On The Surgery Topic

[Shane]

Anyone ever have bad case of GERD and had to have the Nissen Flundoplication? Im having this with a laproscopy, next week, my acid levels in my esophagus, through a 24hrs PH test were, 75.9,with the normal being 14.4 or lower WOW, my heartburn is killing me. Thanks guys for the info.

[Todd_NE]

I'm not sure if this will help you. This is a news release I wrote a few weeks ago for my clinics/hospital. It didn't copy too perfect, but I'm too lazy to fix it. I hope this helps, Todd.

"New Procedure Brings Relief to Heartburn Patients"

West Point -For the last 15 years, Tom Goulette had heartburn virtually every single day. It kept him awake at night, prevented him from eating the foods he loved and forced him to continually take over-the-counter antacids and prescription medications. Today Goulette's heartburn is gone and so are his sleepless nights thanks to a surgical procedure performed by Chris Winter, M.D, FACS, at St. Francis Memorial Hospital.
"I can't believe how great this is," said Goulette. "I couldn't be more pleased."
Tom Goulette was one of the millions of people in this country who suffer from chronic heartburn or what is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Of that number, there are some for whom medication will provide little or no relief. Many of these patients, including Goulette, are finding that videoscopic surgery, in which surgeons operate using a laparoscope that is connected to a video monitor, can be a long-term solution to an everyday problem.
"This is a well-established operation done in a new way," said Dr. Winter who practices at the Dinklage Medical Clinic in West Point. "It offers the best treatment option for many people with reflux. GERD can range from an early superficial irritation of the esophagus to long-standing disease with ulceration and narrowing of the esophagus. In a few patients, this ulceration will evolve into a cancer of the esophagus. For many people this operation can free them from lifelong medication with low surgical risk."
Chronic heartburn, or GERD, occurs when acid from the stomach surges upward into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Here, a muscular ring, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach to keep this acid from refluxing up into the esophagus. However, when the LES is not working properly or is "incompetent", reflux occurs. According to Dr. Winter, symptoms of the condition may include a burning sensation in the chest or abdomen, indigestion, regurgitation, difficulty in sleeping after eating, hoarseness, or even a sore throat. Symptoms can occur several times a day, particularly at night when a person lies down to go to sleep. This condition may also be associated with a hiatal hernia, which is when the upper portion of the stomach pushes up through an opening in the diaphragm into the chest.
In the surgical procedure, the surgeon makes a series of five to six small incisions, each less than one inch in length to create a passageway for special surgical instruments, including the laparoscope. This device transmits images from the inside of the body to video monitors in the operating room, allowing the surgeon and staff to see the operative area on the screens. The surgeon then manipulates the instruments to wrap a portion of the stomach around the lower esophagus to prevent the flow of acid into the esophagus.
Many patients can leave the hospital in two to three days, instead of the five to seven days required for traditional surgery. In addition, recovery time can be as little as seven to thirteen days, compared with twenty-eight days for traditional surgery. Until the advent of the videoscopic procedure, traditional surgery for GERD required surgeons to make a long incision in the abdomen to gain access to the area in need of repair.
A recent Gallup Survey reports that 40% of all Americans suffer from some sort of heartburn at least once a month. Of that number 18 million suffer from chronic heartburn or what is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While over-the-counter antacids and prescription medications may provide adequate relief of symptoms for occasional to moderate heartburn sufferers there are over 1 million people in this country that no amount of medication will provide relief. But many chronic heartburn sufferers are finding out that a surgical procedure may be a more effective treatment option. Many studies have demonstrated improvement in symptomatic relief and quality of life at a lower overall cost to the healthcare system when treated with this surgical option.
Diet and lifestyle may make a person more susceptible to GERD. Consumption of fried, fatty or spicy foods, caffeinated beverages, alcohol and chocolate, as well as obesity, pregnancy, smoking and the natural aging process can worsen the symptoms of GERD.
Individuals who think they may have chronic heartburn should see their family physician to determine the cause and severity of the problem, the proper steps to take to improve their condition, and to determine if he or she is an appropriate candidate for surgery.
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[Steve(CO)]

Shane
I had it done a year ago January. It was not fun, to say the least, but that was partially my idiosyncratic reaction to the painkillers used postoperatively. I had about every conceivable side effect. The surgeon and gastroenterologist basically said that anything that could go wrong did with me. The norm is much different with most people having few negative reactions. That said, the surgery was a success and I have no more GERD. I finally am creeping back up to my normal weight more than a year later after dropping over 20 pounds in the month after surgery. The bottom line is that it does work but it is not a minor procedure. I was out of work for almost a month. Others come back quicker, I guess. If the GERD is intractable and not responsive to the usualy acid blockers etc., then the fundoplication does work. Good luck.

[Shane]

Thanks, im so young i need to get my life back

[Glen]

I had nightly GERD for over three years. I recently lost twenty pounds and followed a reduced carb(not no-carb) diet(150-200g/day, which is half of what I had been eating). Haven't had a problem in over two months. Not even with eating hot peppers, tobasco, etc.. It was strange how fast this worked for me, but I still workout consistently. Surgery always has side effects, but if you must you must.

[Shane]

Ive tried everything, so its my last option

[jt24]

Well i dont think that surgery is your last option or atleast i dont think it should be!! I dont know about you but i would do anything to keep from having surgery! From what some have replied it doesnt sound fun. Have you ever thought about alternative remedies instead of the NORM! I am curious to see if at sometime in your life you werent on alot of antibotics and now you got GERD! Ya see doctors dont know everything and what not a better money making solution than to have surgery!! If you get the Familynet TV channel then you need to watch Your Health with Doug Kauffman. Look on the web for info to see if you can get it. If your interested i can maybe give you some more info on your condition. My email is jkst@redred.com. I am only trying to help you avoid surgery if it is not necessary. Hope i was of some help.