more. (I've experienced this, as well.)

My Nissen was done last October by the chief of thoracic surgery at Mayo - Rochester, and it's been smooth sailing for me, but I hear about stories like your's a lot. If you are able to easily get to AZ, I would definitely go to Mayo for evaluation. It was well-worth my traveling from western NY to MN. (Also, my brother had a Nissen re-done at UVA a few years ago, so I know that these surgeries can be corrected with success.)

As an aside, prior to going to Mayo starting in late September 2015, for 12 years, I became increasingly more ill as my home doctors weren't sure how to treat the slew of symptoms I was experiencing, had misdiagnosed me with a major endocrine condition, and were unable to diagnose several other medical issues. I continued to advocate for myself and with the help of Mayo, I'm now healthier at age 45 than I was from ages 32-44. What you are experiencing right now is not normal, you deserve to return to a better quality of life, and you can achieve this once you find the right people to help you. Keep advocating for yourself; it is worth it.

REPLY
deb1987 | @deb1987 | May 14, 2017
In reply to @deb1987 "Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had..." + (show)
@deb1987

Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had nothing but pain ,in upper chest ,upper back ,terrible heartburn.Feel like i constantly have soar throats and something is stuck .Always bloated and whole body swollen .Food and drinks constantly get stuck .Takes almost 20 minutes of me feeling like i am choking and getting food with lots of flem to come back up .Since the wrap , I have been diagnosed with Bloating syndrome , IBS syndrome dumping syndrome, one doctor says I have a espogeal spasms one says no i don't .I have had my esphogus dilated more times then i can count .
Gone back to my surgeon 4 times in last 3 years since .Last two times i went to him said we could loosen it but want second opinion .So of causecsends me to his partner.He does edg says yeah it's to tight then does barium swollow ,which shows my esphogus closing up .But says on it's not your wrap it's espogeal spasms .Im like really .So go back to surgeon now he saying i really don't want to do it "Go back to your GI Doctor see what she can do .I am getting so tired of all these doctors .I am in constant pain all the time .All i want is to either loosen the thing or up do it .Does any one in Colorado or close to Colorado know of any surgeons that will undo the wrap .I have not felt like my self since this thing .

Jump to this post

Hi Kelly ,
Thank you for all the info .I have gone back and forth with my GI doctor she finally agreed to have my surgeon loosen it more or
Reverse it all way .My surgeon isn't to pleased to do it .Told me all the things that can happen but i told him i still want to it done .First have gastroparesis,then told last year or so have espogeal spasms ,now being told it's not wrap giving me all these problems but espogeal mobility isssues .When i told him still want it loosened because i have been in nothing but hell for last 3 1/2 years since i have had it .
I will meet with him next month when i am off of work for two months .Nice part about being a teacher and working for school district .Getbtwo months off yay!!!!,
Talk about it all .I am not giving up on this .Took me 3 1/2 years for my GI doc to listen and finally hear me .Wont give up on surgeon not to do it either .Thankyou and everyone for your suggestions ..
So when they redid yours .Were in you as much pain as you were the first time ?

REPLY
Katmandoo | @katmandoo | May 14, 2017
In reply to @deb1987 "Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had..." + (show)
@deb1987

Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had nothing but pain ,in upper chest ,upper back ,terrible heartburn.Feel like i constantly have soar throats and something is stuck .Always bloated and whole body swollen .Food and drinks constantly get stuck .Takes almost 20 minutes of me feeling like i am choking and getting food with lots of flem to come back up .Since the wrap , I have been diagnosed with Bloating syndrome , IBS syndrome dumping syndrome, one doctor says I have a espogeal spasms one says no i don't .I have had my esphogus dilated more times then i can count .
Gone back to my surgeon 4 times in last 3 years since .Last two times i went to him said we could loosen it but want second opinion .So of causecsends me to his partner.He does edg says yeah it's to tight then does barium swollow ,which shows my esphogus closing up .But says on it's not your wrap it's espogeal spasms .Im like really .So go back to surgeon now he saying i really don't want to do it "Go back to your GI Doctor see what she can do .I am getting so tired of all these doctors .I am in constant pain all the time .All i want is to either loosen the thing or up do it .Does any one in Colorado or close to Colorado know of any surgeons that will undo the wrap .I have not felt like my self since this thing .

Jump to this post

I haven't had mine reversed but I wish I'd never had it done. Luckily it has loosened up enough that is tolerable now. My gastric pacemaker has been a life safer and I'm so glad I had it implanted.

REPLY
Kelly, Alumna Mentor | @kdubois | May 14, 2017
In reply to @deb1987 "Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had..." + (show)
@deb1987

Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had nothing but pain ,in upper chest ,upper back ,terrible heartburn.Feel like i constantly have soar throats and something is stuck .Always bloated and whole body swollen .Food and drinks constantly get stuck .Takes almost 20 minutes of me feeling like i am choking and getting food with lots of flem to come back up .Since the wrap , I have been diagnosed with Bloating syndrome , IBS syndrome dumping syndrome, one doctor says I have a espogeal spasms one says no i don't .I have had my esphogus dilated more times then i can count .
Gone back to my surgeon 4 times in last 3 years since .Last two times i went to him said we could loosen it but want second opinion .So of causecsends me to his partner.He does edg says yeah it's to tight then does barium swollow ,which shows my esphogus closing up .But says on it's not your wrap it's espogeal spasms .Im like really .So go back to surgeon now he saying i really don't want to do it "Go back to your GI Doctor see what she can do .I am getting so tired of all these doctors .I am in constant pain all the time .All i want is to either loosen the thing or up do it .Does any one in Colorado or close to Colorado know of any surgeons that will undo the wrap .I have not felt like my self since this thing .

