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From: Vanny on 10 May 2008 03:12
You would be surprised at how little chocolate is in a chocolate-flavoured
drink.

Vanny

"christophe" <chris_pham(a)optusnet.com.au> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:e3fc9e73-20f8-41a4-8cf3-34c784a1ac08(a)c19g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
On May 8, 9:51 am, "trigonometry1...(a)gmail.com |"
<trigonometry1...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> christophe wrote:
> > This is my first post for some time and I hope all of my friends on
> > this site are faring better. For a while, I decided to stay away in
> > order to remain positive before the fundo. As it turned out, my fundo
> > was long delayed, but I finally had it last Friday.
>
> > I had a 270? wrap. The surgeon made the decision on the spot because
> > of the relatively good condition of my esophagus.
>
> > When I was informed on Saturday, I was in a state of rage. I have
> > heard stories about the high failure rate of these wraps.
> > Nevertheless, he remained confident in his work. I also suspect he has
> > had bad experiences with very tight wraps. I wish I knew all this
> > before surgery and I told him!
>
> > The upshot is that my recovery post-op is going very well. I am onto
> > soft and pureed foods. In fact, I was having them as early as the 2nd
> > day in hospital!. I am still getting saliva coming up to my throat,
> > although apparently this has nothing to do with the wrap, but the
> > difficulty of some liquids going down. A modified barium swallow
> > showed no reflux or esophageal spasms.
>
> > I am now very worried, but I am feeling quite well. I didn't take the
> > pain killer last night and got out of hospital yesterday morning. I
> > guess if the wrap lasts 5 years, I'm extremely fit and so probably
> > could get it done again. In saying that, anything less than 5 years
> > and the surgery is a failure in my books.
>
> > I don't want to give the impression that recovery from a fundo is
> > smooth sailing. I did have quite a lot of pain and was a little
> > nauseas after going from clear fluids to a thicker soup for the first
> > time. I can only imagine what recovery from a full fundo would be
> > like. The worst part of my recovery, however, is by far my doubts
> > about the partial wrap. I always thought that if manometry was
> > successful, that is, if it didn't point to swallowing or motility
> > problems, the surgeon would attempt the tightest wrap possible.
>
> > One curious detail about my experience was my surgeon's response to my
> > concerns on day 2. He said that if necessary, he could change the wrap
> > from 270 to 360, but the time to do it was while I was in hospital -
> > while the holes were fresh :) He did say that while tighter wraps
> > were more successful for periods longer than 5 to 7 years, studies
> > before that time period the two wraps were equally good for symptom
> > prevention. He also wanted the ability to use medication again if
> > necessary.
>
> I'll make a couple of suggestions as I've been thru a fundo
> and I was back on h-2 acid reducers after about a year
> and on PPI meds after several more years.
> Do NOT go back on coffee.
> Explore alternative medicine as I believe much GERD/reflux
> is worsen by too little stomach acidity which is still
> very acid when refluxed.
> For me the H-2 Acid reducers helped, the PPI meds helped
> but they never relieved all the symptoms and added some
> of their own. The fundo helped, I was near normal for
> about a year. I could have extended this remission just
> by avoiding some of the worse foods such the above mentioned
> coffee and highly acidic fruits.
>
> Also I suggest weight loss and a program of exercise to
> maintain the weight lost after the fundo. I'll suggest
> a very low carb, high veggie, moderate beef, high fish,
> high nut, no pork, very little chicken, high coconut, high olive oil,
> rather limited milk,
> eggs only rarely diet. This diet will help address
> metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance and
> proneness to inflammation.
>
> I take betaine HCL capsules with many meals and I sleep on
> a incline when I judge I need it. 12 to 18 inches of incline not
> the foolishly small 6 or 8 inches. I've kept myself
> symptom free for nearly 4 years, and I am doing FAR better
> than when I was listening the orthodox Doctors and taking
> their toxic prescriptions. These days I can digest a boot
> provide I have enough betaine HCL caps with a meal.
> Dypepsia gone.
> Reflux gone.
> Burping gone.
> No thanks to conventional care.
>
> This may not work for you. I am not a Doctor.
> This was written for your entertainment and it
> not medical grade advice.

I think you underestimate the reasons or lifestyle choices that
influenced my decision to have the surgery in the first place. I want
to drink coffee (in moderate quantities, but at least 1 a day) and I
want to consume alcohol. During my rehab, I am not having coffee (too
much gas). In saying that, I can't see much difference between coffee
and the chocolate flavored sustagen (
http://www.sustagen.com.au/recovery.php
) which they have me taking to make sure I don't lose too much
weight.

