After having the nissan fundoplication, is is possible that it can affct your breathing?

Hi,

I had the Nissan Fundoplication in June 2002, after years of suffering the effects of reflux.

I was told that I would not be able to drink carbonated drinks or burp. I suffered for a couple of months post op with the regular problem of getting solids down and a couple of times I was quite unwell, on one occassion I tried to eat a bannana which just didn't want to budge, hey presto a few gulps of Coke and it was gone... I used Coke a few times to move food down, and thankfully after the initial first 2-3 months months I've had no problems in that department.

Burping - I have always been able to burp, and on some occassions I'm told that they smell disgusting, I know which ones will stink, as they seem to come from deep down and feel unlike a normal burp.

Vomitting - I have been unable to vomit from the day I had the op, (not that I made a habit of it before) I still get the feeling of wanting to vomit and the feeling you often get when you know if you can vomit you'll feel better, but unfortunately have never been able to, more often than not it has the effect of giving me the hot sweats and diarrhoea.

Breathing - I've found no problem with my breathing to date.

I'm glad I had the N F Op and would add that the couple of side effects suffered are worth it.

To anyone that's interested,

I am the person that posted the above questions.

I have since been back to the specialist that performed my nissan fundoplication operation.  He said that I should not be able to bring up any food and if I am, then the operation hasn't worked properly.  He said that back when I had my op done, they were still perfecting the procedure.  The way I understand it is, when they do the wrap (as they call it) they attach 5-6 permenant stitches to the front and one at the back to hold it in place.  In some odd cases, the back stitch has either burst or stretched allowing the food to get past.  I still have to have a gastroscopy to confirm that this is the case with me, but have been told that this is the most likely reason for my systems.  He thinks that the operation was a failure and that it is likely I'll have to have the whole thing re-done.  As you can imagine I am mortified. He said that they now put a peice of gause over the top of the back stitch, which works with the bodies scare tissue to strengthen the hold. I asked him if this was guaranteed to work and he said NO, There are no guarantees.  I don't know what to do now.  I don't want to put people off having this procedure done as I know it has worked for a lot of people.  It worked for me for a couple of years, but over time my symptoms have all come back and once again I'm bringing up food.  The doctor does not think my shortness of breath has anything to do with the op or my reflux.

Good Luck to anyone that has the procedure done.  I hope this has helped.

i had this surgery in 2004 and i still dry heav after drinking or eating too much when i was pregnant i dry heaved for 6 months straight. but the doctor told me u will have more gas and that it takes alot of force to unwrap the surgery so just be careful dont eat to much or what u no will give u reflux and as hard as it is stay clear of alcohol unless u wanna dry heav till 9 in the mornin!

Hi.

In case you read this and are interested, I`m having the same symptoms you experienced with the Nissen Fundoplication (shortness of breath).  If you wanna keep in touch, my email address is sjhon_fabio at hotmail.com.

John Serrano.