On September 19, 2001, I passed out in my kitchen while getting a glass of milk before bed. I had no indication that my treatment of "over active stomach" was not doing the job. I had a hiatal hernia, a bleeding ulcer, and early signs of Barrette's Esophagus. After several months of medication and change in diet, my doctor felt that surgery for the hernia was in order. Two endoscopies confirmed the remission of the Barrette's and a reduction in the irritation of the ulcer, but the hernia was large and needed repair. After a visit to the endoscopy lab at St. Luke's hospital in Boise, Idaho [I live in McCall, ID], for an esophageal pressure evaluation, I met with Dr. Huntington to schedule the surgery.

Preparation for the surgery was simple, no food or fluid for twelve hours prior to sugary. I checked in to the out-patient clinic and was prepped for surgery. The surgery went well. I had an over-night stay where I enjoyed two liquid diet meals then was released. There was little or no pain from the surgery, just pain in the shoulder area. This was explained by Dr. Huntington as a symptom of the absorption of the CO2 used to inflate the abdominal cavity for surgery. That lasted about five days and was easily treated with Tylenol. I have enjoyed a liquid to soft diet for the past two weeks and have now progressed to soft food with no problems. Yes, the swallowing takes a little longer and more time than it used to, but it certainly is worth it as there has been no signs of GERD since the surgery.

There are some changes in how and what I eat and drink, but that is not hard to get used to as I have never been a big eater and never really enjoyed soda [carbonated drinks]. I am looking forward to returning to a more active life style, including returning to some running and working out on a regular schedule. That I have missed!

I hope this will be encouraging to anyone who has is contemplating this surgery or is recovering.

Sincerely,
Michael H. Lilley