First off, good luck!
My DR had me in the ICU for 3 days, no food, IV only. 10 days after, liquids only, 3 weeks after that I was given a soft food diet to follow.
Ask for liquid pain medicine and also anti-nausea medication. Don't be surprised if your left shoulder and arm have terrible pain as this is common due to the swelling. Should last 2-3 weeks.
Do not lift! I was told I had a 5 lb. maximum for 6 months. No exercise either, pool only if you can.
When you start to eat again, small bites and chew it to a liquid other wise it can get stuck which is painful.
Constipation can occur also. Beware of the gas that will come also, some of us on this forum joke about it as it's really nasty. You will want to have GAS X in your house also because when you start to eat normal again you can bloat up and have terrible pain in your stomach.
The first few months you may feel terrible but it does get better. I feel really good as of today and looking back, I didn't think I would ever feel normal again.
Keep us posted!!!
Nissen Fundaplication 3/1/2010 (full wrap)
Hiatal Hernia 3/1/2010
Thyroid Removal 1990