We found out today that Eric will require surgery for his reflux. In addition to the G-Tube, he will need to have another procedure called a nissan procedure (full wrap) as he has a severe case of GERDs. To read more about that see http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/T106004.asp. The basics behind this surgery is they take part of his stomach and tie it around (wrap it around) the lower part of his esophagus to prevent a baby or person from burping and vomiting. The G-tube becomes necessary as it is the only way to burp a baby or for a baby to vomit. This will help with Eric being able to eat and more importantly, keep his food down.

The procedure is considered a major medical surgery, with some significant risks, especially for babies. The upshot is that it should allow Eric to gain weight again and grow up, and has over a 94% success rate at curing GERDs. At this point, Eric requires this surgery if he is to have a chance to grow up and gain weight. The medicine side is not working and will not heal the muscles involved. Generally babies grow out of GERDs after a few years, which is why surgery is generally considered a last resort. While Eric is tolerating the latest anti-acid medication, it does not stop reflux. Another medication is helping with the reflux, but apparently it is not enough, so surgery is our only option.

We will be talking with the surgeon more on Monday and will find out when the surgeries will take place and more about the surgery then. They will try do all the surgeries laproscopically, as this reduces complications and recovery time. Given Eric's past historical problems with anesthetics, this makes a prolonged procedure more risky and more scary. Again, we will know more when we speak with the surgeon who is likely to do the procedures. The doctor we will be talking with is the same one who did Eric's double hernia operation in August and is very, very good. She is tentatively the doctor who will be scheduled to do the procedure next week. Eric will most likely have to remain in the hospital for 4 or 5 more days after the procedure is done to make sure he is gaining weight and recovering. This will most likely mean that Eric will not be coming home until at least the 2nd week of March from hospital and that he will have spent a month in the hospital or so.

Thanks for everyone who has given us their prayers and support! We are hopeful that this is the last operation that Eric will need.