Nissen Fundoplication

[livingwith]

I had the first Nissen Fundoplication 6 years ago. In the first year I had trouble with bloating. And since having it done I have not burped (belched) which has been a problem. It has developed into difficulty swallowing which causes quite a bit of pain. I have to eat very slowly and chew carefully. I have also had trouble swallowing liquid. I did get the area stretched which involves a light anesthetic and having a small balloon like instrument inserted and being expanded in the area. It did no...Read the full article

[carlsonburke]

I just found this website and I wish I had 3 1/2 years ago. I don't know if you will recieve this or not, but.... I am so glad to find stories of people that know what I go through everyday. I hope your surgery came out ok...I don't think I could go through it again.

[jbrinkley]

I am in the same boat as you. Had I been informed of all the effects of this surgery, and how dangerous it is, I would not have had it done either. I was told it was a simple surgery, and of course there was a "chance" something could go wrong as with any other surgery. The doctor told me he had never had any complications with any of his surgeries. Well, the day after the surgery they tried having me eat so soft food. Well, I couldn't swallow the food. Told the doc something wasn't right and that my back was killing me, didn't sleep for three days. Back was in too bad of shape. They finally ran some test on me and found that my stomach had herniated into my left chest cavity causing me lung to collapse. They did emergency surgery and redid the surgery. I was in intensive care for three weeks, they tried several times to get me off the breathing machine without any success, called the family in one night because they didnt' think I would make it through the night. The pain was the worst ever. There is no way I would ever have this surgery again. It would take an army to get me strapped down and have them perform this again on me.

The doctor told me I was young and would benefit from this because I wouldn't have to take pills the rest of my life, and that I would have to have my esauphugus stretches every few years if I didn't have this surgery. He failed to tell me about the gas and not being able to belch part. I had this done back in 2000, a life changing experience for sure.

I did learn to research anything like this before you have it done. A little late, but hopefully someone reading this will say hmmmm............maybe I should read up on this a little more.