They are talking about this surgery for my son Aidan.... I am not sure I want this done. Can some of you tell me your experiences, if you regret it or not, the problems you had with it, and some more about it please?

Shae hasn't had the fundo. We all agreed (her GI, surgeon, ped, father and I) that it wasn't likely going to benefit her. So, I can't give you any specific advise about it. Click on the surgery link in the menu to the left for more detailed info about it and I'm sure some of the moms who have been there done that with the fundo will respond soon.

Read this whole section.... it will help you find more out about it.

First, fundos should only be done for complications from reflux, not reflux itself, and children usually grow out of reflux by 2 so you will want to put it off as long as possible.

Next, it isn't a cure, it just creates a while new set of problems and your child will never be the same anatomically. Our son had his done because of low immune system, lung, sinus, ear infections, aspiration, all due to reflux. Another reason is failure to thrive. Those are some reasons to have one. If your child only has reflux then you will not be pleased with the outcome in the long run because they can wretch, choke, gag, can't burp, have gas bloat syndrome, and possibly dumping syndrome due to the surgery. They grow out of the surgery and it can be loosened by one good wretching spell which could happen at anytime or with a stomach bug. Some have had good experience with it though but alot of times eventually it goes wrong, ours was worth it to us because our son doesn't get sick but he still has reflux and has even more problems eating now and gas bloat and mysterious issues because of it.....

There is alot more info I can give, If I can give you more speciifics or if you have anymore qs, post them here or feel free to IM me.

Erin said it truthfully. I have three children that have had to have fundos done. We were told that it would be the cure all and it was the furthest thing from it. I dont know to much history on your child so have a few questions for you. Have they had a ph probe done, and upper endoscopy done? Are they on meds and what ones?

The reason for all of these questions is that fundo should only be done as a last resort when there are life threatening complications or permanent damage will be done and there are no other options left. This surgery is permanent and changes your body structure which can create a whole new set of problems that were not previously there. I know some children that have done well with the fundo and no problems but there are also so many that have had complications due to the surgery. I am not trying to scare you but trying to give you the facts.

I was wondering what symptoms your child has that is having the docs talk about the fundo? I know for my children that we had no other options for my children when they had the surgery done. I do know that if I had to do over we would have to do it still but I would have liked to be more prepared. I do wish you luck and if you have any questions please fel free to ask.

Melanie

The Fundo issue can really be an emotional decision to make. My son also suffered from DGE as well as silent GERD. The deciding factor for us beyond the failure to thrive, bleeding lesions in the esophagus, illness, ect was the fact that both my husband & myself have family history's of brothers, uncles, and grandfathers whom have passed away from esophageal cancer. We traded one evil (being the DGE & yucky meds) for another sometimes worse evil (being the fundo) There just isn't enough long term research available for out comes of kids with fundoplication surgeries available for anyone to really be able to make a medical based decision. The decision has to be yours and your husbands alone.

We have been very lucky and have had great results with the fundo. But I do agree that it should be the last resort due to the fact that it can create new problems. We have been lucky and have had no major issues--what we thought were fundo problems resolved with a formula change and all is well now.