Dr. Jossart,

I have had two trachea reconstructions due to damage sustained by aspirating acid which was caused by my severe gastric reflux. My esophagus is still in good shape but my trachea can't take much more. I am capable of intubation at this point so no worries there. My trachea doc has suggested I have the Nissen Procedure but after researching it and all the other stomach surgeries available on this planet I am thinking the VSG might be a good viable alternative for me. I am currently on 2 nexium, 2 40mg pepcid and 6 reglan a day to control my reflux. I have read that some folks have to take a pepcid or nexium a day to control their reflux after the VSG surgery. I would bless the chance to go for 10 pills a day to 1. I would like your opinion on whether you think VSG is a viable alternative to Nissen since I am definitely not interested in that procedure.

Thanks,

Robin Beasley

The operation is a Nissen Fundoplication. Severe reflux and the presence of a hiatal hernia may be a reason to avoid a VSG. If a combined VSG and hiatal hernia repair is done, it may work quite well but the rescue operation for persistent aspiration would then be the Roux en Y gastric bypass.

Thanks for the reply. I do not have a hernia so no issues there and the bypass is just too radical of an idea for me. I want to keep as many of my body parts working as possible. lol Thanks for the info. I am meeting with a local surgeon next month to discuss all of this with him.