RE: Back from 5/10 Heller Myotomy with Dor Fundoplication at Cleveland Clinic

[Guest guest]

Aileen,

I'm so happy your experience was so positive. It's an inspiration.

Thank you very much for the encouraging post.

So glad you're on the mend. You were in my thoughts.

Happy swallowing!

- In achalasia , " aileenmonroe " <axbarbet@...> wrote:

>

> Hello All! It's Aileen happily writing about my laporascopic

> surgery. Dr. Rice performed my surgery on May 10 at the Cleveland

> Clinic. I couldn't be happier with the experience. This is a rather

> long post because I thought it might benefit others to hear most of

> my story. So, read what interests you!

>

> I was diagnosed with A at age 20 in Syracuse , NY. My GI performed

> two botox injections, but both were unsuccessful in treating my A.

> She sent me to Dr. Sidney Cohen in Philadelphia, PA, where he

> performed two balloon dilations, yet both were also unsuccessful. I

> was getting married and moving to Boston by this time, so I had to

> start all over again finding new doctors in Boston.

>

> Several months ago, I became really depressed due to A's impact on

> me. I joined this support group and started to feel better due to

> everyone's support. After discovering that my Boston surgeon was

not

> qualified to perform the surgery, and hearing the recommendations

> from this site, I called Dr. Rice's office. Dr. Rice himself

> returned my call within 2 hours. He scheduled everything

> immediately.

>

> I arrived on Monday and underwent an endoscopy, manometry, barium

> tests, bloodwork, EKG, etc. all in one day. I'll tell ya, that day

> was worse than surgery day. Dr. Rice had me on a clear liquid diet

> from Sunday night until surgery (Wednesday).

>

> Dr. Rice was straightforward but wonderful. He met with me on

Monday

> and showed me all of my test results in his office. He went over

> each one carefully and showed me a powerpoint of the surgery. I

felt

> great, but my visit became even better. Dr. Rice had another

patient

> in the room next to me who had come in for her two-month surgery

> follow-up. He brought her in to meet me. She was 85 years old! She

> looked fabulous, energetic, healthy, and happy. That woman made me

> feel great about my upcoming surgery.

>

> The morning of surgery, I was a mess, I'll admit. It was more

> because I had no energy due to my liquid diet and the " go lightly "

> crap I had to drink the night before to clean out my system. My

> surgery was only an hour and a half! I remember everything about

the

> recovery room. My husband and parents came in, and I cracked some

> jokes with them. The only pain I was experiencing came from the

> carbon dioxide they used to blow up my stomach. That pain went away

> in about 8 hours. The night in the hospital wasn't bad at all. I

> slept OK and by morning they made me get up and walk. I'm a huge

> baby when it comes to anything medical, so I certainly took it

easy.

> I was discharged that night after another barium swallow.

>

> So, the night after surgery I was drinking apple juice and eating

> chicken broth and jello. I had one spasm in the hospital and one

the

> day after surgery. That's been it so far. By Saturday, I was

outside

> my sister's house (where I stayed in Cleveland to recover) walking

> around in the fresh air.

>

> I'm halfway home now (I live in Boston). I'm at my parents' house

in

> Syracuse. Though I'm on a mushy diet for two months, food is

sliding

> down smoothly. I could not swallow oatmeal before this surgery, and

> now I can eat it as fast and normally as anyone else! Dr. Rice will

> see me in two months to do a 24 hour ph test to see if I need

> anything for acid reflux.

>

> Dr. Rice was really great, to anyone considering this surgery. He

> told me that many A patients come to him to have him fix what their

> surgeon botched up. He told me that I came to the right place and

> that he would monitor me annually after surgery to make sure I was

> getting the best treatment for my specific condition (since A is

> varies in so many ways). Even though the man is unbelievably busy,

> he took time for all of my questions, including explaining why he

> feels dor is better than toupet fundoplication, why he is against

> botox injections, and why he plans to monitor me yearly.

>

> If anyone has any specific quesitons, feel free to write. I

couldn't

> read all of the postings since my last login becuase there are

soooo

> many.

