Reflux Surgery Side Effects: Nissen Fundoplication

Common side effects that often occur after a Nissen fundoplication, especially in the early few months, which are often found to be disagreeable, is the inability to belch, and many will not be able to vomit. This then results in the unfortunate side effect of having increased flatulence with the passage of increased intestinal gas.

The good news about these side effects is that over a period of time, as the Nissen fundoplication site loosens up and becomes more pliable, those problems tend to attenuate, or become less of a problem for people over time. They should never be regarded as a reason not to do the procedure, especially in those patients with refractory reflux disease and a large hiatal hernia.