What is recovery time for heller myotomy? How is the pain afterwards?

April 9, 2012

Hi,This is from Louisiana. This is my second post. (My previous

post was about finding an expert Dr. at Ochsner in New Orleans.)

An update....after going through ALL the tests (endoscopy, barium

swallow, mynometry)...I was diagnosed with " Achalasia with diffuse

esophageal spasms " in February, 2012. I have been through the protocol

" list " of treatments that were " suggested " by several

gastroenterologists:

* E. dialation...lasted 2 days

* Botox injections (I didn't want to do this because of what I read

about the scar tissue difficulties)....I am better after Botox, but not

always. Some of the symptoms come and go after only 2 weeks of the

Botox. The Dr. told me I would be back for another Botox endoscopy in 6

months!

Finally, on my own, I went to a surgeon, Dr. ...also at

Ochsner. He is licensed by the SSAT (?) for specializing in the

laparoscopic heller myotomy. He would NOT have recommended the Botox

because of the scar tissue. Botox does not last very long and you have

to keep getting it 2 or 3 times a year. This would make it more

difficult for him to do the Heller Myotomy (HM). He recommended the HM

as the next course of treatment.

Here's my dilemma; my daughter is getting married on June 8th this

summer - 8 weeks away. I asked the surgeon if I should go for another

Botox to get me through the wedding or do the surgery. He would not

recommend more Botox unless I were not a good candidate for the surgery

- I am 49 years old. I need to know what to expect after the surgery so

I can decide if I am going to do it 5 weeks before the wedding and what

will I be feeling like. I know there is a 2 week clear liquid diet! I

asked the Dr. if I could wait until after the wedding. He said " only if

you don't want to eat at the wedding! " But I'm not worried about the

eating as much as I am about feeling " well " for the wedding.

Please tell me about your experience with the laparoscopic heller

myotomy. Thanks SO much for your help.....

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