>

[Guest guest]

Aileen,

It's great to hear that your surgery went so smoothly! When I

met Dr. Rice he struck me the same way, direct and caring at the same

time. I'm glad you chose him for your surgery (you sound like you

are, too). I hope the rest of your recovery goes well! Take care!

in Michigan

>

> Hello All! It's Aileen happily writing about my laporascopic

> surgery. Dr. Rice performed my surgery on May 10 at the Cleveland

> Clinic. I couldn't be happier with the experience. This is a rather

> long post because I thought it might benefit others to hear most of

> my story. So, read what interests you!

>

> I was diagnosed with A at age 20 in Syracuse , NY. My GI performed

> two botox injections, but both were unsuccessful in treating my A.

> She sent me to Dr. Sidney Cohen in Philadelphia, PA, where he

> performed two balloon dilations, yet both were also unsuccessful. I

> was getting married and moving to Boston by this time, so I had to

> start all over again finding new doctors in Boston.

>

> Several months ago, I became really depressed due to A's impact on

> me. I joined this support group and started to feel better due to

> everyone's support. After discovering that my Boston surgeon was not

> qualified to perform the surgery, and hearing the recommendations

> from this site, I called Dr. Rice's office. Dr. Rice himself

> returned my call within 2 hours. He scheduled everything

> immediately.

>

> I arrived on Monday and underwent an endoscopy, manometry, barium

> tests, bloodwork, EKG, etc. all in one day. I'll tell ya, that day

> was worse than surgery day. Dr. Rice had me on a clear liquid diet

> from Sunday night until surgery (Wednesday).

>

> Dr. Rice was straightforward but wonderful. He met with me on Monday

> and showed me all of my test results in his office. He went over

> each one carefully and showed me a powerpoint of the surgery. I felt

> great, but my visit became even better. Dr. Rice had another patient

> in the room next to me who had come in for her two-month surgery

> follow-up. He brought her in to meet me. She was 85 years old! She

> looked fabulous, energetic, healthy, and happy. That woman made me

> feel great about my upcoming surgery.

>

> The morning of surgery, I was a mess, I'll admit. It was more

> because I had no energy due to my liquid diet and the " go lightly "

> crap I had to drink the night before to clean out my system. My

> surgery was only an hour and a half! I remember everything about the

> recovery room. My husband and parents came in, and I cracked some

> jokes with them. The only pain I was experiencing came from the

> carbon dioxide they used to blow up my stomach. That pain went away

> in about 8 hours. The night in the hospital wasn't bad at all. I

> slept OK and by morning they made me get up and walk. I'm a huge

> baby when it comes to anything medical, so I certainly took it easy.

> I was discharged that night after another barium swallow.

>

> So, the night after surgery I was drinking apple juice and eating

> chicken broth and jello. I had one spasm in the hospital and one the

> day after surgery. That's been it so far. By Saturday, I was outside

> my sister's house (where I stayed in Cleveland to recover) walking

> around in the fresh air.

>

> I'm halfway home now (I live in Boston). I'm at my parents' house in

> Syracuse. Though I'm on a mushy diet for two months, food is sliding

> down smoothly. I could not swallow oatmeal before this surgery, and

> now I can eat it as fast and normally as anyone else! Dr. Rice will

> see me in two months to do a 24 hour ph test to see if I need

> anything for acid reflux.

>

> Dr. Rice was really great, to anyone considering this surgery. He

> told me that many A patients come to him to have him fix what their

> surgeon botched up. He told me that I came to the right place and

> that he would monitor me annually after surgery to make sure I was

> getting the best treatment for my specific condition (since A is

> varies in so many ways). Even though the man is unbelievably busy,

> he took time for all of my questions, including explaining why he

> feels dor is better than toupet fundoplication, why he is against

> botox injections, and why he plans to monitor me yearly.

>

> If anyone has any specific quesitons, feel free to write. I couldn't

> read all of the postings since my last login becuase there are soooo

> many.

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Aileen,

Didn't you just love Dr. Rice? So glad your feeling well. He was fabulous

when I went up there almost 4 years ago. And yes I was one of his " fixes " ,

from being botched!!! He got angry at me for letting someone else touch me.

But thank gosh that’s all behind me now. I think I was one of his more

difficult cases! I was there in the hospital for 8 days, NOT FUN AT ALL.

