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Swallowing issues 1 year after Hiatal hernia surgery & Lap Nissen.
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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I have been on PPIs for nearly 20 years, or maybe more. I have regular follow-up EGDs for my Barretts, but it is short segment, no dysplasia and has never changed so I am at pretty low risk for developing cancer. I don't have very bad symptoms, except for occasional flareups, and certainly can live with the symptoms. The surgery is because of my giant hiatal hernia with more than half my stomach and spleen in my diaphragm.
I have treated with Mayo the entire time -- but never had surgery or anesthesia.
I would not worry too much about your Barretts if it is short segment and with no dysplasia. Most never morph into something more serious. Just so you are monitored every 2-3 years, and will probably have to stay on PPIs unless/until you have the surgery. I wish you the best.
@lisalucier
Thanks for your kind response. I will be talking to my Mayo surgeon again. In addition to just general concerns about surgery and anesthesia (neither of which I ever have had) and my age (73), I had a freakout about almost everyone on this site who had a Nisson fundoplication (which is what my surgeon wants to do) talking about wishing they had never had it, having pain months or years later, not being able to belch or vomit, continued difficulty swallowing, in other words symptoms as bad or worse as before they had the surgery. I have minimal symptoms but I have a giant hiatal hernia that probably should be repaired -- but I don't know if I really need the fundoplication, or if this is just the surgeon's standard procedure which he is good at doing...... I likely will have the surgery in some shape or form. Thankis again.
@brittis
Thanks. That is good to hear. I have never been a very positive person; hard to start now 🙂 My surgery will be laproscopic but not robotic. I am pretty my surgeon knows what he is doing and I will be talking with him again. I am more than a bit concerned that the fundoplication may be "overkill" and may lead to a more difficult recovery and more side effects than necessary. But I will talk to doc about it. Thanks for responding.
@costelma - I would encourage you to talk to your surgeon again - politely and diplomatically, of course - even telling him or her about what you've read from other patients and your specific concerns about overkill. They absolutely should provide you with an answer. It's very reasonable for you to have a good understanding of why this particular procedure and how likely your recovery and side effects are to be difficult or not.