heller myotomy

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed last Aug. with achalasia or should I say I had my

heller myotomy surgery then and was actually officially diagnosed in

July of 03 with the disease. I have had several dilitations, botox

and then the myotomy surgery, dilitation in Jan. again, surgery

heller myotomy in March again and then another dilitation in July of

this year. Is anyone else having repeat problems? The dr. who has

done both of my surgeries said he can offer me 2 options, one to

redo the original surgery with some modification(who knows what that

is) and second to do some radical surgery where they open my chest

wall and cut out the diseased part of my esophagus and attach it

directly to my stomach and then what??? I have no idea. Hubby and

I may make an appointment to talk face to face with the surgeon and

let him explain in greater detail as to what he is thinking. Anyone

facing anything similiar??

PS. I got out of the hosp. last weekend after a 3 day stay with

severe dehydration , aspiration pneumonia(again) and the achalasia.

I know they can't keep putting me in and out of the hosp. Something

has to give sometime. I just don't know what to do.

Ann:)

[Guest guest]

I had a lap hellers done about 2 years ago. The surgery was not bad and I only stayed in hospital for three days. The recovery for me was not that bad I was back to work in a week and was back to my normal routine in about two weeks. I just had a redo hellers and it was done open. This was due to the wrap not being in the proper place and the myoyomy not long enough from the first surgery.

[Guest guest]

I had a lap heller myotomy (no wrap) in June 2004. I was in the

hospital for one night, then went home. I was walking, albeit slowly

the night of my operation, and jogging within 10 days. Keep in

mind, that I am a stubborn, athletic, 38 year old guy who was

determined to stay fit. I am competing in the Ironman triathlon

this August in B.C.

I hope my surgery allows me many, many, many, many , many (did I say

many?) years of comfortable eating. It ain't perfect 1 year later,

but it is very manageable and I can eat most foods, so long as I

remember to eat slow, drink, and chew well. The surgery helped me

tremendously. I stay away from breads, basically. Also, I have not

had to take my losec very often to control acids.

My heart goes out to Joan Pearse ...

from Windsor, Ontario, Canada

>

> Could some of you who have had the heller myotomy (laproscopic)

please

> email me about how you have felt after the surgery. My biggest

problem

> other than not getting the food down without difficulty is coughing

at

> night which at times is pretty bad. Does the surgery take care of

this

> and is there no escaping acid relux after the surgery (so I have

heard)

> I am 57 years old and have had this since 1999 - I have learnt to

> manage it fairly and did have a dilitation done which was not very

> helpful.