Guest guest Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Glad you are doing better. My HM was on April 18th. I still have some small spasms. But no compair to before. Yes I agree the HM is wonderful and I highly recommend it.  Suzanne From: Leda Mae <leda444@...> Subject: Post HM report " achalasia " <achalasia > Date: Tuesday, June 5, 2012, 2:38 PM  Hi Everyone, Happy to report that I FINALLY had my HM on April 24th - what a life-changing experience!  I put it off for years, fearing that it would increase my spasms. When I met with the surgeon though, he assured me that done correctly (cut high enough and low enough onto the stomach) that the spasms would not even continue. It was a little bit of a rocky start - perforated in surgery from scarring due to prior botox injections - total of four days without even a drop of water waiting to pass the swallow test. Then had daily spasms for about two weeks (although not nearly as intense as before). As the doc said, things have settled down - no spasms at all and drinking and eating anything I want with no problems. Even getting back into a workout routine. If anyone is contemplating this procedure and suffering every day as I did for years, I highly encourage you to seek out a qualified surgeon (has successfully performed HMs) and get it done. When I think of the years spent dreading a meal, always looking for an " out " as in a restroom, carrying around dog poop bags, losing weight, no energy, no social life, etc....I wish I had done this sooner. Not to mention the horrendously painful spasms that many of us endure. Happy to talk with anyone that has questions - and if you live anywhere near Atlanta, Dan at Emory is the Chief of Thoracic Surgery and has done over 400 HMs.  He did " push " me to eat more normally as I could and to start light exercise - somewhat different than what I've read others write about. It worked for me. Take care, Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Oh Congrats Kim,  I can hear the happiness in your voice!!!! Yes it is amazing, the same thing happened to me, after surgery it was like a new lease on life after suffering for WAY too long!!! I wish you all the best. A good surgeon is so important...so is the procedure and the " cut " must be done long enough and correctly for it to do it's magic....Glad u had one of the best. Take it slow....remember that gravity is still what counts for us....small bites and chew, chew well!!!!      Julee (from Oregon). ________________________________ From: Leda Mae <leda444@...> " achalasia " <achalasia > Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 11:38 AM Subject: Post HM report  Hi Everyone, Happy to report that I FINALLY had my HM on April 24th - what a life-changing experience!  I put it off for years, fearing that it would increase my spasms. When I met with the surgeon though, he assured me that done correctly (cut high enough and low enough onto the stomach) that the spasms would not even continue. It was a little bit of a rocky start - perforated in surgery from scarring due to prior botox injections - total of four days without even a drop of water waiting to pass the swallow test. Then had daily spasms for about two weeks (although not nearly as intense as before). As the doc said, things have settled down - no spasms at all and drinking and eating anything I want with no problems. Even getting back into a workout routine. If anyone is contemplating this procedure and suffering every day as I did for years, I highly encourage you to seek out a qualified surgeon (has successfully performed HMs) and get it done. When I think of the years spent dreading a meal, always looking for an " out " as in a restroom, carrying around dog poop bags, losing weight, no energy, no social life, etc....I wish I had done this sooner. Not to mention the horrendously painful spasms that many of us endure. Happy to talk with anyone that has questions - and if you live anywhere near Atlanta, Dan at Emory is the Chief of Thoracic Surgery and has done over 400 HMs.  He did " push " me to eat more normally as I could and to start light exercise - somewhat different than what I've read others write about. It worked for me. Take care, Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 Congratulations on your HM Kim! Dr. Dan also performed mine back in 2008. I found it interesting that when I asked him about follow up visits, he just said - None, go live your life. I've gone back to as normal an existence as can be expected - I just have to watch how much I take in on one bite, especially with meats and breads. I hope you have as good an experience as I have had. Lee in Santa Barbara (formerly from Atlanta) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2012 Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 Sorry I am so behind in my emails but I am happy to hear you are doing so well. I hope I have the same results as you do as I am having my HM on July 11th.  Kim A ________________________________ From: Leda Mae <leda444@...> " achalasia " <achalasia > Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 12:38 PM Subject: Post HM report  Hi Everyone, Happy to report that I FINALLY had my HM on April 24th - what a life-changing experience!  I put it off for years, fearing that it would increase my spasms. When I met with the surgeon though, he assured me that done correctly (cut high enough and low enough onto the stomach) that the spasms would not even continue. It was a little bit of a rocky start - perforated in surgery from scarring due to prior botox injections - total of four days without even a drop of water waiting to pass the swallow test. Then had daily spasms for about two weeks (although not nearly as intense as before). As the doc said, things have settled down - no spasms at all and drinking and eating anything I want with no problems. Even getting back into a workout routine. If anyone is contemplating this procedure and suffering every day as I did for years, I highly encourage you to seek out a qualified surgeon (has successfully performed HMs) and get it done. When I think of the years spent dreading a meal, always looking for an " out " as in a restroom, carrying around dog poop bags, losing weight, no energy, no social life, etc....I wish I had done this sooner. Not to mention the horrendously painful spasms that many of us endure. Happy to talk with anyone that has questions - and if you live anywhere near Atlanta, Dan at Emory is the Chief of Thoracic Surgery and has done over 400 HMs.  He did " push " me to eat more normally as I could and to start light exercise - somewhat different than what I've read others write about. It worked for me. Take care, Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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