Re: Dr. for Lap Heller Myotomy

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I had Dr. Chojnacki do my lap HM w/dor fundo. I interviewed her prior to surgery

and asked if anyone had problems after surgery, she replied " one woman, her

symptoms were not typical and she did the surgery hoping it would help her. " (I

knew there was a negative notation on the internet from one patient.) She was

patient, seemed knowledgeable and said she had done over 100 HM's. She did my

surgery 2010. I was eating small portions the first couple months post surgery

and then I became progressively worse getting to the point that I could not eat.

A dilation was performed 7 months after HM by a GI doc at Jeff for a blockage. I

became increasingly worse and 1 month later went to Mayo in MN where I was

diagnosed with nerve damage to stomach. Prior to Mayo Dr. Chojnacki had told me

that she did not know what was going on, my symptoms were never typical for

Achalasia, even though all tests (barium, manometry) confirmed I indeed had

Achalasia. This did irritate me since we had the prior conversation before

surgery. Anyway, I finally found this support group and emailed Dr. Richter

(world authority on Achalasia, transferred from Cleveland Clinic) at Temple U

Hospital in Philadelphia. Since by this time I was diagnosed with the nerve

damage from surgery he referred me to his associate at Temple, Dr. Parkman,

another authority on Achalasia who is also an expert on motility. I underwent

several tests, had my meds changed and I feel better, can now eat more than

anytime since surgery. Still eat small portions and chew well, but is much

better than living on Ensure and Carnation Instant Breakfast. There is a good

surgeon at Temple for Achalasia (Dr. Dempsey), but I understand he may be going

to U of Penn in July. Ask me any other questions you may have. Good luck!!

Glad you found this site prior to surgery, as everyone mentions, get the BEST

doctors.

BC

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> Hi, new to the site, have had achalasia for about 1 year, did all the tests,

had botox, didn't work at all. Ready for surgery. Anyone know of Dr.

Chojnacki from Jefferson U in Philly or Dr. Seteiha and Dr. Ajay Goyal

from Overlook in NJ. All 3 do lap heller myotomys. Thanks,

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[Guest guest]

Hi - from NJ - it would be worth your time, effort and travel to consult

with Dr. Rice at the the Cleveland Clinic and/or Dr. Luketich at the University

of Pittsburgh Medical Center - both are top notch, best of the best and they are

who you want.

Glad you found us!!

~ in NC

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> Hi, new to the site, have had achalasia for about 1 year, did all the tests,

had botox, didn't work at all. Ready for surgery. Anyone know of Dr.

Chojnacki from Jefferson U in Philly or Dr. Seteiha and Dr. Ajay Goyal

from Overlook in NJ. All 3 do lap heller myotomys. Thanks,

>

[Guest guest]

,

I have had barium swallows at hospital in Delaware and Mayo Clinic in MN. I have

not had the barium at either Jefferson or Temple. Which hospital were you not

impressed? I had the manometry in Delaware, Jefferson and Temple. The test at

Temple was more extensive and provided more information to my current condition.

How long have you been going to Temple?

,

I agree with another post, Dr. Rice at Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Patti in Chicago

and Dr. L in Pittsburgh seem to be VERY highly recommended and alot of success

stories are reported from this group. Good luck.

Barb

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> >> Hi, new to the site, have had achalasia for about 1 year, did all the

tests, had botox, didn't work at all. Ready for surgery. Anyone know of Dr.

Chojnacki from Jefferson U in Philly or Dr. Seteiha and Dr. Ajay

Goyal from Overlook in NJ. All 3 do lap heller myotomys. Thanks,

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[Guest guest]

,

What type surgery did your friend have with Dr. Chojnacki?

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> >> Hi, new to the site, have had achalasia for about 1 year, did all the

tests, had botox, didn't work at all. Ready for surgery. Anyone know of Dr.

Chojnacki from Jefferson U in Philly or Dr. Seteiha and Dr. Ajay

Goyal from Overlook in NJ. All 3 do lap heller myotomys. Thanks,

> >>

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[Guest guest]

I saw Dr. Cohen at Jefferson (also had my manometry done there). He told me I

needed botox and surgery (from Chojnacki), and that there were no other options.

I had read that getting botox can cause scar tissue which could make surgery

more difficult. When I tried to call him for more questions, he never returned

my call. I opted for a second opinion and saw Dr. Richter at Temple. I am

thankful i did! It was a night and day difference. He told me I had the option

to get a balloon dilation due to my age and gender (I'm a 32 female). He said

younger men tend to do better with surgery and older women tend to do better

with dilation. Since I am female and 32 he said I could go either way. I elected

to try the less invasive route with the dilation last August. He used the

smallest size balloon and I am so thankful to say that I have been able to get

food and liquids down since! Of course I will never be 100% normal as we all

know our esophagus doesn't push food down, it works by gravity so I still need

to take my time eating. At my 3 month checkup where he did a second timed

barioum swallow he saw that my emptying went from over 5 minutes to 1 minute and

my esophagus shrank down to it's normal size again. I didn't know it could do

that, he said it was stretched to about twice it's normal size before I had the

dilation done.

My point is that it's crucial to get a second opinion and I would highly

recommend Dr. Richter at Temple to anyone in the Philadelphia area. He changed

my life and I really felt he truely understood where we are coming from. He

said we're never cured, we will always need to have some tune ups along the way.

I think he's right, I'm sure my dilation won't last forever and I'll need

further treatment at some point in the future. I was so bad before my dilation

that I had lost 35 lbs and was regurgitating my own saliva. I was taking smooth

muscle relaxers to try and get food/liquids down but they stopped working after

a couple months. I went from no symotoms to not being able to get anything down

in about a year. I still have trouble with certain things due to consistency

such as peanut butter or ice cream. But I think that's because my esophagus

doesn't work to push it down. I can live with that, it's much better than it

was!

I wish you all find the help you need to get some relief from this disease.

Most people don't know how lucky they are to be able to eat and drink without

giving it a second thought.

Please feel free to email me with any questions!

Vicky from Cape May, NJ.

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> > >> Hi, new to the site, have had achalasia for about 1 year, did all the

tests, had botox, didn't work at all. Ready for surgery. Anyone know of Dr.

Chojnacki from Jefferson U in Philly or Dr. Seteiha and Dr. Ajay

Goyal from Overlook in NJ. All 3 do lap heller myotomys. Thanks,

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