Pharangyl Pouch Repair

[trixilator]

After postponement of this procedure, I have now been pre-assessed ready for EXTERNAL
surgery. Internal stapling, I am told, is not an option.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has this done - I understand it is considered to be
major surgery requiring two weeks recovery in hospital.

[Mamyalynne]

Sqad is your man for this, hope he pops in.

Even with some trepidation you must be thrilled that the wait is almost over, you'll feel so much better afterwards.

[trixilator]

.....should have mentioned I am 88 years old...

[KARL]

10-15 years ago I went to my GP practice and explained my experience of food coming back up (smallish traces) and was given reflux tablets, which struck me as rather inappropriate. Unsurprisingly I completed the course with no change at all and was sent to ENT where the specialist told me my uvula was "too long" and getting in the way, didn't recommend anything be done about it. I went away thinking the diagnosis was rather ridiculous. 3-4 years later I came to my own conclusion and back at the practice asked a direct question and, yes, very possible said the man and it's called pharyngeal pouch.

I was sent back to ENT where they did the barium meal test and X-ray to check for both reflux and pouch - no reflux, but sure there was a pouch. I saw the same specialist again who I thought looked rather sheepish (I had told my GP what I thought of his diagnosis - the two seemingly know each other well, oops but not really). I was now offered either stapling or full operation. I declined both saying I prefer to steer clear of the medics and by now I had developed a way to empty the pouch at will.

A good friend of mine had the stapling done which soon failed (15% return rate said the man I saw) so he was taken in for the full operation. To my knowledge he has now been fine on that score. His main comment at the time was the business of the understandable post-operation restrictions on eating and drinking which he found quite difficult.

[Mamyalynne]

I'm sure they have taken the decision not to do the stapling based on your history and presentation Trix, and of course taken your age into account.

Ask as many questions of them as you want, they are there to explain and quell any fears you may have.

[Sqad]

No, I haven't had treatment for a pharyngeal,pouch and no, it is not major surgery for someone who knows what he or she is doing. The main danger is to a nerve called the recurrent laryngeal nerve which if damaged could affect your voice and once again this nerve would be avoided by someone who knows what he or she is doing.
No big deal
I .liked the answer of KARL above.............make sure that your life is compromised enough to subject yourself to an operation.