I'm pleased to report that my story is success all the way.

I elected to have the procedure done after many years of taking H2 blockers, (e.g., Zantac, Axid, Tagamet and even Prilosec). I was tired of taking those meds,--sometimes 3 times a day. Of course, I had to supplement them sometimes with Tums. The most effective was the Prilosec.

In the Spring of 1998 I went for the surgery after several checks on my stomach acid Ph (within normal limits) and esophogial sphincter pressure (a little weak). I went in the afternoon before the procedure for some paperwork, and then reported to the clinic at 6:00 am on 11 Mar 98 (Wednesday). I was prepped, rolled into a holding area (I was the first surgery of the morning), and into the OR by 7:00am. I was done in around 55 minutes according to Dr. Ted Ruff. He had done about 50 laparoscopic fundoplications before my case.

My surgery was BY THE BOOK. No complications, no problems. I was 43 years old at the time, and weighed about 168 lbs, having suffered from hiatal hernia symptoms for several years.

I awoke from the meds by around 8:30-9:00 am and found myself in my private room. They greeted me with some consume soup and jello! I spent the day trying to get some sleep, but found it difficult because I usually sleep on my stomach,--and I had five new holes there! (Small, ones, though).

The night was the worst. I couldn't really sleep, so I would get up and wander the halls, dragging my IV cart with me. I found chairs the most comfortable, but usually didn't stay in them for long.

I took no pain killers, and just gutted it out (it wasn't that bad). I finally asked for and received a pain killer in the morning (Thursday,--Operation plus 24 hours), and it allowed uninterupted sleep for a wonderful 30-45 minutes. It really helped. I was feeling fine when Dr. Ruff came to check on me at around 8:15 am Thursday. He checked me out, said I was ready to leave, and I checked myself out and was out of the hospital by 9:00am.

Once home, I found that I really couldn't eat much of anything. As warned, I just didn't have the stomach capacity anymore. I found that soups were okay, and some very easy things like cooked green beans. Amazingly, one small serving made me feel like I had just finished a Thanksgiving dinner!

I went back to work that Monday, five days after the operation. It was a little too early (perhaps take a week off). I didn't feel too well, especially after lunch. You just can't eat much at all. What you eat is equally important. Don't try eating mashed potatoes or rough breads! You just can't work it through your smaller, sore, esophogus for a while!

Don't try rushing along to eat too much. I found that I didn't starve to death. I did lose weight, as the nurses had advised. I dropped from about 168 to 152. They said I'd lose 10-15 lbs. Pretty accurate, and a nice side benefit.

Within two weeks of surgery, I was skiing at Telluride, Colorado! When the surgery is performed laparoscopically, recovery time is about 2 weeks, with one night in the hospital. If the surgery is "open," figure a week in the hospital, and about 4-6 weeks to full recovery.

Now, a year after the surgery, I would absolutely endure it again! I'm so pleased that I had this done. I have never experienced 'heartburn' since the procedure. I gave my Tums to a friend at the office.

Dan Lindsay