I agree with almost all of your lifestyle recommendations for reflux.
However, you write that your wrap worked for a year and that you could
eat or drink anything. If I was you, I would have undertaken revision
surgery, but again that is a lifestyle choice. I think you need to
understand one fundamental distinction between the old LES and the new
wrap: the latter is passive, but the former is sensitive to some of
the triggers you mention.

In writing all of that, I will maintain my body weight and indulge in
the old vices more moderately than before. I also agree with you about
the PPIs and other medication. In fact, my inability to tolerate the
side effects of the medications for gerd was another reason for
undertaking surgery.


From: Bob Noble on 2 Jun 2008 21:55
Hi Chris,
Sounds like you aren't really doing too bad. I could barely eat or drink for
about six weeks. The only thing that really kept me going was everyday, I
could notice a slight improvement, so give it some time.
Could you explain the gas problem you are having, trying to come up, bloat
or just passing a lot of it?
One of the side effects of this operation is passing a lot more gas, which I
do. It's a bit embarrassing, but I'm old enough, I don't really give a darn
most of the time. :O)


Bob Noble
http://www.sonic.net/bnoble


> I have some good days, some bad days. The surgeon thinks that swelling
> might still be causing me some irritation. I have an endoscopy booked
> for another 3 months and that should be more conclusive.
> I agree with you about the hazards of big meals - not just for reflux,
> but for health in general. I am not drinking beer, but have 3 to 4
> glasses of shiraz most nights. I also have two coffees a day and drink
> Japanese green tea and water to keep my fluids up. I return to the gym
> this week.
> Post fundo, gas is quite a problem. I also get a little constipated. I
> might not be refluxing at all, although some of the symptoms seem to
> mimic reflux.
> Thanks for sharing sure experiences. Your feedback is both very
> positive and very useful. I was curious about your use of reglan.
> Isn't that drug used for bile reflux? What tests have you had post op
> to ensure the wrap is ok?
> Best wishes,
> chris

From: christophe on 3 Jun 2008 07:31
On Jun 3, 11:55 am, "Bob Noble" <bno...(a)sonic.net> wrote:
> Hi Chris,
> Sounds like you aren't really doing too bad. I could barely eat or drink for
> about six weeks. The only thing that really kept me going was everyday, I
> could notice a slight improvement, so give it some time.
> Could you explain the gas problem you are having, trying to come up, bloat
> or just passing a lot of it?
> One of the side effects of this operation is passing a lot more gas, which I
> do. It's a bit embarrassing, but I'm old enough, I don't really give a darn
> most of the time. :O)
>
> Bob Noblehttp://www.sonic.net/bnoble
>
> > I have some good days, some bad days. The surgeon thinks that swelling
> > might still be causing me some irritation. I have an endoscopy booked
> > for another 3 months and that should be more conclusive.
> > I agree with you about the hazards of big meals - not just for reflux,
> > but for health in general. I am not drinking beer, but have 3 to 4
> > glasses of shiraz most nights. I also have two coffees a day and drink
> > Japanese green tea and water to keep my fluids up. I return to the gym
> > this week.
> > Post fundo, gas is quite a problem. I also get a little constipated. I
> > might not be refluxing at all, although some of the symptoms seem to
> > mimic reflux.
> > Thanks for sharing sure experiences. Your feedback is both very
> > positive and very useful. I was curious about your use of reglan.
> > Isn't that drug used for bile reflux? What tests have you had post op
> > to ensure the wrap is ok?
> > Best wishes,
> > chris

Hi Bob,

Firstly, thank for your feedback on both this thread and others.
You're right - I'm doing pretty well, really. Remember, however, that
I only had a 270 (partial) wrap. This might explain my ability to eat
a range of foods far more quickly than the norm. Unfortunately, it
might also explain (or at least) predict why my wrap might not last as
long as yours.

On the gas, there are two separate problems. Firstly, there is the
passing of a lot more wind. That doesn't worry me at all and is
consistent with my expectations before surgery. The second issue is
chest pain. This pain is relieved by a very good bowel motion, but is
still pretty scary when it's happening. I'll just have to try a little
harder to get the diet right - I'll be eliminating beans as soon as I
get off the soft foods. I also suspect that gas is causing the reflux
type symptoms.

In this country, there are two products for gas. The first is chewable
and contains simethicone and an antacid; the second must be swallowed
whole and contains only simethicone. I am keen to try the second
option, but I'm afraid to swallow a tablet whole. On the other hand,
I'm very reluctant to use the antacid because this is the reason I
undertook surgery in the first place.