But I feel he did me justice at the time. I know if I need any further

surgeries I will go back to him.

Re: Back from 5/10 Heller Myotomy with Dor

Fundoplication at Cleveland Clinic

Aileen,

It's great to hear that your surgery went so smoothly! When I

met Dr. Rice he struck me the same way, direct and caring at the same

time. I'm glad you chose him for your surgery (you sound like you

are, too). I hope the rest of your recovery goes well! Take care!

in Michigan

>

> Hello All! It's Aileen happily writing about my laporascopic

> surgery. Dr. Rice performed my surgery on May 10 at the Cleveland

> Clinic. I couldn't be happier with the experience. This is a rather

> long post because I thought it might benefit others to hear most of

> my story. So, read what interests you!

>

> I was diagnosed with A at age 20 in Syracuse , NY. My GI performed

> two botox injections, but both were unsuccessful in treating my A.

> She sent me to Dr. Sidney Cohen in Philadelphia, PA, where he

> performed two balloon dilations, yet both were also unsuccessful. I

> was getting married and moving to Boston by this time, so I had to

> start all over again finding new doctors in Boston.

>

> Several months ago, I became really depressed due to A's impact on

> me. I joined this support group and started to feel better due to

> everyone's support. After discovering that my Boston surgeon was not

> qualified to perform the surgery, and hearing the recommendations

> from this site, I called Dr. Rice's office. Dr. Rice himself

> returned my call within 2 hours. He scheduled everything

> immediately.

>

> I arrived on Monday and underwent an endoscopy, manometry, barium

> tests, bloodwork, EKG, etc. all in one day. I'll tell ya, that day

> was worse than surgery day. Dr. Rice had me on a clear liquid diet

> from Sunday night until surgery (Wednesday).

>

> Dr. Rice was straightforward but wonderful. He met with me on Monday

> and showed me all of my test results in his office. He went over

> each one carefully and showed me a powerpoint of the surgery. I felt

> great, but my visit became even better. Dr. Rice had another patient

> in the room next to me who had come in for her two-month surgery

> follow-up. He brought her in to meet me. She was 85 years old! She

> looked fabulous, energetic, healthy, and happy. That woman made me

> feel great about my upcoming surgery.

>

> The morning of surgery, I was a mess, I'll admit. It was more

> because I had no energy due to my liquid diet and the " go lightly "

> crap I had to drink the night before to clean out my system. My

> surgery was only an hour and a half! I remember everything about the

> recovery room. My husband and parents came in, and I cracked some

> jokes with them. The only pain I was experiencing came from the

> carbon dioxide they used to blow up my stomach. That pain went away

> in about 8 hours. The night in the hospital wasn't bad at all. I

> slept OK and by morning they made me get up and walk. I'm a huge

> baby when it comes to anything medical, so I certainly took it easy.

> I was discharged that night after another barium swallow.

>

> So, the night after surgery I was drinking apple juice and eating

> chicken broth and jello. I had one spasm in the hospital and one the

> day after surgery. That's been it so far. By Saturday, I was outside

> my sister's house (where I stayed in Cleveland to recover) walking

> around in the fresh air.

>

> I'm halfway home now (I live in Boston). I'm at my parents' house in

> Syracuse. Though I'm on a mushy diet for two months, food is sliding

> down smoothly. I could not swallow oatmeal before this surgery, and

> now I can eat it as fast and normally as anyone else! Dr. Rice will

> see me in two months to do a 24 hour ph test to see if I need

> anything for acid reflux.

>

> Dr. Rice was really great, to anyone considering this surgery. He

> told me that many A patients come to him to have him fix what their

> surgeon botched up. He told me that I came to the right place and

> that he would monitor me annually after surgery to make sure I was

> getting the best treatment for my specific condition (since A is

> varies in so many ways). Even though the man is unbelievably busy,

> he took time for all of my questions, including explaining why he

> feels dor is better than toupet fundoplication, why he is against

> botox injections, and why he plans to monitor me yearly.

>

> If anyone has any specific quesitons, feel free to write. I couldn't

> read all of the postings since my last login becuase there are soooo

> many.

