HI My Emma I think is getting ready to have this. We are seeing a surgeon a week after the 21st. One the 21st we are having a scope and ph probe done. She has a hernia and they think her intestines might be on the wrong side. After reading some of your post I am scared to death. No hotdogs, no chicken nuggets. That is oart of being a kid. But on the other hand all the pain she has been going through is not being a normal kid. She is off all meds until the 21st. She screams all night in her sleep. Can you share how this has helped your child or noy helped. After the surgery how fast was your child up and playing or going back to pre-school. We have had her on this waiting list and they have a spot on the list for her and I am not sure when the surgery will be or how long the recovery. Also did your child have to do an upper GI before and after. We alreadt had one. It was horrible. Thanl for any information.

My 6 yr old had a Nissen and hiatal hernia fixed three weeks ago. Outwardly, she seems fine - went back to school full day a week after, resuming cheerleading and theatre with little to stop her. She does tire easily, but is excited that she is able to run and jump and play like the other kids. She likes feeling "normal". She sleeps sooooo much better - no more screaming! She is, however, still unable to eat solids and has lost quite a bit of weight, so our journey is not over. It seems so scary and overwhelming - to LET someone cut your child open. But hers was done laparoscopically and she has 5 little (1/2 inch?) "holes", one in the belly button that you can't even see and 4 others that will be mostly unnoticable as she grows. We were very scared and put off her surgery for 3 years as we tried more and more medication, until there was nothing else we could do - we didn't even know about the hernia until the day of the surgery, the surgeon saw it on her 1st upper GI from when she was 6 months old! All of that being said, we are glad that we did it, healing is a slow process and no we have a different set of issues, but in the end she will be a much happier, healthier girl (we hope!). Even if they just fix the hernia, it should make a huge difference for Emma. Keep posting with questions, the more you feel prepared, the "easier" it is.

Good Luck

Sam had his fundo this summer. It has been a long journey, but it was something we had to do. He no longer vomits and seems happier. He is 100% tube fed at this time due to swallowing issues (Sam has a little more going on in addition to his reflux--?neuro problems) His recovery was a bit slow, mainly because of his other "issues", but overall it went well. Sam just had a scope last week and it went well--they know him well now and know just the proper sedation that works for him. We were home 2 hours after the scope.
Sorry I can not give advice about going back to school--Sam is 11 months.

Over all it was the right decision for Sam and I have no regrets--So far Sam has not had any terrible side effects from the fundo.

It is a huge decision, it is like choosing one evil for another. Especially if your child plans on being fed by mouth at anytime during their life :)

Our son has done really well with it. He has difficulty eating (less and less as time passes) but is healthy now because of it. It will take your child a good 6 weeks to start feeling good about the surgery. I am not sure about going back to school, it depends on the child.

Let us know of any and all Qs you have. We would love to help you.

Hello, My son Noah is 6 years old now and had his 4th fundo preformed 9 months ago. Being older it does go a little smoother as they are better able to explain to you what is going on. As for pro's & con's....I will always stick to my belief it is trading one evil for a different kind of evil. It is a damn hard decision to make and it really needs to be made and researched by your Dr.s the surgeons, your fmaily, as this surgery is not reversable and once it is done you can't go back. That being said there are major +'s from the surgery like, protecting the airway. I do wish your daughter and your family the best with your descion it can be a very hard one.

I do know that this surgery is a very difficult decision to make. Three of my four children have had to have fundos done. It was a difficult decison for us to make but we know that we had no other choice. I am sorry but dont remember all your dd's problems. I was wondering what her difficulties are due to the reflux?

If you have done everyhting possible and there are no other options than you know that you are doing the right thing. The fundo can be a life saver for some children. As I read your post it brings back so many memories. I will tell you that each child responds differently to the surgery. I can tell you that it took a long time for my kids to eat most foods. Today my kids can eat chicken nuggets and hot dogs so dont worry about that now. It may take some time but these kids can eat at their own pace. I do wish you luck and hope that all works out well.


Melanie

Oh, yes, I should probably say too that Eli is eating Chicken nuggets and hotdogs and he is 10 months post op.:-D