Post-Nissen Fundoplication Problems: What helps?

I had the Nissan fundoplication about a year and a half ago. Time seemed to help at first, but now I have unexpected diarrhea about 3 a.m. It may have to do w/ having gastroparesis. I'm wearing the adult diapers to prevent a major cleaning job.
Dr. put me on Cholestyramine, which helps control diarrhea, and changed one of my meds from Mesalamine to Budesonide. I had been on Mesa. for many years. That might be part of the problem.
Gas and sulphur belching w/ still the possibility of diarrhea. He wants me to control it w/ diet, but that doesn't work if something upsets me.
Like missing the traditional family after-Christmas reunion this year. I look forward to it all year long. We all stay together in an Airbnb. Too close for comfort right now.
On the good side, I lost about 40
pounds and have kept it off, due to now having a smaller stomach.

I was told I had a very real chance of developing throat cancer so after 3 yrs I decided to have surgery to correct my acid relux. I had a nissen fundoplication in 2022 that failed and I had to have it redone and I am still extremely miserable. Last week I saw a doctor in Evans GA that said he can reverse the surgery. However I am going to see 3 more doctors before I make a decision. This is scary but i have so much pain when I eat I have to do something. And until I met this doctor I had absolutely no clue I could get a reversal surgery. So scary or not I have to do something because this is painful. I wish I would have NEVER had this done. I was truly one of the worst decisions of my life. So if anyone has had it reversed and has had a good experience please respond and let us know.

The doc who did mine said to make sure that you get someone experienced tho everyone has to do their first one sometime. Been a Godsend for me. Sorry to hear that your's didn't work out. One has to eat and drink slow otherwise it wants to back up on you.

My initial Nissen was in 2009. They did a tightening revision in 2014 which they no longer do. Now, my lower esophageal sphincter is non functional and Nissen has fallen apart. I am now diaphragmatic.

We will do this! Kit

I have had 2 fundoplications, a Nissen in 2011 ( that was done incorrectly, I later found out) and a cholecystectomy at the same time. HUGE mistake. Told me that my gall stones could be aggravating my reflux. In 2017 I had it redone and the surgeon did a Toupet wrap. It did help but I now am back on Prilosec. The bloating is unreal- I look 7 mos. pregnant by the end of the day.
Gas X does little or nothing for the bloat. Of course fiber makes it worse but I need it for the chronic constipation. So I try to eat small, frequent meals and try to limit my fat intake, but when you have a spouse w/o a colon and is underweight, that is rather difficult. I do what I can, but eating has become a challenge instead of a pleasure.

I was pretty miserable with my hiatal hernia, and had 2 friends that had it done, one with the same surgeon as mine. I've been sick with stomach issues ever since. I have problems now with diarrhea, so often that it has caused my anal muscles to weaken, and now I have fecal incontinence and always wear pads, carry spare underwear with me. I have little to no appetite and have lost a lot of weight. I have lost 15 pounds in just the last 5months. I'm going to a specialty clinic about 2 hours away at the end of the month. 8 month wait time and lots of tests before I could schedule an appointment. I also developed another hiatal hernia, I will not have that one "taken care of".

I do have a somewhat positive attitude about what is going on. I have gotten used to my normal. I don’t like it, but it is my story and limited fixes for my body are available. Medications, very small meals. High protein. Lots of water, no wine and more liquid than food. Weight loss. Not really dating due to super flatulence and uncertain diarrhea. Food tubes have already been discussed. Not in my plan. I just thank God each day and think about all blessings in my life. This is simply a very big speed bump. I have found a level of peace in communicating with all of you. Thank you for sharing your stories!!!!!!! Kit

Sending encouragement!
Kit

I am so sorry you are going through this all. My Grandsin had 2 full wraps 360 degree ones that were both very successful. He started violently vomiting again in 2024 and was told he needed a revision again and the Dr said he would be great after he did a half wrap 270 degree wrap. That operation immediately failed and the surgeon shut the door in our faces. The hastro Dr that had referred us to this surgeon then decide to do an upper endoscopy again and found food undigested in his stomach when it still shouldn’t have been there.
He then said he may need a motility specialist. My 23 year old grandson that did a test called a Hasidic emptying study. It can tell you how you’re digesting your food. He did 2 of those and both of those showed he wasn’t digesting his food properly. He was then diagnosed with a disease called Gastroparesis which no nurse ever knows about when we go into the hospital with him vomiting 24:7 all the time time. It’s a horrific disease that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. It has been such a hard life for this kid and I am so heartbroken as he is losing weight rapidly and very sick now. This has been an absolute nightmare and I am trying to find a Dr or somewhere that will help him and care whether he lives or dies now. I haven’t been lucky enough yet and just keep praying for a miracle as we need one. I also pray 🙏for everyone else that is suffering terribly with this disease. The reason I told you my long story is because I wanted to see if you ever had a gastric emptying study done because if the vagus nerve is damaged during your operation it can happen that you now have gastroparesis
It can happen to people with any surgery the surgeon damages the vagus nerve by mistake. I’m on the gastroparesis supoortvgrouo and have learned this from these people suffering from this disease. There are many reasons people can develop this disease but one person asked how did you get your GP and many people said after my gallbladder operation or after my hernia repair or after my Nissen fundoplicatiin surgery. It is a rare disease they say , but it can unfirtunately happen to anyone. Just wanted to inform you and all that might benefit from the knowledge I have gained from this. Unfortunately I am still trying to help grandson survive and will probably die inn the process as I am not well at all and it’s very hard on my body dealing and watching his horrific suffering. If God is smiling in me that is all that really matter to me . The best of luck to you and may Gid bless you and your family with better health now and always! Sending my prayers and love 💕 to yiu and yours always🙏💜❤️💚🙏😇