Re: Advice for my Father with Achalasia

[Guest guest]

I had my Hellers and Dors at Cedars in 2009. I was well treated. I have

seen Dr. Soukasian, altho he did not do my surgery. I notr he was trained by

Dr Lutekich and that says a lot. My intake was with Edy Soffer... I was 73

when I had the surgery and am glad I did it. I have no more heartburn, which

I had for 48 years!!! I do however have foam that I have learned to get it

up so food can go down. It takes me a while longer to eat than pre-A, but

better than before the surgery. I can eat almost anything now, tho softer

foods and rare meats work best. Butter is helpful too. I fussed with a GI in

Santa Barbara for 1 1/2 years who did not have a clue what was wrong with

me. I finally got him to send me to Cedars. When I walked in the door, they

knew just what was wrong with me without my having to explain anything.

Cedars treats you well. I also know that UCLA is great too.......

in Santa Barbara

In a message dated 6/20/2011 12:38:08 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

medhelpinfo@... writes:

Sounds like your father is in good health, I'm sure all the tests have

been done

so they know for sure that he has achalasia. The surgery itself if done

laparoscopic is not that bad, the clear liquid diet before and after seem

to be

the hardest part. I had my surgery last year at UCLA with Dr. Maish,

she

is an expert also with achalasia and esophagus disorders. For me, the

procedure

" Heller/Dor " worked very well to relieve the problem and now I can eat

very well

for the first time in over 20yrs. Recovery is about 2 weeks, mostly just

taking

it easy for awhile and starting off with soft foods. Make sure you pick

the

best of the best surgeon that has done hundreds of these procedures, I

cannot

stress that point enough!

I was very fearful too, I researched and found my doctor to be very good.

I

would not do it, if the doctor has not done more than 50 of these

surgeries, not

wanting to be in their learning curve. This is not a major surgery,

fairly

simple in the hands of a good surgeon, about 2hrs or so. Recovery is

painful

the first couple of days and then it gets better. Your father being older

may

take a little longer to get his strength back, they have you on liquids

for

several days. Things like clear broth and jello. Let us know how it

goes,

wishing him the best.

Julee So. Calif.

________________________________

From: sunnykaplan <_sunnykaplan@..._ (mailto:sunnykaplan@...) >

_achalasia _ (mailto:achalasia )

Sent: Sun, June 19, 2011 6:53:12 PM

Subject: Advice for my Father with Achalasia

Greetings, My father, an otherwise healthy and vibrant 80-year old who

still

goes to his office six days a week, was diagnosed with achalasia about a

year

and a half ago. He had one botox injection, which offered him some relief,

but

now the effects have worn off. His doctors have told him that he

absolutely

needs to get the laparoscopic heller myotomy and dor fundoplication

surgery. His

diet is very limited to cream soups, yogurts and nutritional drinks and he

is

being absolutely stubborn about getting this surgery. He seems to be very

fearful of it and terrified that something will go wrong.

I would appreciate any feedback that I can offer him to guide him through

this

process as well as positive or negative feedback for surgeons in the Los

Angeles

area. He currently goes to Cedar Sinai hospital and was referred to Harmik

Soukiasian to perform the procedure, but hasn't consulted with him yet.

Here is

his Web site:

_http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Bios---Physician/P-Z/Harmik-J-Soukiasian-MD.asp

x_

(http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Bios---Physician/P-Z/Harmik-J-Soukiasian-MD.aspx)

Would also appreciate hearing about the recovery and results from this

surgery.

Thanks in advance for sharing your advice and information!

Sunny

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Guest guest]

Sounds like your father is in good health, I'm sure all the tests have been done

so they know for sure that he has achalasia.  The surgery itself if done

laparoscopic is not that bad, the clear liquid diet before and after seem to be

the hardest part.  I had my surgery last year at UCLA with Dr. Maish, she

is an expert also with achalasia and esophagus disorders.  For me, the

procedure

" Heller/Dor " worked very well to relieve the problem and now I can eat very well

for the first time in over 20yrs.  Recovery is about 2 weeks, mostly just

taking

it easy for awhile and starting off with soft foods.  Make sure you pick the

best of the best surgeon that has done hundreds of these procedures, I cannot

stress that point enough!  

