Fundoplication Finally Cured My Acid Reflux

I suffered with acid reflux for years. I started by self-treating with over the counter medications and chewed antacids constantly. I finally sought the help of a physician, who began prescribing medications to me. I spent week after week trying each medication without relief. I changed my eating habits, altered my lifestyle and came to the end of the road as far as non-surgical options were concerned. Upon hearing that our town's mayor had to have part of his esophagus removed because of years of acid reflux, I finally went to see a gastroenterologist.

After being tested to see whether what I was experiencing was actually acid reflux, she suggested to me that a surgical procedure called a Nissan fundoplication might be the answer to my problem. I was referred to a more specialized gastroenterologist who agreed that he would do the surgery.

So, what is a fundoplication? Acid reflux is caused when acid from your stomach refluxes into your esophagus. In the short term, the acid causes the annoying burning sensation associated with 'heartburn.' In the long term, this acid can erode the lining of the esophagus and even lead to cancer. In a fundoplication, a surgeon makes the opening from the stomach to the esophagus tighter, which prohibits the acid from refluxing. This is the procedure I had in February of 2005.

The surgery was done laproscopically and took approximately 45 minutes. I was in the hospital for one night and took nothing stronger than a motrin for the pain after that first day. Within a day after arriving home I was up on my feet and able to take care of myself. I took a total of one week off of work.

One of the most difficult parts of my recovery was the diet afterward. There is first a mandatory 2-week long liquid diet. Because it is important that the stomach's opening not be stretched while it heals, I could eat nothing solid. I did not find myself hungry for much for the first four days, but got rather hungry after that, as it is difficult to fill up on liquids. After those two weeks pass, a soft-food diet is recommended for another few weeks. Then for months after the surgery, I was instructed not to eat things that were not easily digestible, such as steaks and chewy bread.

For weeks after the surgery, any attempt to eat something hard or large was met with extreme pain. I found myself wondering if it was worth it. I no longer had heartburn, but what I was experiencing was so much worse. I was unable to lift anything or do anything physical for four weeks after the surgery, which put a crimp in my normally active lifestyle.

However, two years later I can look back and see that it was worth it. I have no more than the occasional heartburn, even during the two pregnancies I have had since the procedure. My lifestyle has returned to normal and there are no things I cannot eat. The only negative side effects I currently experience are the limited ability to burp and the inability to vomit. And sometimes, those side effects are not necessarily negative. To anyone who suffers from acid reflux and has exhausted every other option, I would recommend talking to his or her physician about the Nissan fundoplication procedure.