In addition to the other pains, I am also experiencing some pain near
the collarbone. The surgeon said that this pain was most likely due to
the suturing.

In writing all of that, I'm still happy overall. I'm onto more normal
foods far quicker than I ever imagined I would be.

Thanks again, Bob, for your contribution to this site,
chris
From: Vanny on 4 Jun 2008 04:41
Don't forget that with GERD one burps a lot. After the operation this will
not be possible/happen as frequently and hence more air goes out the other
end.

Here is a 'scientific' treatise of foods and their properties with respect
to wind production. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatulence

Glad to hear that you are doing well, although 3-4 glasses of Shiraz most
nights puts you in the ranks of an alcoholic.

Vanny


"christophe" <chris_pham(a)optusnet.com.au> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:4803d854-5ee4-4262-8d66-cfa9c18509b5(a)p39g2000prm.googlegroups.com...
> On Jun 3, 11:55 am, "Bob Noble" <bno...(a)sonic.net> wrote:
>> Hi Chris,
>> Sounds like you aren't really doing too bad. I could barely eat or drink
>> for
>> about six weeks. The only thing that really kept me going was everyday, I
>> could notice a slight improvement, so give it some time.
>> Could you explain the gas problem you are having, trying to come up,
>> bloat
>> or just passing a lot of it?
>> One of the side effects of this operation is passing a lot more gas,
>> which I
>> do. It's a bit embarrassing, but I'm old enough, I don't really give a
>> darn
>> most of the time. :O)
>>
>> Bob Noblehttp://www.sonic.net/bnoble
>>
>> > I have some good days, some bad days. The surgeon thinks that swelling
>> > might still be causing me some irritation. I have an endoscopy booked
>> > for another 3 months and that should be more conclusive.
>> > I agree with you about the hazards of big meals - not just for reflux,
>> > but for health in general. I am not drinking beer, but have 3 to 4
>> > glasses of shiraz most nights. I also have two coffees a day and drink
>> > Japanese green tea and water to keep my fluids up. I return to the gym
>> > this week.
>> > Post fundo, gas is quite a problem. I also get a little constipated. I
>> > might not be refluxing at all, although some of the symptoms seem to
>> > mimic reflux.
>> > Thanks for sharing sure experiences. Your feedback is both very
>> > positive and very useful. I was curious about your use of reglan.
>> > Isn't that drug used for bile reflux? What tests have you had post op
>> > to ensure the wrap is ok?
>> > Best wishes,
>> > chris
>
> Hi Bob,
>
> Firstly, thank for your feedback on both this thread and others.
> You're right - I'm doing pretty well, really. Remember, however, that
> I only had a 270 (partial) wrap. This might explain my ability to eat
> a range of foods far more quickly than the norm. Unfortunately, it
> might also explain (or at least) predict why my wrap might not last as
> long as yours.
>
> On the gas, there are two separate problems. Firstly, there is the
> passing of a lot more wind. That doesn't worry me at all and is
> consistent with my expectations before surgery. The second issue is
> chest pain. This pain is relieved by a very good bowel motion, but is
> still pretty scary when it's happening. I'll just have to try a little
> harder to get the diet right - I'll be eliminating beans as soon as I
> get off the soft foods. I also suspect that gas is causing the reflux
> type symptoms.
>
> In this country, there are two products for gas. The first is chewable
> and contains simethicone and an antacid; the second must be swallowed
> whole and contains only simethicone. I am keen to try the second
> option, but I'm afraid to swallow a tablet whole. On the other hand,
> I'm very reluctant to use the antacid because this is the reason I
> undertook surgery in the first place.
>
> In addition to the other pains, I am also experiencing some pain near
> the collarbone. The surgeon said that this pain was most likely due to
> the suturing.
>
> In writing all of that, I'm still happy overall. I'm onto more normal
> foods far quicker than I ever imagined I would be.
>
> Thanks again, Bob, for your contribution to this site,
> chris


From: christophe on 4 Jun 2008 05:03
Vanny writes: "Glad to hear that you are doing well, although 3-4
glasses of Shiraz most
nights puts you in the ranks of an alcoholic."

Possibly Vanny, but do I write like someone under the influence of
alcohol. Actually, I went nearly 6 months without a drink at one stage
so I suppose if I do so now I'm making up for lost opportunities. Six
months without alcohol is hardly the form of an alcoholic, though.
Even so, it is best not to drink at least 2 nights a week so that the
liver can recover :)

Thanks for your kind wishes. I have a high regard for almost all of
the contributers to this site.






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