Has anyone here had surgery for acid reflux?

newjersey · ‎03-09-2010

I'm on one nexium a day and just recently started taking four sucralfate pills a day and still have bad acid reflux. I am going soon for an esophagram and an ultrasound of abdomen, with a possible endoscopy to follow. I am worried and scared. The gastro doc immediately brought up the possibility of needing surgery even though I haven't even had the tests yet. Any info\replies are appreciated. Thank u.

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

If you type 'endoscopy' in the box next to Community (above^^^), there are lots of threads about this particular topic.

redhead65 · ‎05-16-2015

I suffered from GERD, gastric reflux for almost 32 years. I took the pills newjersey mentioned and everything else on the market over that period of time. Nothing really eased it but some made it more tolerable.

I now take two acidophilus capsules every day, one after breakfast and one after dinner. It is amazing how much better I feel.

Although, I did have surgery due to a gastric ulcer and hiatal hernia and it was a piece of cake! I would do it all over again if necessary !

Fortunately, I have no problems now unless I were to mistreat my stomach with extremely harmful foods. The acidophilus makes eating and digestion wonderful again.

Don't be afraid of those procedures. I've done them many times and an about to go again in December. They are simple, you are dead asleep and it is simple and easy to get over. No problems.

Good to have a colonoscopy ever 5 years if you are 50 or over. Polyps can form too easily without you knowing it and if they are left in place they turn malignant usually. Best to have them checked and removed. Simple.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

Within the last couple of years, both of my adult daughters developed acid reflux issues. My youngest daughter spent 6 months last year having test after test trying to figure out what was behind her health issues, and the last test done, revealed the answer to be gall bladder. She had surgery 9 months ago. When my oldest daughter started having her issues, I pushed her to mention gall bladder as a possibility right away. Tests showed that organ was functioning at 25%, so she had her consult, and had surgery 2 weeks ago. Both daughters are seeing improvement with acid reflux and heartburn. Best wishes to you in finding your answers and a treatment that works.

OnlyShopsOnline · ‎03-09-2010

Back in 1988, I started to develop problems. The docs had a hard time trying to tell if it was all due to reflux (which I had had all of my life) or my gall bladder.

After lots of testing, it turned out to be gall bladder, reflux, and hiatal hernia. It was a rather big surgery, and difficult recovery. However, I had three procedures done at one time, and I think there are now newer methods that produce smaller incisions.

It got rid of the reflux issue for a few years, but it slowly came back. And, I have had issues with swallowing, since the beginning. I can't eat or drink extremely cold foods because they go down very slowly. All in all, not a huge deal.

If they said I needed the surgery again, and there was a better approach now, I might reconsider. If it was the same surgery I had in 1988, I would not do it again.

"I've been here since October 2006. Wow!"

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

newjersey wrote:

I'm on one nexium a day and just recently started taking four sucralfate pills a day and still have bad acid reflux. I am going soon for an esophagram and an ultrasound of abdomen, with a possible endoscopy to follow. I am worried and scared. The gastro doc immediately brought up the possibility of needing surgery even though I haven't even had the tests yet. Any info\replies are appreciated. Thank u.

What procedure was used to diagnose you with GERD?

hckynut(john)

feline groovy · ‎07-29-2014

Yes.

I had LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) surgery to tighten that ring of muscle, as my chronic GERD had gone into full-fledged dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

At the time (about 2002), I was told the improvement could last up to five years, but it's been a thankful 13 with no need to repeat the procedure.

I've had extreme GERD on a daily basis since my 20's (and IBS since I was 18), but the surgery helped to tone it down.

Along with the Protonix (another PPI: proton pump inhibitor, like Nexium) I take daily, and the food/beverage/lifestyle changes I made to help combat it decades ago.

Like you, I used to take sucralfate (Gaviscon), but it became unnecessary after the procedure.

That was an extra good thing, as it can lessen the efficacy of meds and supplements.

If you google LES surgery, you'll see tons of info, diagrams, etc. to help assuage your anxiety.

Good luck and HTH. 8)

feline groovy · ‎07-29-2014

@keithsmom65 wrote:

I suffered from GERD, gastric reflux for almost 32 years. I took the pills newjersey mentioned and everything else on the market over that period of time. Nothing really eased it but some made it more tolerable.

I now take two acidophilus capsules every day, one after breakfast and one after dinner. It is amazing how much better I feel.

Although, I did have surgery due to a gastric ulcer and hiatal hernia and it was a piece of cake! I would do it all over again if necessary !

Fortunately, I have no problems now unless I were to mistreat my stomach with extremely harmful foods. The acidophilus makes eating and digestion wonderful again.

Don't be afraid of those procedures. I've done them many times and an about to go again in December. They are simple, you are dead asleep and it is simple and easy to get over. No problems.

Good to have a colonoscopy ever 5 years if you are 50 or over. Polyps can form too easily without you knowing it and if they are left in place they turn malignant usually. Best to have them checked and removed. Simple.

Yep, probiotics - especially a supplement blend or complex with at least 20 billion active cultures - is highly recommended for both GERD and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

It also helps if you (like I) have previously tested positive for the H. pylori bacteria that causes ulcers.

Probiotics also boost the immune system.

It's also smart to have an endoscopy or gastroscopy every 5 years, to check out any changes in your esophagus and stomach that your GERD may have caused.

A preventive measure for sure.

feline groovy · ‎07-29-2014

@only shops online wrote:
Back in 1988, I started to develop problems. The docs had a hard time trying to tell if it was all due to reflux (which I had had all of my life) or my gall bladder.

After lots of testing, it turned out to be gall bladder, reflux, and hiatal hernia. It was a rather big surgery, and difficult recovery. However, I had three procedures done at one time, and I think there are now newer methods that produce smaller incisions.

It got rid of the reflux issue for a few years, but it slowly came back. And, I have had issues with swallowing, since the beginning. I can't eat or drink extremely cold foods because they go down very slowly. All in all, not a huge deal.

If they said I needed the surgery again, and there was a better approach now, I might reconsider. If it was the same surgery I had in 1988, I would not do it again.

A just-discovered amazing tip that's been all over the Interwebz:

When you're trying to swallow a liquid, tilt your body forward and drink.

Don't - as we've always done- sit up straight and tilt your head back.

This works for most, whether you've had severe dysphagia (food would often get stuck) like myself, mild-to-moderate, or have never had trouble swallowing beverages and food.

Do try it with a quarter or half glass of water.

P.S.:

Had to have my own gallstones and gallbladder removed back in 2009, and found that I have to be extra careful with foods high in unhealthy fats.

A common thing, BTW.

Reba055 · ‎06-23-2014

I have terrible GERD, I've had my esophagus dilated when it got so bad I couldn't swallow. I'm sure part of my problem is because of medications I have to take, but another thing I wanted to point out to you ladies that I've discovered along the way is how much a hormone imbalance can't affect acid reflux.

I haven't heard too much discussion about this from doctors, but there is plenty of discussion among women who are peri menopausal or those how have had hysterectomies or gone through natural menopause. I've got two friends right now who couldn't understand why all of a sudden they have acid reflux but never have in the past. Both are peri menopausal. I just wanted to mention it. I'm still trying to find the right balance myself and some of the HRT I have used have made my acid reflux flare so bad (like the patch) yet if I try to get by without HRT it gets even worse.

I'm also in the process of gallbladder testing too. Estrogen can affect your gallbladder.

Sorry for for writing a book. Lol