Heart Medication

How many procedures is good for a surgeon?
I'm considering a laproscopic surgeon for a fundoplication. He's done about 130, including revisions. He's also involved in investigative endoscopic procedures, such as plicator. My question: does 130 procedures represent a good level of experience? thx ... 22 Mar 2007 18:06

Motility Test
Another question for Howard: I had motility testing done this week and while I don't have official results yet, the nurse told me that some of my readings were normal and some were 'weak'. I also had low LES pressures. I'm now worried that I may not be a good candidate for a fundoplication. I've done some rea... 5 Apr 2007 10:49

Laparoscopic surgeon in NYC
I'm meeting with a laparoscopic surgeon in New York to discuss doing a fundoplication. His name's Dr. Shah; he's done about 130 of these. His main practice seems to be gastic bypasses; former patients who underwent this procedure were very happy with him, according to reviews on some websites. Has anyone here had ... 14 Mar 2007 12:14

Use of Betaine HCL for Esophagitis
This is a question for Howard: What do you think of the use of Betaine HCL for GERD? I've heard of people weaning off of their PPI medications using Betaine HCL. I am hesitant to try because my EGD showed Esophagitis with superficial erosions. I've also heard that the use of Betaine HCL increases the acidity ... 15 Mar 2007 08:27

fundoplication vs plicator
I am considering having a fundoplication, but I'm hearing so many mixed reviews that I'm very nervous about it. I was also considering the new plicator procedure, but it has not been well studied. Is there anyone who has had the plicator procedure? I'd like to hear a first hand experience. Thanks, Christin... 10 Mar 2007 01:00

Pain after endoscopy
Hi, I had an EGD done yesterday morning and he did 8 biopsies. (I have had one done before without biopsies and I had no problems afterwards.) I heard my GI tell the nurse that my esophagus looked inflamed but then forgot to ask him about it afterwards. I have had tons of pain since the procedure especially when... 8 Mar 2007 21:30

finally, a sympathetic doctor!!
I went to the doctor for what I thought were scary symptoms. Two weeks ago, they increased my dosage of Levothroid to 100mcg. I felt like I was choking, that crazy globus feeling in my throat, terrible abdominal pain, nausea, raspy throat and some foods were getting stuck at the back of my throat--mostly bread th... 6 Mar 2007 20:09

Lap nissan question for Howard
Howard, through MII testing, upper gi, gastric emptying study, 48 hour bravo, and multiplie egd's it's been determined that I'm a good candidate for a fundoplication, so I'm in the process of checking out surgeons in the denver area - there are only 4-5 that perform the surgery so I feel somewhat limited.. I met... 6 Mar 2007 13:45

rchuttan@bidmc.harvard.edu
Feedback from those who have actually had this procedure, please. David in VA ... 5 Mar 2007 19:12

Other causes of reflux?
Anybody know if there any other known causes of chronic reflux besides a weak esophaegal sphincter? I jsut had a manometry test, but it didn't show anything unusual (I get the full analysis in a few days). It's puzzling to me, because I get heartburn daily if I don't take PPIs, and until I started sleeping at an ... 28 Feb 2007 04:34