>

[Guest guest]

hi aileen,

i am so happy to hear that everything went well for you. you sound

fantastic. you are VERY LUCKY that the CO2 left your body so

quickly -- mine lingered in my neck for about 6 days, and i was

jumping for joy when it finally went away.

good luck with your recovery, and just take it slow. the hardest

part is behind you, isn't that fantastic?

giselle

>

> Hello All! It's Aileen happily writing about my laporascopic

> surgery. Dr. Rice performed my surgery on May 10 at the Cleveland

> Clinic. I couldn't be happier with the experience. This is a rather

> long post because I thought it might benefit others to hear most of

> my story. So, read what interests you!

>

> I was diagnosed with A at age 20 in Syracuse , NY. My GI performed

> two botox injections, but both were unsuccessful in treating my A.

> She sent me to Dr. Sidney Cohen in Philadelphia, PA, where he

> performed two balloon dilations, yet both were also unsuccessful. I

> was getting married and moving to Boston by this time, so I had to

> start all over again finding new doctors in Boston.

>

> Several months ago, I became really depressed due to A's impact on

> me. I joined this support group and started to feel better due to

> everyone's support. After discovering that my Boston surgeon was

not

> qualified to perform the surgery, and hearing the recommendations

> from this site, I called Dr. Rice's office. Dr. Rice himself

> returned my call within 2 hours. He scheduled everything

> immediately.

>

> I arrived on Monday and underwent an endoscopy, manometry, barium

> tests, bloodwork, EKG, etc. all in one day. I'll tell ya, that day

> was worse than surgery day. Dr. Rice had me on a clear liquid diet

> from Sunday night until surgery (Wednesday).

>

> Dr. Rice was straightforward but wonderful. He met with me on

Monday

> and showed me all of my test results in his office. He went over

> each one carefully and showed me a powerpoint of the surgery. I

felt

> great, but my visit became even better. Dr. Rice had another

patient

> in the room next to me who had come in for her two-month surgery

> follow-up. He brought her in to meet me. She was 85 years old! She

> looked fabulous, energetic, healthy, and happy. That woman made me

> feel great about my upcoming surgery.

>

> The morning of surgery, I was a mess, I'll admit. It was more

> because I had no energy due to my liquid diet and the " go lightly "

> crap I had to drink the night before to clean out my system. My

> surgery was only an hour and a half! I remember everything about

the

> recovery room. My husband and parents came in, and I cracked some

> jokes with them. The only pain I was experiencing came from the

> carbon dioxide they used to blow up my stomach. That pain went away

> in about 8 hours. The night in the hospital wasn't bad at all. I

> slept OK and by morning they made me get up and walk. I'm a huge

> baby when it comes to anything medical, so I certainly took it

easy.

> I was discharged that night after another barium swallow.

>

> So, the night after surgery I was drinking apple juice and eating

> chicken broth and jello. I had one spasm in the hospital and one

the

> day after surgery. That's been it so far. By Saturday, I was

outside

> my sister's house (where I stayed in Cleveland to recover) walking

> around in the fresh air.

>

> I'm halfway home now (I live in Boston). I'm at my parents' house

in

> Syracuse. Though I'm on a mushy diet for two months, food is

sliding

> down smoothly. I could not swallow oatmeal before this surgery, and

> now I can eat it as fast and normally as anyone else! Dr. Rice will

> see me in two months to do a 24 hour ph test to see if I need

> anything for acid reflux.

>

> Dr. Rice was really great, to anyone considering this surgery. He

> told me that many A patients come to him to have him fix what their

> surgeon botched up. He told me that I came to the right place and

> that he would monitor me annually after surgery to make sure I was

> getting the best treatment for my specific condition (since A is

> varies in so many ways). Even though the man is unbelievably busy,

> he took time for all of my questions, including explaining why he

> feels dor is better than toupet fundoplication, why he is against

> botox injections, and why he plans to monitor me yearly.

>

> If anyone has any specific quesitons, feel free to write. I

couldn't

> read all of the postings since my last login becuase there are

soooo

> many.

>

[Guest guest]

Wow! I'm glad to hear that you're doing well now.