Jump to this post

Hi @deb1987, here's what's concerning... so many differing opinions/explanations for the causes of your issues... and now if they feel that this is an esophageal motility issue, then I would think that they'd want to loosen the wrap (assuming that it's a 360º wrap). (Prior to my surgery, Mayo was concerned about my esophageal motility based on my manometry results (plus knowing that my mom's motility is lackluster), so they specifically scheduled an esophagram the day before my surgery to better-determine my motility. They determined that my motility was good, so that enabled them to decide to do the 360º wrap.)

Regardless, what you are experiencing isn't a quality of life you should settle for. Sometimes, we patients just have to keep on advocating. You know your body best.

How much experience does your surgeon have with fixing / reversing these? I would definitely ask how many corrections and reversals s/he's done. This might affect your choice to have it done elsewhere.

Mine wasn't a redo; my brother's was. I don't think he was in any more pain than the first time, but he did have to have a larger incision. With that said, every person has different circumstances, so that may not be the case with you.

I'm glad you're a teacher and can take the summer to perhaps do this. Having that amount of time to recover will certainly help!

REPLY
deb1987 | @deb1987 | May 20, 2017
In reply to @deb1987 "Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had..." + (show)
@deb1987

Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had nothing but pain ,in upper chest ,upper back ,terrible heartburn.Feel like i constantly have soar throats and something is stuck .Always bloated and whole body swollen .Food and drinks constantly get stuck .Takes almost 20 minutes of me feeling like i am choking and getting food with lots of flem to come back up .Since the wrap , I have been diagnosed with Bloating syndrome , IBS syndrome dumping syndrome, one doctor says I have a espogeal spasms one says no i don't .I have had my esphogus dilated more times then i can count .
Gone back to my surgeon 4 times in last 3 years since .Last two times i went to him said we could loosen it but want second opinion .So of causecsends me to his partner.He does edg says yeah it's to tight then does barium swollow ,which shows my esphogus closing up .But says on it's not your wrap it's espogeal spasms .Im like really .So go back to surgeon now he saying i really don't want to do it "Go back to your GI Doctor see what she can do .I am getting so tired of all these doctors .I am in constant pain all the time .All i want is to either loosen the thing or up do it .Does any one in Colorado or close to Colorado know of any surgeons that will undo the wrap .I have not felt like my self since this thing .

Jump to this post

Yeah it is so frustrating .He is the top head of thoriatic surgeon in Denver .I understand his concerns and all but .When do you listen to your patient and not what you were taught .

REPLY
deb1987 | @deb1987 | May 24, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @deb1987, I'd like to add my welcome, and thank you for sharing your history; I..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @deb1987,

I'd like to add my welcome, and thank you for sharing your history; I can only imagine how very frustrating this must be.

We have a few other recent discussions on Nissen Fundoplication reversal, which I would sincerely encourage you to view:
Nissen Fundoplication reversal: http://mayocl.in/2pBIoLN
Failed Nissen w/gastroparesis & possible MALs: http://mayocl.in/2poaPBn

In the meantime, I'm tagging @myskye @cowboy1997 @peck1944 @kozlo52 @tgirl @robatk17 @gregoryd @katmandoo so that they may join in and share their experiences.
I’d also like to introduce you to one of our Mentors, @kdubois who can give you some valuable insights about her Nissen experience.

@brie87144 @pattitoo @squaredancer and others have posted about esophageal issues and dilation in this discussion, "Esophagus issues" http://mayocl.in/2pCGDyI. I wonder if they may have any suggestions?

@deb1987, I'd like to echo @hopeful33250's suggestion about getting a second opinion, perhaps at Mayo Clinic in Arizona; how are you coping with the pain and fatigue at present?

Jump to this post

Thank you for all the info.I am coping with it all .Been coping with it all for 3 1/2.years .Actually even before then .So what i was wondering .jas anyone had it loosened ? If so how did their surgery go and are the so much better now since having it done SK

REPLY
deb1987 | @deb1987 | May 24, 2017
In reply to @deb1987 "Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had..." + (show)
@deb1987

Hi my name is Deb.I had my Nissan done over 3 years ago .I have had nothing but pain ,in upper chest ,upper back ,terrible heartburn.Feel like i constantly have soar throats and something is stuck .Always bloated and whole body swollen .Food and drinks constantly get stuck .Takes almost 20 minutes of me feeling like i am choking and getting food with lots of flem to come back up .Since the wrap , I have been diagnosed with Bloating syndrome , IBS syndrome dumping syndrome, one doctor says I have a espogeal spasms one says no i don't .I have had my esphogus dilated more times then i can count .
Gone back to my surgeon 4 times in last 3 years since .Last two times i went to him said we could loosen it but want second opinion .So of causecsends me to his partner.He does edg says yeah it's to tight then does barium swollow ,which shows my esphogus closing up .But says on it's not your wrap it's espogeal spasms .Im like really .So go back to surgeon now he saying i really don't want to do it "Go back to your GI Doctor see what she can do .I am getting so tired of all these doctors .I am in constant pain all the time .All i want is to either loosen the thing or up do it .Does any one in Colorado or close to Colorado know of any surgeons that will undo the wrap .I have not felt like my self since this thing .

Jump to this post

Thank you Kelly .It is so nice to be able to talk to someone that understands what i have been and am going through .Its so frustrating when for 3 years since this darn thing i keep explaining to every data doctor over and over what's going on .I know that heir are risk but yeah i shouldn't have to look vex like this anymore

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