Newbie here having a mooch and came across your post, I had my operation last Aug so will try and answer the questions you asked

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What type of HH did you have?
I had Nissen Fundoplication for a 5cm paraesophagael hernia
At what point was surgery deemed potentially beneficial?
I ended up going private as I wasn't taken seriously by NHS or offered surgery
Was your surgery successful?
100% success
How long was the recovery?
I was laid up for 4 days, moved to the sofa on the 5th day and was properly mobile and functioning 2 weeks after surgery, the hardest part was the very strict food regime before and after surgery.
I hope this answers all your questions, I'm really pleased I got it done and would do it again rather than go back to pumping myself with medication, watching what I ate and vomiting in my sleep.
And by the way I can eat and drink anything I want now, even chocolate