-Aileen

> >

> > Hello All! It's Aileen happily writing about my laporascopic

> > surgery. Dr. Rice performed my surgery on May 10 at the

Cleveland

> > Clinic. I couldn't be happier with the experience. This is a

rather

> > long post because I thought it might benefit others to hear most

of

> > my story. So, read what interests you!

> >

> > I was diagnosed with A at age 20 in Syracuse , NY. My GI

performed

> > two botox injections, but both were unsuccessful in treating my

A.

> > She sent me to Dr. Sidney Cohen in Philadelphia, PA, where he

> > performed two balloon dilations, yet both were also

unsuccessful. I

> > was getting married and moving to Boston by this time, so I had

to

> > start all over again finding new doctors in Boston.

> >

> > Several months ago, I became really depressed due to A's impact

on

> > me. I joined this support group and started to feel better due

to

> > everyone's support. After discovering that my Boston surgeon was

not

> > qualified to perform the surgery, and hearing the

recommendations

> > from this site, I called Dr. Rice's office. Dr. Rice himself

> > returned my call within 2 hours. He scheduled everything

> > immediately.

> >

> > I arrived on Monday and underwent an endoscopy, manometry,

barium

> > tests, bloodwork, EKG, etc. all in one day. I'll tell ya, that

day

> > was worse than surgery day. Dr. Rice had me on a clear liquid

diet

> > from Sunday night until surgery (Wednesday).

> >

> > Dr. Rice was straightforward but wonderful. He met with me on

Monday

> > and showed me all of my test results in his office. He went over

> > each one carefully and showed me a powerpoint of the surgery. I

felt

> > great, but my visit became even better. Dr. Rice had another

patient

> > in the room next to me who had come in for her two-month surgery

> > follow-up. He brought her in to meet me. She was 85 years old!

She

> > looked fabulous, energetic, healthy, and happy. That woman made

me

> > feel great about my upcoming surgery.

> >

> > The morning of surgery, I was a mess, I'll admit. It was more

> > because I had no energy due to my liquid diet and the " go

lightly "

> > crap I had to drink the night before to clean out my system. My

> > surgery was only an hour and a half! I remember everything about

the

> > recovery room. My husband and parents came in, and I cracked

some

> > jokes with them. The only pain I was experiencing came from the

> > carbon dioxide they used to blow up my stomach. That pain went

away

> > in about 8 hours. The night in the hospital wasn't bad at all. I

> > slept OK and by morning they made me get up and walk. I'm a huge

> > baby when it comes to anything medical, so I certainly took it

easy.

> > I was discharged that night after another barium swallow.

> >

> > So, the night after surgery I was drinking apple juice and

eating

> > chicken broth and jello. I had one spasm in the hospital and one

the

> > day after surgery. That's been it so far. By Saturday, I was

outside

> > my sister's house (where I stayed in Cleveland to recover)

walking

> > around in the fresh air.

> >

> > I'm halfway home now (I live in Boston). I'm at my parents'

house in

> > Syracuse. Though I'm on a mushy diet for two months, food is

sliding

> > down smoothly. I could not swallow oatmeal before this surgery,

and

> > now I can eat it as fast and normally as anyone else! Dr. Rice

will

> > see me in two months to do a 24 hour ph test to see if I need

> > anything for acid reflux.

> >

> > Dr. Rice was really great, to anyone considering this surgery.

He

> > told me that many A patients come to him to have him fix what

their

> > surgeon botched up. He told me that I came to the right place

and

> > that he would monitor me annually after surgery to make sure I

was

> > getting the best treatment for my specific condition (since A is

> > varies in so many ways). Even though the man is unbelievably

busy,

> > he took time for all of my questions, including explaining why

he

> > feels dor is better than toupet fundoplication, why he is

against

> > botox injections, and why he plans to monitor me yearly.

> >

> > If anyone has any specific quesitons, feel free to write. I

couldn't

> > read all of the postings since my last login becuase there are

soooo

> > many.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oops! I wasn't totally clear on that part. The bad pain from the CO2

left quickly. My left shoulder and neck ached for days, but not too

badly!

