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Having the Nissen Fundoplication this Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Part 1 of 2

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Posted 11/25/2011 12:20 PM (GMT -7)
Gradually...it's not an overnight fix, but once peak swelling is reached, things will start getting better.  You're almost there! turn
Posted 11/25/2011 4:44 PM (GMT -7)
I'm glad I've heard about this peak swelling point at 14 days on here. My surgeon mentioned nothing about this. Since I'm just day 3, now I know if I have any setbacks to not get concerned, just give it time.

Tony
Posted 11/25/2011 5:46 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Tony,

It never fails to amaze me how little surgeons prepare their patients for their recovery.  I don't think they really know what happens, and apparently don't bother to educate themselves.

Glad you're prepared!

Denise

Posted 11/25/2011 9:16 PM (GMT -7)
This thread has been a great read for me. Quite a bit of consensus on the limitations / irritations in the early going. I had mine done Nov. 22nd (noticed there's another Tony who had it done on the same day) and find it tough with swallowing even liquids at this point, but this will all be a short moment in time when we look back in a few weeks / months from now.

I only took the anti-inflammatory and pain meds for 2 days since the pain is bearable overall; however I did notice some brief heartburn type feeling over the last couple of days, which freaked me out initially, but was put at ease with some info from this thread. I've gone into a couple of coughing fits over the last couple of days and trust it's not gerd related.

I refuse to go back on Nexium after using it for 7 years since I believe it has caused me quite a bit of harm with arthritis type symptoms and intermittent anemia, so I will tough it out over the next few weeks and not mention anything to my surgeon until I see him in 3 weeks. I honestly believe these PPIs are extremely bad over the long term since a 41 year old in good health should not have these issues.

Best to all who are in the same position.

Tony
Posted 11/25/2011 10:51 PM (GMT -7)
I was laughing very hard earlier, and the middle of my stomach HURT!!! Like hiccupping (which hurts at 8 days post op), can laughing really hard damage the wrap? It actually hurts more than hiccupping or sneezing or coughing.
Posted 11/26/2011 5:58 AM (GMT -7)

Dave234 said...
I was laughing very hard earlier, and the middle of my stomach HURT!!! Like hiccupping (which hurts at 8 days post op), can laughing really hard damage the wrap? It actually hurts more than hiccupping or sneezing or coughing.

My surgeon told me there is very little you can do to damage the wrap, includig various movements. He did mention that being overzealous with the consistency of foods is what you need to be really careful with during the first 2-3 weeks.

Laughing can be tough though...I've found that especially true in the belly button area (biggest incision). You can't be any worse off than I was, I had been home for 2 hours on Wednesday and my 8 yr old accidentally bumped his head into my abdominal area...ouch.

I gave my gut a good workout laughing the other day when I went onto Yahoo and saw the article "bad paid for photos"...search at your own risk!
Posted 11/26/2011 8:01 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Dave,

I agree with badbrewin's advice that you don't have to worry that a big belly laugh will damage your wrap.  While I was healing I had asthma and a severe lung infection, and I coughed hard a lot.  Still, nothing happened to my wrap. 

Laugh away!

Denise

PS--try ice for incisions or places in your belly that hurt. turn

Posted 11/26/2011 8:36 AM (GMT -7)
"My surgeon told me there is very little you can do to damage the wrap, includig various movements. He did mention that being overzealous with the consistency of foods is what you need to be really careful with during the first 2-3 weeks."

BadBrewin, what do you mean by "being overzealous with the consistency of foods"?

Do you mean that I should not eat very much?
Posted 11/26/2011 8:49 AM (GMT -7)
Dave,
He meant that we shouldn't take too much initiative in going from mainly liquid to overly solid in the early going or within a short period of time. He also said not to be concerned about certain movements, such as getting out of bed, which freaked me out at first since you can feel the incisions pulling and just given the overall tenderness in the abdominal area.

Got my first good night sleep last night as I finally tried sleeping on my right side rather than simply on my back. Still a little nervous about sleeping on the left side given the left rib incision is the one that typically gets a good workover and bled the most in my case. Just curious as to how other people have approached sleep and how soon you began to sleep on your side.

I'm now 4 days post op and just had my first cup of apple sauce...went pretty well. 4 days with no Nexium...sweet.
Posted 11/26/2011 9:01 AM (GMT -7)
Oh, that's cool. I was worried that my having eaten oatmeal (with the bits of oats), and gravy (with tiny, tiny little bits of beef) was damaging the wrap.

I'm now 9 days post op.
Posted 11/26/2011 10:11 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Dave,

It's very individual, and surgeons give different instructions depending on their philosophy.  My surgeon released me at Day 6 to eat whatever I wanted that could be chewed to a liquid. 