I was very fearful too, I researched and found my doctor to be very good.  I

would not do it, if the doctor has not done more than 50 of these surgeries, not

wanting to be in their learning curve.  This is not a major surgery, fairly

simple in the hands of a good surgeon, about 2hrs or so.  Recovery is painful

the first couple of days and then it gets better.  Your father being older may

take a little longer to get his strength back, they have you on liquids for

several days.  Things like clear broth and jello.  Let us know how it goes,

wishing him the best.

Julee So. Calif. 

________________________________

From: sunnykaplan <sunnykaplan@...>

achalasia

Sent: Sun, June 19, 2011 6:53:12 PM

Subject: Advice for my Father with Achalasia

 

Greetings, My father, an otherwise healthy and vibrant 80-year old who still

goes to his office six days a week, was diagnosed with achalasia about a year

and a half ago. He had one botox injection, which offered him some relief, but

now the effects have worn off. His doctors have told him that he absolutely

needs to get the laparoscopic heller myotomy and dor fundoplication surgery. His

diet is very limited to cream soups, yogurts and nutritional drinks and he is

being absolutely stubborn about getting this surgery. He seems to be very

fearful of it and terrified that something will go wrong.

I would appreciate any feedback that I can offer him to guide him through this

process as well as positive or negative feedback for surgeons in the Los Angeles

area. He currently goes to Cedar Sinai hospital and was referred to Harmik

Soukiasian to perform the procedure, but hasn't consulted with him yet. Here is

his Web site:

http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Bios---Physician/P-Z/Harmik-J-Soukiasian-MD.aspx

Would also appreciate hearing about the recovery and results from this surgery.

Thanks in advance for sharing your advice and information!

Sunny

[Guest guest]

Hi Sunny for your father.

Yes I am also 80. Was diagnosed 3 years ago after several years of hell. I have

held off and doing great. It takes time to find out what you can eat, mostly

soups and Ensure plus, 1-3 per day. I found that real butter on toasted English

muffins with a slice of cheese works great for me. Butter makes it slip down. I

have a cold can of COKE to also help.

I also add Magnesium 250mg twice a day, this also opens the LES and helps with

the bowel, you can cut it down to once a day if you become too loose.

I was referred to USC Dr Demeester, but never went. I had a heart bypass 14

years ago, they almost killed me, so I stay from doctors.

Have you considered a dilation? This works for some people, however could result

in a tear in the e.

Have your father look back at least a year on this site and see what people

recommend and problems that may occur. My Achalasia started as indigestion in

the middle of the night.

If you email me with your telephone number I would call your father. My calls

are free, I use Vontage!

Ray CA OC 80

>

> Greetings, My father, an otherwise healthy and vibrant 80-year old who still

goes to his office six days a week, was diagnosed with achalasia about a year

and a half ago. He had one botox injection, which offered him some relief, but

now the effects have worn off. His doctors have told him that he absolutely

needs to get the laparoscopic heller myotomy and dor fundoplication surgery. His

diet is very limited to cream soups, yogurts and nutritional drinks and he is

being absolutely stubborn about getting this surgery. He seems to be very

fearful of it and terrified that something will go wrong.

>

> I would appreciate any feedback that I can offer him to guide him through this

process as well as positive or negative feedback for surgeons in the Los Angeles

area. He currently goes to Cedar Sinai hospital and was referred to Harmik

Soukiasian to perform the procedure, but hasn't consulted with him yet. Here is

his Web site:

> http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Bios---Physician/P-Z/Harmik-J-Soukiasian-MD.aspx

>

> Would also appreciate hearing about the recovery and results from this

surgery. Thanks in advance for sharing your advice and information!

>

> Sunny

>

[Guest guest]

>

...............> I would appreciate any feedback that I can offer him to

guide him through this process......>

Hi, Sunny,

Dilatations seem to offer one excellent option for older people with

achalasia. I was diagnosed with achalasia at age 64 and had a dilatation

at USC in Los Angeles. Now over four years later, I'm continuing to eat

well. Dr. Steve DeMeester is one of the experts for achalasia, and he

works at USC. He is a surgeon and referred me to Dr. Kline who

performed the dilatation.

Kind regards to you and your father,

Love in San Diego

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all of you that have sent me your experiences and suggestions for

my Dad. I believe he had one dilation, but it didn't make much of a

difference. I will definitely pass on the suggestions for other doctors at

USC or UCLA, it can never hurt to have other opinions and meeting a surgeon

that he has complete confidence in may be what he needs to push him over the

edge to getting surgery. I'll keep you updated!

Best wishes to you all, Sunny