-Aileen

> >

> > Hello All! It's Aileen happily writing about my laporascopic

> > surgery. Dr. Rice performed my surgery on May 10 at the

Cleveland

> > Clinic. I couldn't be happier with the experience. This is a

rather

> > long post because I thought it might benefit others to hear most

of

> > my story. So, read what interests you!

> >

> > I was diagnosed with A at age 20 in Syracuse , NY. My GI

performed

> > two botox injections, but both were unsuccessful in treating my

A.

> > She sent me to Dr. Sidney Cohen in Philadelphia, PA, where he

> > performed two balloon dilations, yet both were also

unsuccessful. I

> > was getting married and moving to Boston by this time, so I had

to

> > start all over again finding new doctors in Boston.

> >

> > Several months ago, I became really depressed due to A's impact

on

> > me. I joined this support group and started to feel better due

to

> > everyone's support. After discovering that my Boston surgeon was

> not

> > qualified to perform the surgery, and hearing the

recommendations

> > from this site, I called Dr. Rice's office. Dr. Rice himself

> > returned my call within 2 hours. He scheduled everything

> > immediately.

> >

> > I arrived on Monday and underwent an endoscopy, manometry,

barium

> > tests, bloodwork, EKG, etc. all in one day. I'll tell ya, that

day

> > was worse than surgery day. Dr. Rice had me on a clear liquid

diet

> > from Sunday night until surgery (Wednesday).

> >

> > Dr. Rice was straightforward but wonderful. He met with me on

> Monday

> > and showed me all of my test results in his office. He went over

> > each one carefully and showed me a powerpoint of the surgery. I

> felt

> > great, but my visit became even better. Dr. Rice had another

> patient

> > in the room next to me who had come in for her two-month surgery

> > follow-up. He brought her in to meet me. She was 85 years old!

She

> > looked fabulous, energetic, healthy, and happy. That woman made

me

> > feel great about my upcoming surgery.

> >

> > The morning of surgery, I was a mess, I'll admit. It was more

> > because I had no energy due to my liquid diet and the " go

lightly "

> > crap I had to drink the night before to clean out my system. My

> > surgery was only an hour and a half! I remember everything about

> the

> > recovery room. My husband and parents came in, and I cracked

some

> > jokes with them. The only pain I was experiencing came from the

> > carbon dioxide they used to blow up my stomach. That pain went

away

> > in about 8 hours. The night in the hospital wasn't bad at all. I

> > slept OK and by morning they made me get up and walk. I'm a huge

> > baby when it comes to anything medical, so I certainly took it

> easy.

> > I was discharged that night after another barium swallow.

> >

> > So, the night after surgery I was drinking apple juice and

eating

> > chicken broth and jello. I had one spasm in the hospital and one

> the

> > day after surgery. That's been it so far. By Saturday, I was

> outside

> > my sister's house (where I stayed in Cleveland to recover)

walking

> > around in the fresh air.

> >

> > I'm halfway home now (I live in Boston). I'm at my parents'

house

> in

> > Syracuse. Though I'm on a mushy diet for two months, food is

> sliding

> > down smoothly. I could not swallow oatmeal before this surgery,

and

> > now I can eat it as fast and normally as anyone else! Dr. Rice

will

> > see me in two months to do a 24 hour ph test to see if I need

> > anything for acid reflux.

> >

> > Dr. Rice was really great, to anyone considering this surgery.

He

> > told me that many A patients come to him to have him fix what

their

> > surgeon botched up. He told me that I came to the right place

and

> > that he would monitor me annually after surgery to make sure I

was

> > getting the best treatment for my specific condition (since A is

> > varies in so many ways). Even though the man is unbelievably

busy,

> > he took time for all of my questions, including explaining why

he

> > feels dor is better than toupet fundoplication, why he is

against

> > botox injections, and why he plans to monitor me yearly.

> >

> > If anyone has any specific quesitons, feel free to write. I

> couldn't

> > read all of the postings since my last login becuase there are

> soooo

> > many.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Aileen,

Welcome back and I'm so thrilled to hear that you are pleased with your experience with Dr. Rice!

I have scheduled my surgery with Dr. Rice for June 14th. Like you, I start a clear liquid diet the Sunday before. I had one question - why a mushy diet for 2 months? Is that per Dr. Rice, or your own decision to be cautious?

