EsophyX TIF A Big Disappointment

  • Thread starter Thread starter hawkins6
  • Start date Start date
H

hawkins6

Guest
No advice, but just to let you know, I feel your pain. My TIF was Deceraber 4th 2009.
I went off my PPIs for a few weeks, but was chewing tums and sleeping with my head elevated. Finally I gave up and now am back on one omeropzale at night. I occassionally skip a night, but all in all, I guess I had to come to the realization that the TIF was a flop.
 
Hi MMhisley,

I had an endo scope and the Dr. saw the bile in my stomach...he said he can tell the difference between acid and bile. I am on my way to a pancreas Dr. to find out why I am having this bile reflux...they say people who have had their gallbladder out get this alot.....I am looking for a surgical fix....so tired of medicines that really don't work.

I hope this helps you.

Love Pink
 
No stomach pain here...maybe I didn't notice as I was still taking pain pills on day three. Perhaps it has something to do with what you are eating. I lived on milk products for the first week and they tend to keep my stomach under control....milk, milkshakes, puddings, cream of soup. I'm sure you will improve, but if not, be sure to call the doctor. Six weeks after the procedure, I need to keep reminding myself that I am supposed to be "recovering" still...keep the faith, it'll get better. I am able to go without the PPIs for days at a time. My biggest problem is that I had hoped the burning in my gums and mouth were coming from my stomach, but I was wrong and am still in pain with that. Probably has nothing to do with acid reflux, but who knew?
 
Hello Hawkins6, I am so sorry to hear that the EspohyX TIF has not worked for you and you're back on your PPI (omeropzale). The TIF is a more difficult process to go through than I expected, and the diet restrictions are a real challenge. Sad and disappointing when all the effort does not pay off with the hoped for successful outcome. I am still taking Nexium, as well as something called carafate, which is intended to heal stomach ulcers. The gastroenterologist has not actually said that I have a stomach ulcer and has just called my latest problem gastritis, which is an inflamation of the stomach lining. I have another appointment on Wed., March 10, and hope to know more at that time. At this point, if I could turn the clock back, I would CERTAINLY NOT have had the EspohyX TIF procedure. I think my acid reflux and the TIF procedure is all related to my current problem, which is causing me some daily stomach pain. I just want to feel better and not hurt! Please take care and I wish you, and everyone reading this, the very best.
 
First of all...yes my insurance company got the final bill (BC/BS ppo) and paid what they had contracted for that service, which was substantially lower than they were billed. It was still incredibly high I thought...like probably around $15,000 for hospital, doctor etc. If you get stuck paying out of pocket, be sure to negotiable a fair price...not sure what that would be. I had my TIF on Dec 4th. After several attempts to go off the PPIs, I think I'm finally able to do that, for the most part. Last week, after eating everything I wanted, good and bad, I only needed to take one pill. I am trying to ward off taking the PPIs by chewing Tums, whyich seems to work some. I haven't eaten tomato sauce or chicken wings or drank wine and probably won't for a while. But I am back on decaf coffee...actually I never went off it, just changed from regular to decaf after the TIF (they gave it to me in the hospital so I figured why not?). I guess it takes awhile longer, even after the restricted diet, for the TIF to make a difference.
I will follow up with a gastro guy rather than my surgeon, as I don't know what else the surgeon could or would do for me. Any references will be appreciated.
 
Thanks for your encouraging worRAB. I did call Dr. Bada today and asked about the stomach pain I was having, which seems to be gas. He suggested I try an over-the-counter medication, such as Gas-X, and said this problem should clear up in a week or so. He said I might be swallowing air, which is contributing to the problem. This might be the case because I have been drinking protein drinks using a straw, which, now that I think about it, using a straw can cause air in the stomach.
Regarding the continued problems you are having with you teeth/mouth... According to one of the brochures I received, "GERD sufferers may experience complications" such as dental erosions. So,would it be possible that your GERD problem did cause your mouth troubles? Perhaps a dentist could recommend something to help?
 
I don't know exactly how to explain my feelings when I stopped the PPI. It was kind of a loose feeling, like I could go either way...reflux or no reflux. My doctor said to just quit...and when I asked him what next, he said "No more reflux". I believe we have the same surgeon. Now, do you also have a gastro guy? I don't know of a good one in the area. If you do, I'd appreciate the name. I will have to say that as the days go by, I'm feeling less like I could have reflux. The first night I had lasagna it ripped me up inside, just like it used to, but the second and third night (I made a huge pan of it) it didn't really bother me. My first cosmo killed me...I'm afraid to try another..maybe that's a good thing. I really don't know what to expect in the future. I do know that the procedure wasn't the complete answer I thought it would be. I guess it's fine if you live on bland dairy products, but maybe I would have felt fine even without the procedure eating that way.
 
TO KAWKINS6 OR ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED: I have a friend who highly recommenRAB two "outstanding" gastroenterologists. They are brothers in practice together in Venice, FL. Their names are Dr. Tariq Khan and Dr. Jaffer Khan with an office at 8421 Pointe Loop Drive, Venice, FL. The phone nuraber is 941-412-9787. While I have not personally seen either of these doctors yet, my friend says they are "the best"...knowledgeable, experienced, pleasant, professional and caring. Also, Hawkins6, you mentioned "several attempts to go off the PPIs..." That is what I'm dealing with now. What worked for you? Gradually reducing your dosage? Taking a PPI every other day? Quitting cold turkey and toughing it out? I see Dr. Bada (my surgeon) tomorrow and will get his advice, but I'm most interested in what worked for you - or anyone else who has been through this - to get off of the PPIs?
 
