Question 1

how long does it normally take to recover after having a nissen fundoplication for gerd?

Accepted Answer

Days-to-weeks: Following a laparoscopic fundoplication, there is minimal incisional pain which can be managed as an outpatient within a few days after surgery.  However, there is often swelling around the "wrap" that may make eating a normal diet quite difficult for weeks.

Question 2

does the stomach pain caused by my gerd go away after having a nissen fundoplication?

Accepted Answer

It should.: Prior to performing a fundoplication, i always have my patients undergo a 24-hr pH test.  This will objectively measure the severity of your gerd and allow us to correlate your pain episodes with your reflux; this will help predict your response to surgery.  Keep in mind that most people with gerd do not need surgery; this disease is usually best managed non-surgically.

Question 3

what are the most common complications of a nissen fundoplication for gerd?

Accepted Answer

EARLY or LATE?: Early complications include injury to the stomach, esophagus, or adjacent organs (spleen).  Late complications may be due to the wrap being too tight (difficulty swallowing, gas-bloat syndrome) or too loose (persistent reflux).  Rarely, nerve injury can lead to diarrhea and/or poor emptying of the stomach.

Question 4

is it okay to go through a nissen fundoplication for gerd after having a gall bladder removal done on me?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There are some risks in that previous surgery can let to scar tissue formation and this can make the fundoplication surgery more difficult for the surgeon especially if he will try to perform the surgery laproscopically. There are good criteria to determine if the fundoplication is necessary.

Question 5

how does the nissen fundoplication reduce the symptoms of gerd?

Accepted Answer

Reinforce LES: The lower esophageal sphincter (les) is a high pressure zone at the junction of where the esophagus meets the stomach. In reflux disease the les is weakened, allowing stomach acid to reflux back into the esophagus, causing symptoms of gerd. The nissen procedure restores the pressure of the les by wrapping a portion of the stomach around the junction.

Question 6

how does esophyx compare to nissen fundoplication in terms of efficacy and safety? i have bad gerd and laryngitis. which should i do?

Accepted Answer

Both have pros&cons: Bad gerd with laryngitis that is poorly managed with meds makes you a candidate for either procedure.
Esophyx is endoscopic without scars but is newer, less studied& not indicated for big hiatal hernia.
Laparoscopic nissen fundoplication is the gold standard but it is a surgery/more expensive and makes it difficult to heave or burp.
They are both operator dependent & patient selection is key.

Question 7

what tests should be run before considering a nissen fundoplication  to manage severe, chronic gerd?

Accepted Answer

Hiatal hernia & GERD: An upper endoscopy can reveal a hiatal hernia which may be readily amendable to surgical correction via nissen fundoplication. An upper GI study, ct scan & ultrasound may or may not be needed as egd is usually capable of identifying hiatal hernia. Endoscopic hiatal hernia repair is another procedure one can consider for this problem. H. Pylori should be tested for and eradicated.

Question 8

is linx system a better option for me than nissen fundoplication? if i have severe gerd les(0,3mhg)? thanks

Accepted Answer

No : No Nissan fundoplication have a fifty years or more of success in spite being more invasive has better track record of success now done with laparoscope as out patient make it more appealing the surgery fix the problem of hernia and reflux at the same time any other alternative like LINX could prevent reflux for a short time and it does not have long record of success yet get second opinion

Question 9

im 40 years old and had the fundoplication 15 years ago but it failed. what are the side affects of not taking gerd medication for over ten years?

Accepted Answer

Worst case...: ...Scenario - acid reflux leading to damage to the esophagus, progressing to esophageal cancer. You need to be followed regularly by a gastroenterologist to keep this from happening.

Question 10

i have had gerd for 12 years been on ppis since then. i am 32, 6' 175lbs. considering nissen fundoplication to get off ppis and help with regurgitation. tests are good but i am hesitant, any advice?

Accepted Answer

Well...: I am not a GI specialist but do see a lot of patients with gerd.  If the ppi has controlled your symptoms, then surgery is probably not needed.  Since your are not obese by any means, weight loss would not help you much.  The fundoplication is an endoscopic procedure and you will likely benefit from it for a decade or more and i would certainly consider it if ppi has been partly beneficial.

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Doctor answers about:

How long does it normally take to recover after having a nissen fundoplication for gerd

A member asked:

How long does it normally take to recover after having a nissen fundoplication for gerd?

A member asked:

Does the stomach pain caused by my gerd go away after having a nissen fundoplication?

A member asked:

What are the most common complications of a nissen fundoplication for gerd?

A member asked:

Is it okay to go through a nissen fundoplication for gerd after having a gall bladder removal done on me?

A member asked:

How does the nissen fundoplication reduce the symptoms of gerd?

A member asked:

How does esophyx compare to nissen fundoplication in terms of efficacy and safety? i have bad gerd and laryngitis. which should i do?

A member asked:

What tests should be run before considering a nissen fundoplication to manage severe, chronic gerd?

A member asked:

Is linx system a better option for me than nissen fundoplication? if i have severe gerd les(0,3mhg)? thanks

A member asked:

Im 40 years old and had the fundoplication 15 years ago but it failed. what are the side affects of not taking gerd medication for over ten years?

A member asked:

I have had gerd for 12 years been on ppis since then. i am 32, 6' 175lbs. considering nissen fundoplication to get off ppis and help with regurgitation. tests are good but i am hesitant, any advice?

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