I live 10 miles outside Glasgow, Scotland. I had my surgery known as Partial Laproscopic Fundoplication on 17 September 2002. The operation carried out here is not the Nissen (total wrap) which is favoured in the United States but a partial wrap, which has been increased from 120 to 180 degrees in recent years. The patient is able to belch and vomit after surgery. The success rate of the operations carried out by my surgeon is 90% plus.

Reading the other stories on Gene�s website beforehand, I realised that my symptoms appeared to be nowhere near as bad as the others who have contributed with their own experiences. I am 53 years of age and have enjoyed very good health all my life. I have no other adverse health conditions. I suffered from acid reflux for more years than I care to remember (at least 20) but unlike most people with this condition, I rarely had heartburn. Regurgitation of food was my problem.

I lived with this until about 3 years ago when my doctor referred me to hospital for tests, after I complained of niggling chest pains. These would come on fairly infrequently but while not severe, could last for 15/20 minutes and did cause considerable discomfort. I was initially put through a series of cardiac tests, which were all clear and I was then referred to the gastroenterology department for more tests.

My fairly high level of reflux was discovered after the Manometry test, which was great fun. They were certainly right in assuring me it wasn�t painful but a tube up your nose and down your gullet into your stomach. Enough said. I was then put on Zoton (Lansoprazole) 30mg per day, and it was recommended that I take these for a year to see if the problem could be adequately controlled.

However the medication only offered limited relief. No more chest pain but the reflux continued after every meal except breakfast. Eventually after more than 2 years I decided to ask to be referred to the hospital consultant and asked him if he considered me suitable for the surgery. I had read about the potential for acid from the stomach damaging the lining of the gullet to an extent where there could be an increased risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus. (Spelling is different this side of the pond.) This is what made up my mind to go for the surgery.

I had to go through the Manomerty tests again due to the time lapse. For some reason it wasn�t as bad second time around. Maybe because unlike the first time I knew I would survive it. I also had an upper Endoscopy, which showed my oesophagus was undamaged. One tip to anybody having the Endoscopy is to go for sedation. I was well advised beforehand to ask to be sedated, as the throat spray method was really something to be avoided. Speaking since, to others who have had their throats sprayed the message is the same. . .never again.

My consultant surgeon has an excellent record with this surgery and beforehand I did feel confident in putting my trust in him and God. The tension was building a little and I felt I wanted to talk to somebody who had been there. Who better than Gene? I contacted him and will always remember the words in his reply when he said, if your surgeon is good then God can have the day off. I smiled at that. It made perfect sense.

48 hours ago I was on the operating table. I was also asked if my operation could be video recorded for training purposes. My surgery went very well and right now I feel pretty good. I have been eating and drinking without any difficulty. I can already eat soft food, which is one step up from everything having to be liquidised. I�m sticking to small amounts and being careful. My bowels are working normally.

When I came round from the anaesthetic, the only real pain I felt was in both my shoulders, caused I�m told by trapped wind. During keyhole surgery air is pumped into the stomach, which can cause abdominal and shoulder pain for up to 4 days. The 5 �bullet holes� are not painful, merely tender.

At this early stage I�m hopeful the surgery will prove beyond any doubt to have been the right decision for me. My main concern now is having to wait for a month before I can start playing golf again. That really is an inconvenience.

I will update my situation in a few months time.
Andrew