For all you fellow GERD and Acid Reflux sufferers, please think twice before having any surgery, especially the TIF, in hopes of eliminating your ailments. I had mine on Deceraber 4th of this year. The 23 hours in the hospital afterwarRAB were less than pleasant. I have been on a restrictive diet ever since, but as I add more "normal" food, anything with the least bit of spice, I get acid reflex in terms of the acidy taste coming up my esophes and throat. At first I thought it was just a fluke and took some Tums to settle it down. This morning I finally gave up hopes of recovery and went back on my PPIs, Still on the restrictive diet so as not to cause any damage to the procedure, but I am questioning what was the point of all this. I'm pretty much the same as I was before Deceraber 4th, expect that the doctor has a lot of my money and I have gone through a lot of discomfort. I'm not sure how the promotional information can boast "no more pills...eat whatever you want" Anyone have a similar experience?
 
I had mine on the 4th of Dec as well. I have had a little reflux but not near as bad as I was before the procedure. I am eating well and drinking well! I was told I had a beautiful fundoplication! I can count how many times I have had reflux which is cool because before I always had it, day and night. I am still having minor chest pains and really miss beer and cokes. At this point I am happy with my decision and the money I spent. I paid out of pocket and it cost $8500. Has anyone else paid out of pocket and if so how much did it cost? I have taken a few PreviciRAB but that is probably from Vodka and stress. Not using PPI's at all. That is great because I don't have insurance because of my Gerd and Barrett's. At this point I know I am still healing and hope it will just continue to get even better. I will get scoped in May and see how well it has healed.
 
Hello Love Pink, Thanks for the information. I am seeing a gastroenterologist. What is the speciality of the doctor you will see who you called a "pancreas Dr?" That might be my next step. Thanks again.
 
I have the same symptoms.....mine is bile reflux....took a long time to figure this out...I had been on nexium 2x daily and nothing works for me...They just put me on this medicine that is supposed to soak up the bile called colestipol 3x daily...I had my gallbladder out 16 yrs and ago and have a history of pancreatitis, and had an ERCP. On my way to new Pancreas dr. and got myself a new stomach dr. good luck
 
The absolutely WORST thing about having the Nissen procedure is coming down
with a stomach virus and being totally unable to vomit. This has happened
to me twice since my procedure....never want to it happen again.
 
To hawkins6, whitewrightinc and any others who have had the Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) procedure for acid reflux: I had my TIF procedure on January 8, so I'm just past my first week. I'm still on the liquid diet and I'm still taking Nexium. (I will probably stop taking Nexium within the next couple of days.) At this point, I do not know if the TIF procedure worked for me or not. I'm feeling a bit discouraged with the liquid diet and am losing weight that I don’t need to lose. I would appreciate any information from others who have had the same procedure as to how long ago you had the TIF and how you are doing now? Thanks in advance for any input or advice. Best wishes.
 
My doc said to eliminate PPI's one week after surgery. That worked out fine for several weeks and now I am back on them. I will hopefully get things normalized and then go off them again. I am not sure how long it takes to get the full effect of the TIF procedure. Everything I have read about long term studies says the 80% of folks get off their PPI's permanently. I am hopeful I am not in the dreaded 20%! Let's keep this post going so we can alll compare our results.
 
TO: Hawkins6 ~ Yes, I believe we both had Dr. Bada for our EsophyX TIF surgeon. In response to your question regarding a gastro doctor...while I do not have one, I have a friend who sees a gastro doctor she described as "outstanding." I will ask for the name and will pass it on to you. Will you see a gastro doctor for any possible follow-up GERD/acid reflux issues? It has been a couple of weeks since your last post...how are you doing now? As for me, when I cut back on my PPIs, I immediately got a sore throat from acid reflux. Dr. Bada said to go back on the Nexium for two weeks. That was a week ago and my throat is still sore. So, I don't know what is going on with me. I also feel tired since my TIF. Did it take awhile for you to recover your energy level?

Thanks for any input from Hawkins6...or from anyone else. Best wishes.
 
Hello LovePink, Thank you for sharing your information. I had a "gastric emptying study done just this morning. That showed no problems. It does not look at the intestines, which I'm assuming is where the bile reflux problem originates. Could you tell me how your bile reflux was diagnosed? By that I mean, what test was done to idenitfy bile reflux? Thanks again.
 
Ok, I'll weigh in here. I had my TIF done in Arkansas, close to where I live, on Deceraber 4th 2009. I just got off my diet regiment and am back on normal fooRAB. The first 2 weeks after surgery I thought "gosh, I'm cured". No reflux, back on a flat bed, and was even having coffee in the mornings. About 2 weeks ago, as I started with normal fooRAB, I began to get some of the reflux symptoms again. A tickle in the throat, a bit hoarse upon waking, etc. I have taken PPI probably 5 or 6 times in the past 2 weeks. I will probably stay away from tomatoe products, spicy fooRAB, alcohol, etc for a few more weeks to see how things go. I am also going to resume cycling which I have been off of since Noveraber. I'm 49 years old and ready to be done with this. I do feel better but just hope that things don't reverse back on me. By the way,I just got my bill. It was a whopping $18,000!!! I noticed one of the other posts said that theirs was only about $6,000 or so. Anyone else had a total bill sent to them yet? I had blue cross and I am certain they will deny it. I think this was the 2nd one that my doctor had performed. I am not sure he had all the experience that I needed to get it right the first time. I am certain I was part of his learning curve. Anyone out there to compare my surgery bill with?? Anyone out there with more than 2 months of recovery?
 
hi hawkins -

I am hearing of quite a few similar experiences. Did you go into the procedure thinking it was reversible? Did you try to get it reversed afterwarRAB? There is a lot going on with the esophyx right now that people considering the procedure need to know.
 
Back
Top