Swallowing issues 1 year after Hiatal hernia surgery & Lap Nissen.

Posted by faithann64 @faithann64, Apr 29, 2020

So I made a trip to the ER a couple days ago because of severe cramping and problems swallowing ! 1 year ago I had Hiatal hernia surgery and Nissen Fundoplication, Have had on and off problems since the surgery. Last couple months the abdominal pain and swallowing been getting worse ! I double over in pain and even sips of water is difficult ! The hospital did an ex ray chest and CT scan of my stomach but couldn't say really what was causing so much pain ? I have pain from throat to stomach, Even swallowing anything is painful. Abdominal pain all the time ! And yes diarrhea, ugh..And ridiculous amount of gas .. My surgeon like I said in a prior post is trying to get me in for an upper endoscopy to check my esophagus ? Has anyone had issues later on after this kind of surgery ? Thank You. ( Male , 56 years young )

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Omg I have had the same problem. I had 1 Nissen's in 2014 then I have had to have EGD every 3 to 4 months!!! I had it undone and redone but looser. Anyway been ill with chocking, upper GI pain, weight loss. Anyway we came south fir the winter. Been sick still. Had to find a GI here and last week I had an EGD and he said that my Nissen's wrap has slipped and is under my diaphragm. The reason for my hiccups is i have a hiatal hernia! It was fixed. So going home next week to have a chest xray and who know see a surgeon! Ahhhh
Take care my friend and get yourself fixed! God Bless ❤️🙏

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my issue after two nissen surgeries is the stomach pain so i had my first in september 21 exactly one year later it failed so i had number two a month after the second nissen surgery i had my gallbladder removed beginning of march stomach pain was on and off now it’s constant and i’ve been to the ER they just send me home and my stomach doctor has no openings till april 17th this pain is tiring and ibuprofen or tylenol does not help at all.

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I had surgery 2-1-2022 and have had problems since. Not seeing the swallowing issue but other major issues. massive weight loss (25% of body from 180 to 135 and 5 10"), gas and bloating that puts me in severe pain, months of diarrhea, other issues have come up also. Much of these seem to be tied to Vegas nerve but I am no Dr. I am 53 yr old and have no clue what to do.

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What’s update now in July 2023 ?? Are you better ??

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I wish I had the answers for all of you. My abdominal pain started with lap and surgery removal years ago. The surgeon told me I had a hiatal hernia but he sewed it up. The pain has gotten worse as the hernia seems to be agitated, my stomach did not feel right as I had pain plus bloating and discomfort. I have been to four specialists and numerous X-rays, MRI and CT tests. Also had endoscopy. My symptoms are worse and now when I walk, my stomach stacts restricting, cramping and I have shortness of breath and almost faint. I am at Mayo Phoenix hoping to get into GI. My doctor sent me to cardiology due to family history of cardiac issues and shortness of breath.
Has anyone has shortness of breath with hiatal hernia?
The pain is on the middle or left side abs extends around to my back,

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@babswel1 I had a Lap. Nissen in 2015 also had hiatal hernia prior to that.. the local surgeon injured nerves that help empty the stomach.. post operative gastropanesis was the Mayo MN diagnoses in a day of 3 tests.. stomach emptying the most important.. now every meal is a challenge..musr eat small meals.. eating makes you feel worse... must sleep proped up 30 degrees or more.. I fight to gain weight.. I have shortness of breath... k

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@babswel1

I wish I had the answers for all of you. My abdominal pain started with lap and surgery removal years ago. The surgeon told me I had a hiatal hernia but he sewed it up. The pain has gotten worse as the hernia seems to be agitated, my stomach did not feel right as I had pain plus bloating and discomfort. I have been to four specialists and numerous X-rays, MRI and CT tests. Also had endoscopy. My symptoms are worse and now when I walk, my stomach stacts restricting, cramping and I have shortness of breath and almost faint. I am at Mayo Phoenix hoping to get into GI. My doctor sent me to cardiology due to family history of cardiac issues and shortness of breath.
Has anyone has shortness of breath with hiatal hernia?
The pain is on the middle or left side abs extends around to my back,

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I have sliding Hiatal hernia and LPR (Gerd in throat). Sliding HH is, with breathing, stomach bulges up and down. My doctor told me not to do HH surgery; causes a lot of bloating. Shortness of breath...yes I used to have shortness of breath constantly when I ate fast or too much food. It put pressure on my diaphragm. So, when someone has HH, that person has a hole in diaphragm and stomach bulges through the hernia (hole) and comes up to the chest which can compresse the lungs and you can have shortness of breath. It also can compress the heart. These happen if you have a large HH. My hernia was 2 inch and I had same symptoms as you did. After another endoscopy, I was told my hernia is 3 inches. I am surprised HH is larger, as I feel a lot better with diet now, than it was 2 inches. Sometimes food also gets stuck on bottom of esophagus. I doubt you have any heart or lung problems, unless you have hernia again. Strict diet and losing 35 pounds due to not being able to eat, helped me to prevent surgery for last four years. Please let us know what your doctors say.

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@jord

I have sliding Hiatal hernia and LPR (Gerd in throat). Sliding HH is, with breathing, stomach bulges up and down. My doctor told me not to do HH surgery; causes a lot of bloating. Shortness of breath...yes I used to have shortness of breath constantly when I ate fast or too much food. It put pressure on my diaphragm. So, when someone has HH, that person has a hole in diaphragm and stomach bulges through the hernia (hole) and comes up to the chest which can compresse the lungs and you can have shortness of breath. It also can compress the heart. These happen if you have a large HH. My hernia was 2 inch and I had same symptoms as you did. After another endoscopy, I was told my hernia is 3 inches. I am surprised HH is larger, as I feel a lot better with diet now, than it was 2 inches. Sometimes food also gets stuck on bottom of esophagus. I doubt you have any heart or lung problems, unless you have hernia again. Strict diet and losing 35 pounds due to not being able to eat, helped me to prevent surgery for last four years. Please let us know what your doctors say.

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Jojo,
I leave for Mayo Phoenix in 1 day. Your message helped me to realize HH is probably cause of my 5 year discomfort, fainting, stomach constrictions et al.
I will see a cardiologist just in case as heart flutters now and then.
I am in 80s so I can’t get any GI ppl to even do a colonoscopy.
Thank you again. I am still hopeful because of your words.

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@babswel1

Jojo,
I leave for Mayo Phoenix in 1 day. Your message helped me to realize HH is probably cause of my 5 year discomfort, fainting, stomach constrictions et al.
I will see a cardiologist just in case as heart flutters now and then.
I am in 80s so I can’t get any GI ppl to even do a colonoscopy.
Thank you again. I am still hopeful because of your words.

Jump to this post

Good Morning,
I had the identical operation in early June. I do have a lot of gas and have almost thrown up when anything gets stuck and won't go down. I am unaware of what your Dr. told you when you were finished.... I was told that my esophagus was of little help, stay on soft foods for the rest of my life. Masticate very well anything I eat. Take sips of water after each bite. I had a motility test of the esophagus the day before the operation so that he would know whether to do a full or partial wrap. Due to the low motility (his words, your esophagus is of little help), he did a partial wrap and a partial mesh implant. I have not had any reflux since that operation and I would rather eat soft foods than go thru what I did for 14 years.

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It sounds like you are in a better place due to your operation. I am hopeful to have a suitable and successful treatment ( hopefully not surgery due to age) as well. Thank you for your inspirational message. 14 years is a long time that you suffered. My time on that has been seven years. Best wishes.

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