Guest guest Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Hi - like everyone else - I'm going to tell you to follow your own best instincts but I will tell you my experience - for what it's worth. I'm 38 and have had A for over 20 years. Initially, I had dilations - about every other year until my open Heller in 1989. It's been over 17 years now. I have had one or 2 post-op dilation - that's VERY common, but haven't had anything but routine follow up with my GI in over 10 years. (Tonia, this is for you and too) You will not ever swallow at 100% again but you can be at a point where you will be 80-90% long term. You will ALWAYS need water or something to drink when you eat. The surgery will open your LES but it will NOT return your peristalsis, you will have to rely on fluids and gravity to get your food down. You are so very fortunate to live near TCC. It is highly regarded as the best in the country and many, many people here have had their surgery there with tremendous results. Personally, I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat - even open surgery with 6 days in the hospital. Post-op you'll spend some time finding out what foods are just not going to work for you. I know for me, it's only about a handful or so - my diet is not severly limited. Otherwise, My life is pretty normal and I'm so used to my A that I don't even really think about it anymore. I just had to get used to a new normal. Good luck in your decisions and welcome to our group! Happy Swallowing! - in Va. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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