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Hello to all on the board. I, like most of you, have been a long time sufferer from gerd. After many long nights of weighing my options, I chose to have the EsophyX procedure done, and am now 9 days post-op. Much of the information that went into making my decision came from the internet, and in particular these forums. I figured the least that I could do was relay my experience to possibly help others forced to make a similar choice.
I was diagnosed roughly 15 years ago with a faulty LES valve, and had been on Prilosec 20 ever since. My GI doctor at the time told me surgery would eventually be necessary. After starting the "purple pill" therapy, my reflux was kept largely in check for the majority of those years. About 8 months ago, however, the pills began to stop working for me. My meds were changed to 40mg Protonix twice a day combined with 1gm Sucralfate twice a day. This helped some, but I was still getting chest pain, shortness of breath and acid in my mouth every morning.
After finding a doctor in Pittsburgh that I was comfortable with, I went through the standard testing (bravo, barium swallow, upper GI, manometry). My doctors and I decided that it was time to have surgery done. After much deliberation, I decided on the EsophyX over the standard Nissen. I had a lot of reasons for making this choice that I won't bore you with, but the bottom line was that I just felt more comfortable trying it.
Up to this point, and it is still very early, I am extremely happy with my decision. The surgery was much easier than I had anticipated. Other than feeling like I swallowed a chainsaw right after I woke up, it really wasn't too bad. For the first few hours after I continuously had air trying to force its way into my throat. It was very uncomfortable because of the combo from the new valve and lots of swelling in my throat. They did a thin liquid barium swallow right afterwards, and could see plenty of swelling. I was given a shot of painkillers along with one for nausea, and I felt better right away. I felt good enough to walk around my hospital floor with my wife later that evening. I was definitely aware that a procedure was done, but was in no real pain. I would describe it as just being uncomfortable.
I spent the night in the hospital to be monitored, and was released the next day. My surgeon told me that I could stop taking my ppi's if I wanted. I chose to take one crushed up over-the-counter Tagamet HB each day for the first week based on some of the things I had read on here. I had some mild gerd symptoms for the first few days that had me worried. I was worried even thought they told me that it took time for the valve to begin working. The more things begin to heal...the more they begin to work. The last two days are the first in 15+ years that I have had no meds and no reflux. Obviously it is still very early, but I am extremely encouraged so far. I am being overly cautious with my diet. Even though I am cleared to eat a few other things, I am staying with baby food, Boost, muscle milk, pudding, jello, chicken broth and jello for now. I am also avoiding lifting anything of weight like the plague. The doctors told me the biggest reason people have trouble with their results is from compromising the surgery by straining to lift things. My only real issue as of now is the occasional belch that wants to come up. I can feel gas come up to the valve and get stuck which is uncomfortable. Sometimes it ends up in a small belch and other times it disappears after a few seconds. Other than that, I am totally pain free at this point and feeling very positive.
I will leave some updates over the next few months on how things are going. I figure that if it ends up not working, I can always go back for the Nissen. If it continues to work as it has so far, then I feel very fortunate to have given the procedure a try.
I also wanted to thank everyone that contributes to these forums. When I needed information the most, this site helped me out in a big way.
I was diagnosed roughly 15 years ago with a faulty LES valve, and had been on Prilosec 20 ever since. My GI doctor at the time told me surgery would eventually be necessary. After starting the "purple pill" therapy, my reflux was kept largely in check for the majority of those years. About 8 months ago, however, the pills began to stop working for me. My meds were changed to 40mg Protonix twice a day combined with 1gm Sucralfate twice a day. This helped some, but I was still getting chest pain, shortness of breath and acid in my mouth every morning.
After finding a doctor in Pittsburgh that I was comfortable with, I went through the standard testing (bravo, barium swallow, upper GI, manometry). My doctors and I decided that it was time to have surgery done. After much deliberation, I decided on the EsophyX over the standard Nissen. I had a lot of reasons for making this choice that I won't bore you with, but the bottom line was that I just felt more comfortable trying it.
Up to this point, and it is still very early, I am extremely happy with my decision. The surgery was much easier than I had anticipated. Other than feeling like I swallowed a chainsaw right after I woke up, it really wasn't too bad. For the first few hours after I continuously had air trying to force its way into my throat. It was very uncomfortable because of the combo from the new valve and lots of swelling in my throat. They did a thin liquid barium swallow right afterwards, and could see plenty of swelling. I was given a shot of painkillers along with one for nausea, and I felt better right away. I felt good enough to walk around my hospital floor with my wife later that evening. I was definitely aware that a procedure was done, but was in no real pain. I would describe it as just being uncomfortable.
I spent the night in the hospital to be monitored, and was released the next day. My surgeon told me that I could stop taking my ppi's if I wanted. I chose to take one crushed up over-the-counter Tagamet HB each day for the first week based on some of the things I had read on here. I had some mild gerd symptoms for the first few days that had me worried. I was worried even thought they told me that it took time for the valve to begin working. The more things begin to heal...the more they begin to work. The last two days are the first in 15+ years that I have had no meds and no reflux. Obviously it is still very early, but I am extremely encouraged so far. I am being overly cautious with my diet. Even though I am cleared to eat a few other things, I am staying with baby food, Boost, muscle milk, pudding, jello, chicken broth and jello for now. I am also avoiding lifting anything of weight like the plague. The doctors told me the biggest reason people have trouble with their results is from compromising the surgery by straining to lift things. My only real issue as of now is the occasional belch that wants to come up. I can feel gas come up to the valve and get stuck which is uncomfortable. Sometimes it ends up in a small belch and other times it disappears after a few seconds. Other than that, I am totally pain free at this point and feeling very positive.
I will leave some updates over the next few months on how things are going. I figure that if it ends up not working, I can always go back for the Nissen. If it continues to work as it has so far, then I feel very fortunate to have given the procedure a try.
I also wanted to thank everyone that contributes to these forums. When I needed information the most, this site helped me out in a big way.
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