Ok, we saw the surgeon at Starship yesterday and he said DS#2 is a good candidate for surgery. I want it done, I really think it will help but it such a big thing and I keep second guessing myself. The surgeon did say they don't do them unless they think they are indicated and that they are a minimalist intervention approach which means they do less than other centres who are happy to do them with less indication.
Do you feel surgery was a good option, are you pleased you did it? Any concerns I should have or do I respect the teams opinion and stop stressing about it so much.
At the moment it looks like he is likely to have the op in Feb so I have time to think about it.
The idea of a child who is not in pain, who sleeps sounds great though.

I'm about to go out but I'll post later.
All three of my boys have had the ops - all with good results in terms of the reflux.

My first was Nicholas when he was 6 3/4. That was Oct '07
Then came Thomas when he was just under 4 yrs. That was Feb '09
Then came William when he was 11 1/2 yrs. That was Dec '09.

So we've been through the op a bit

Logan had his nissen done at age 18 months. Seriously, it was the BEST thing we did for him, this boy was in pain and misery every single day of his life up until his surgery - sure, his pain was controlled with losec and ranitidine but the discomfort of constantly vomiting made him very miserable, it is a rare photo of him where he is smiling. Logan was tube fed due to reflux + other issues and he showed no interest in food, once he had his op he began to try foods, it was another 2yrs before we got him fully eating though.

Now he is 7 1/2, has vomited twice since his surgery, he can burp now, up until 8 months ago he couldn't. I have no regrets about putting him through surgery, his scarring is barely noticeable

Good luck with your decision making, happy to give more info if you want.

Thanks, we have strong family history, I had my Nissen done when I was 21 so I know the surgery but they said it is more likely to fail in kids.

Gem had her first surgery at the age of six years and then had it repaired at the age of nine years. Her tissues are possibly hypermobile so this could account for her reflux, and she also has food allergies and intolerances. She is now 11 years and her surgery is still intact although she still requires large doses of Pantoprazole.

That is the short version. I don't regret the surgery and it has improved her quality of life lots.