Vagotomy Treatment in India

Sarah Nair, a 42-year-old high school...

Sarah Nair, a 42-year-old high school biology teacher and mother of two, had battled severe peptic ulcer disease for over a decade. Her life was dictated by a gnawing, burning epigastric pain that woke her at night and forced her to eat small, bland meals. Despite maximal medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics for H. pylori, her ulcers recurred, leading to two frightening episodes of melena. Her gastroenterologist, Dr. Chen, explained that her stomach was producing excessive acid due to overactive vagus nerve signals. He recommended a truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty to surgically cut the main vagus nerve trunks, reducing acid secretion and preventing future ulcers. Sarah was terrified of surgery but exhausted by the constant pain and fear of bleeding. The laparoscopic procedure went smoothly. The initial recovery was challenging, with some early fullness and diarrhea as her stomach adapted. However, within three months, with dietary adjustments, these side effects stabilized. The relentless ulcer pain was gone. Sarah felt a profound relief and regained a sense of control over her life. She could enjoy family meals again and sleep through the night, her emotional state shifting from chronic anxiety to cautious optimism and gratitude for her newfound freedom from pain.