Well, I think I can do a summary now. Firstly, in short the results of my operation have been fantastic. Here are some bullet points.
As I've said, I can go the night without worrying at all about reflux. If I've had a few drinks, I can once more drink a glass of water without any problems later - so I'm not getting hangovers any more.
I can eat all the things that I couldn't before: onion, any spicy food (e.g. curry), orange juice, any sort of alcoholic drink, oily/fatty food (bacon, sausages)... the list of stuff I can eat again is huge.
I never have to take antacids - e.g. Rennie, Gaviscon or my prescribed Pantolprazole (or its predecessor, Pariet). Not once in 10 weeks.
I can bend over, stretch and so on without worrying about reflux.
I've lost a bit of weight - I need a new hole in my belt - but I don't expect it to stay that way.
My stomach capacity is smaller - I went out for a meal last week and couldn't manage all of a burger, although to be fair it was a big one. However, I would not have had a problem before.
My scars are no longer sore, but occasionally I get a twinge from them. I guess there's still underlying scar tissue which I'm sure the doctor said will heal after about a year.
I can burp happily, though not as easily as before - you can no longer call them a belch. But as an added advantage, I've got a cast iron excuse to burp loudly whenever necessary!
All in all: a success. On the Internet, I've read a few disaster stories of Nissen Fundoplication results. Mine are just about perfect. My life has changed. OK, I wasn't crippled by my problems, but they had severely cramped my lifestyle, and now I'm normal and average for my age. And my relationship with my partner T has to have been improved - no more worrying about what I eat and what we can do. And I'm saving loads of money of antacids and prescription medicine (anyone want a nearly full bottle of Gaviscon?)
If you are suffering my symptoms - acid reflux, interrupted sleep, restricted diets, permanent upset stomach - find yourself a surgeon, preferably one experienced in this op, like mine is, and talk to him/her. Consider having this op. I hope - I think - you'll revolutionise your lifestyle.
Good luck.
