The Teesside Reflux Clinic

Patient testimonials

Keyhole fundoplication and hiatus hernia repair with Mr Viswanath

You probably don't hear from many patients over a year post surgery. I had a keyhole fundoplication and hiatus hernia repair with Mr Viswanath in May 2015. Prior to surgery I was taking 10 tablets a day, and they were not even close to controlling my severe reflux symptoms. If you discount the dietary aspect of recovery, my recuperation was short and easy. The dietary aspect was a long haul however. As a personal trainer I normally consume a lot of calories, and getting enough calories from a liquid diet was very difficult. Added to this were the weeks and months of learning to eat solid food again. Honestly, I thought I would never get back to normal, and that the symptoms would persist, and it would all have been for nothing. Now, over a year later, it has completely changed my life! I am totally drug free and more importantly I am symptom free from something that had affected my quality of life 24-7 for years. I can now eat and drink normally, eat things I couldn't before because they made me sick or gave me heartburn, and I rarely have an issue. I maybe get a mild bout of heartburn lasting a half hour, every 3 months that I don't even need to take a Rennie for. Yes, the first 3 months feel never ending, but it is a small price to pay for a drug and symptom free life. It has made such a dramatic improvement to my quality of life. I can even hang upside down in aerial yoga, without losing my last meal! Thank you very much to Mr Viswanath and his team - True professionals. I would highly recommend having this procedure to anyone suffering the misery of constant acid reflux symptoms.

Procedure – Laparoscopic repair of Hiatus Hernia with anti-reflux procedure (fundoplication)

In August 2014 I underwent Nissen Fundoplication surgery at the Nuffield Health Tees Hospital. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my surgeon, Mr Viswanath and all of the staff at the hospital for their help and support throughout this time. Prior to my surgery I had consultations with Mr Viswanath and I was very nervous, in fact I was very anxious and frightened. As a trained nurse my mind was doing overtime! Mr Viswanath was very reassuring and kind. After the surgery I could not believe how well I felt and have been since! I can honestly say it has changed my life. I now take no medication and have a better quality of life. I truly believe that Mr Viswanath is one of the best surgeons as he is very efficient and kind. I would definitely recommend Mr Viswanath and the Nuffield Health Tees Hospital.

Restech pH diagnostic study followed by Stretta therapy for GORD (Acid reflux)

I have had problems for 8 years. Coughing initially, shortness of breath and indigestion, which gradually became worse. I also had asthma symptoms 4 years ago which included wheezing, hoarse voice and sinusitis. I saw an ENT physician who thought these symptoms were caused by gastric reflux. In the last 4 years, I have had lung function tests, lung scans, gastroscopies and pH manometry tests, which all proved inconclusive. My symptoms gradually became so bad it was making my life a misery. I was unable to continue with hobbies such as ballroom dancing and I was so breathless that walking the dog was becoming a problem too. My symptoms got that bad that I was wheezing just going upstairs! I was prescribed steroids and inhalers for the breathlessness and wheezing. I had also been taking omeprazole for many of these years and when I had to stop taking this prior to some procedures I suffered terrible indigestion, heart burn and chest pain. I researched gastric reflux and found an article about Professor Viswanath who performed a procedure called Stretta. I saw my GP about this procedure and he referred me to see Professor Viswanath at Nuffield Health Tees Hospital. My first appointment was in January 2019 where I was advised to have a gastroscopy and a Restech pH study to accurately diagnose my reflux condition. The results showed evidence of significant reflux, I decided to go ahead with the Stretta procedure, which was 6 weeks ago now, and the improvement in my symptoms is unbelievable! I am now sleeping better, not waking up at 5am with terrible regurgitation and choking. My breathing is much improved and I am delighted to be back at ballroom dancing again. I am still coughing but not as much as I was and my voice is not as hoarse which my friends and family have noticed. I cannot thank Professor Viswanath enough; he has given me a new lease of life. Thank you so much.