Your Dad

[Guest guest]

Dear Tyler,

I'm downloading some anti spyware so I think I can give you the

regular response we have.

That doctor's name didn't ring a bell. But that doesn't mean that

he/she isn't good.

The absolutely most important thing is that you have a well

experienced doctor who has done as many myotomies as possible that

is financially and physically close to you. Any old lap surgeon

isn't what you want. The success of the operation depends on how

many myotomies they have performed. It is a rare condition and the

surgeons who have experience are rare. I live in So Cal and an

happy to refer my surgeon but there are some in No Cal also.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

The above website has summaries of all medical publications, as far

as I can tell. Put in your surgeon's name and see what his/her

specialties (come on, aren't there some female thoracic surgeons, my

80's fight for equality was all for naught?) Also put in the

hospital along with myotomy etc.etc. It may take a few hours.

I'm unique that I had VATS surgery at Cedars Sinai in LA. That

surgeon believes that going through the ribs enables him to cut

higher up the esophagus, less into the stomach, thus no reflux and

no need for a wrap and no need for lifetime meds. He thinks the

wrap causes more trouble down the road. I think he is great but he

is in the minority. Whether you have interest in a VATS surgery

those are great questions to ask your father's prospective surgeon

because he/she should be able to justify their technique with full

working knowledge of what a VATS method is and the pros and cons.

Their technique of wrap or no wrap and type of wrap will pretty well

key you into how much expertise they have. It is controversial

whether to have a wrap and what kind, so they will have a strong

opinion. If they can't justify their method they don't know enough

in my opinion.

If you read some of the recent articles about achalasia, you will be

asking more questions and be more knowledgeable than most gi's and

surgeons.

Good luck.

Sandy in So Cal.