Deciding whether to have a Nissen fundoplication was one of the most stressful decisions of my life. Despite having had several surgeries for other ailments, I found the decision to have an NF to be agonizing. Neither my surgeon nor my gastroenterologist would guarantee that my voice would return. They couldn’t
guarantee whether my asthma would improve. And they couldn’t tell me whether I
could wind up with painful trapped gas or some other horrible complication for
the rest of my life. Ultimately, my decision was one of desperation and a total leap of faith.
Here are a few suggestions to help make your decision a little easier:
You’re probably a good candidate for a Nissen Fundoplication if…
--Both your surgeon and your gastroenterologist agree that you need to have the surgery.
--Another doctor (such as an ear, nose, and throat physician) thinks you should have the surgery.
--You’ve tried every nonsurgical intervention (meds, bed raising, stress reduction,
elimination diet, etc.) and you’re still suffering.
--Your reflux is damaging another part of your body (such as your esophagus or vocal cords).
--You’ve developed a disability from the reflux (such as voice loss).
--You can’t eat, or you can barely eat.
--You can only tolerate a very limited number of foods.
--You feel like your life revolves around your reflux symptoms.
--Your life has become extremely restricted because of your reflux.
Do you have any other suggestions to help people make the decision to have an NF? Please share your thoughts.
guarantee whether my asthma would improve. And they couldn’t tell me whether I
could wind up with painful trapped gas or some other horrible complication for
the rest of my life. Ultimately, my decision was one of desperation and a total leap of faith.
Here are a few suggestions to help make your decision a little easier:
You’re probably a good candidate for a Nissen Fundoplication if…
--Both your surgeon and your gastroenterologist agree that you need to have the surgery.
--Another doctor (such as an ear, nose, and throat physician) thinks you should have the surgery.
--You’ve tried every nonsurgical intervention (meds, bed raising, stress reduction,
elimination diet, etc.) and you’re still suffering.
--Your reflux is damaging another part of your body (such as your esophagus or vocal cords).
--You’ve developed a disability from the reflux (such as voice loss).
--You can’t eat, or you can barely eat.
--You can only tolerate a very limited number of foods.
--You feel like your life revolves around your reflux symptoms.
--Your life has become extremely restricted because of your reflux.
Do you have any other suggestions to help people make the decision to have an NF? Please share your thoughts.
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