I hope your recovery continues to go well and you are enjoying your new "normal"!

Love from (in Ohio)

From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of aileenmonroeSent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:52 PMachalasia Subject: Back from 5/10 Heller Myotomy with Dor Fundoplication at Cleveland Clinic

Hello All! It's Aileen happily writing about my laporascopic surgery. Dr. Rice performed my surgery on May 10 at the Cleveland Clinic. I couldn't be happier with the experience. This is a rather long post because I thought it might benefit others to hear most of my story. So, read what interests you!I was diagnosed with A at age 20 in Syracuse , NY. My GI performed two botox injections, but both were unsuccessful in treating my A. She sent me to Dr. Sidney Cohen in Philadelphia, PA, where he performed two balloon dilations, yet both were also unsuccessful. I was getting married and moving to Boston by this time, so I had to start all over again finding new doctors in Boston. Several months ago, I became really depressed due to A's impact on me. I joined this support group and started to feel better due to everyone's support. After discovering that my Boston surgeon was not qualified to perform the surgery, and hearing the recommendations from this site, I called Dr. Rice's office. Dr. Rice himself returned my call within 2 hours. He scheduled everything immediately. I arrived on Monday and underwent an endoscopy, manometry, barium tests, bloodwork, EKG, etc. all in one day. I'll tell ya, that day was worse than surgery day. Dr. Rice had me on a clear liquid diet from Sunday night until surgery (Wednesday). Dr. Rice was straightforward but wonderful. He met with me on Monday and showed me all of my test results in his office. He went over each one carefully and showed me a powerpoint of the surgery. I felt great, but my visit became even better. Dr. Rice had another patient in the room next to me who had come in for her two-month surgery follow-up. He brought her in to meet me. She was 85 years old! She looked fabulous, energetic, healthy, and happy. That woman made me feel great about my upcoming surgery. The morning of surgery, I was a mess, I'll admit. It was more because I had no energy due to my liquid diet and the "go lightly" crap I had to drink the night before to clean out my system. My surgery was only an hour and a half! I remember everything about the recovery room. My husband and parents came in, and I cracked some jokes with them. The only pain I was experiencing came from the carbon dioxide they used to blow up my stomach. That pain went away in about 8 hours. The night in the hospital wasn't bad at all. I slept OK and by morning they made me get up and walk. I'm a huge baby when it comes to anything medical, so I certainly took it easy. I was discharged that night after another barium swallow. So, the night after surgery I was drinking apple juice and eating chicken broth and jello. I had one spasm in the hospital and one the day after surgery. That's been it so far. By Saturday, I was outside my sister's house (where I stayed in Cleveland to recover) walking around in the fresh air. I'm halfway home now (I live in Boston). I'm at my parents' house in Syracuse. Though I'm on a mushy diet for two months, food is sliding down smoothly. I could not swallow oatmeal before this surgery, and now I can eat it as fast and normally as anyone else! Dr. Rice will see me in two months to do a 24 hour ph test to see if I need anything for acid reflux. Dr. Rice was really great, to anyone considering this surgery. He told me that many A patients come to him to have him fix what their surgeon botched up. He told me that I came to the right place and that he would monitor me annually after surgery to make sure I was getting the best treatment for my specific condition (since A is varies in so many ways). Even though the man is unbelievably busy, he took time for all of my questions, including explaining why he feels dor is better than toupet fundoplication, why he is against botox injections, and why he plans to monitor me yearly. If anyone has any specific quesitons, feel free to write. I couldn't read all of the postings since my last login becuase there are soooo many.

[Guest guest]

Sorry I haven't signed on again in so long. I've been catching up at

work. Dr. Rice just called me today and told me to advance my diet.

He said he usually checks patients at the one-month mark and lets

them advance their diet. Since I'm so far away, he said I could just

advance it since I'm feeling good about my swallowing.

Aileen

>

> Aileen,

>

> Welcome back and I'm so thrilled to hear that you are pleased with

your

> experience with Dr. Rice!

>

> I have scheduled my surgery with Dr. Rice for June 14th. Like

you, I

> start a clear liquid diet the Sunday before. I had one question -

why a

> mushy diet for 2 months? Is that per Dr. Rice, or your own

decision to

> be cautious?

>

> I hope your recovery continues to go well and you are enjoying

your new

> " normal " !

>

> Love from (in Ohio)

>

> ________________________________

>

> From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ]

On

> Behalf Of aileenmonroe

> Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:52 PM

> achalasia

> Subject: Back from 5/10 Heller Myotomy with Dor

> Fundoplication at Cleveland Clinic

>

>

> Hello All! It's Aileen happily writing about my laporascopic

> surgery. Dr. Rice performed my surgery on May 10 at the Cleveland

> Clinic. I couldn't be happier with the experience. This is a

rather

> long post because I thought it might benefit others to hear most

of

> my story. So, read what interests you!

>

> I was diagnosed with A at age 20 in Syracuse , NY. My GI performed

> two botox injections, but both were unsuccessful in treating my A.

> She sent me to Dr. Sidney Cohen in Philadelphia, PA, where he

> performed two balloon dilations, yet both were also unsuccessful.

I

> was getting married and moving to Boston by this time, so I had to

> start all over again finding new doctors in Boston.

>

> Several months ago, I became really depressed due to A's impact on

> me. I joined this support group and started to feel better due to

> everyone's support. After discovering that my Boston surgeon was

not

> qualified to perform the surgery, and hearing the recommendations

> from this site, I called Dr. Rice's office. Dr. Rice himself

> returned my call within 2 hours. He scheduled everything

> immediately.

>

> I arrived on Monday and underwent an endoscopy, manometry, barium

> tests, bloodwork, EKG, etc. all in one day. I'll tell ya, that day

> was worse than surgery day. Dr. Rice had me on a clear liquid diet

> from Sunday night until surgery (Wednesday).

>

> Dr. Rice was straightforward but wonderful. He met with me on

Monday

> and showed me all of my test results in his office. He went over

> each one carefully and showed me a powerpoint of the surgery. I

felt

> great, but my visit became even better. Dr. Rice had another

patient

> in the room next to me who had come in for her two-month surgery

> follow-up. He brought her in to meet me. She was 85 years old! She

> looked fabulous, energetic, healthy, and happy. That woman made me

> feel great about my upcoming surgery.

>

> The morning of surgery, I was a mess, I'll admit. It was more

> because I had no energy due to my liquid diet and the " go lightly "

> crap I had to drink the night before to clean out my system. My

> surgery was only an hour and a half! I remember everything about

the

> recovery room. My husband and parents came in, and I cracked some

> jokes with them. The only pain I was experiencing came from the

> carbon dioxide they used to blow up my stomach. That pain went

away

> in about 8 hours. The night in the hospital wasn't bad at all. I

> slept OK and by morning they made me get up and walk. I'm a huge

> baby when it comes to anything medical, so I certainly took it

easy.

> I was discharged that night after another barium swallow.

>

> So, the night after surgery I was drinking apple juice and eating

> chicken broth and jello. I had one spasm in the hospital and one

the

> day after surgery. That's been it so far. By Saturday, I was

outside

> my sister's house (where I stayed in Cleveland to recover) walking

> around in the fresh air.

>

> I'm halfway home now (I live in Boston). I'm at my parents' house

in

> Syracuse. Though I'm on a mushy diet for two months, food is

sliding

> down smoothly. I could not swallow oatmeal before this surgery,

and

> now I can eat it as fast and normally as anyone else! Dr. Rice

will

> see me in two months to do a 24 hour ph test to see if I need

> anything for acid reflux.

>

> Dr. Rice was really great, to anyone considering this surgery. He

> told me that many A patients come to him to have him fix what

their

> surgeon botched up. He told me that I came to the right place and

> that he would monitor me annually after surgery to make sure I was

> getting the best treatment for my specific condition (since A is

> varies in so many ways). Even though the man is unbelievably busy,

> he took time for all of my questions, including explaining why he

> feels dor is better than toupet fundoplication, why he is against

> botox injections, and why he plans to monitor me yearly.

>

> If anyone has any specific quesitons, feel free to write. I

couldn't

> read all of the postings since my last login becuase there are

soooo

> many.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>