The main thing you need to remember is to take small bites and chew, chew, chew.  Until your swelling has decreased, be especially careful.

You'll still want to keep quantities small.  Most have a stomaches that tell them when they're full, but others eat too much with no clue it's too much until they are suffering greatly.

Happy Eating!

Densie

Posted 11/26/2011 10:33 AM (GMT -7)
By "suffering greatly" do you mean ruining the wrap, or do you just mean being extremely uncomfortable? Being extremely uncomfortable I can handle, but ruining the wrap I would very much like to avoid.
Posted 11/26/2011 11:30 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Dave,

I just mean bloated and hurting.  The wrap isn't ruined.  It really doesn't take much food to get things going at your stage of the game.  Just eat small amounts all day long.  Our general habit of three meals a day doesn't work during this recovery.  Your stomach prefers small amounts, so the get the nutrition you need, you'll have to eat more often.

Everyone shares the worries you have when they're recovering from a Nissen surgery.  You're not alone!  Still, the wrap is tougher than you might think.

I'm beginning to recover from a bad stomach bug that was passed around our family during the past week.  I threw up (something to avoid, for sure) before I could get any anti-nausea drugs into me.  Still, although it's considered very dangerous to vomit (some can't after surgery) I don't notice a bit of difference in the way my wrap is working. Thankfully....Our wraps are much sturdier that they seem.  This is my second experience with vomiting since my surgery.  I didn't know if I could...

That said, I recommend avoiding vomiting (or retching), and having anti-nausea meds at hand all the time.  I carry them with me wherever I go.  Sometimes, though, the nausea creeps up on us!

You're worrying a lot...stop!  Just relax and enjoy the ride... turn you'll gradually be able to eat more, and your comfort level will grow.

Have a great weekend!

Denise

 

Posted 11/26/2011 6:36 PM (GMT -7)
Hi all, I'm new! I just found out I'm probably on my way to needing a Nissen Fundoplication in the coming couple of months. In 2 days I'm having my final test which should make the determination: 24 hour ph impedance monitoring. I started a blog last year to document my GI problems but have decided I'm going to document things more thoroughly moving forward. You can find it at what-the-gi.blogspot.com.
Some background: I'm 35, female, reflux since high school that I can recall, Barrett's diagnosed 2009, hx of eating disorder (anorexia), IBS, GERD that is barely controlled by a high dose of an rx med, weak esophagus and extremely weak LES. I throw up about twice a week. I gag more frequently. I'm going to have a TON of questions once I commit to the surgery I'm sure but for now I'm enjoying reading the experiences of others. I'm hoping my blog will eventually be helpful to those looking for a personal experience.
Posted 11/26/2011 7:39 PM (GMT -7)
Hi galbsygirl,

Welcome to Healing Well!  Glad you've joined us.  There are many here who've had Nissens, so you're in the right place!  I have a suggestion...why not start a new thread to chronicle your experiences here on the forum.  Just go to the main page and click the Post New Topic button at the top of the page...Here's the link:GERD - Heartburn

I tried to view your blog, but couldn't find it.  Sounds interesting!

Again, glad you've joined the group!

Take care,

Denise

Posted 11/26/2011 7:50 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks! I have found that chronicling things on a blog is easier for me. (I did it when I went through adult orthodontics and jaw surgery a few years ago.) A lot of people found my blog that way and claimed it really helped them! I checked my blog and it's public so the link http://what-the-gi.blogspot.com/ should work fine. I will definitely be posting here as well though. Looking forward to getting to know you all more. :)
Posted 11/27/2011 7:04 AM (GMT -7)
galbsygirl - That's exactly what I did for nearly 2 years before deciding on the Nissen (had mine last Tuesday), I scoured through websites, read the stories of others and asked my doc tons of questions before deciding on the surgery. The positives outweighed the few negatives, so it was a no brainer for me and pretty pleased thus far.

If this is what you really need, then you won't regret it. The post op discomfort for me was near negligible and I really didn't want to lose any additional weight following surgery, but the fun part will be putting it back on later. :-)
Posted 11/27/2011 12:07 PM (GMT -7)
Thank you for the warm welcome. :)

It's strange -- I only saw my GI in the middle of November when she suddenly said, "What are your feelings about surgery?" I was caught a little off guard. I mean, I didn't know things were quite THAT bad. But I'm all for it. And hey, I'll take that weight loss -- sounds good to me! Hah.

Tomorrow's the ph test. I'm not looking forward to having a tube taped to my face all day. :(
Posted 11/27/2011 12:28 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Dave!
My I ask who your surgeon is? I live in Maryland and am trying to find a good surgeon to consukt with on this procedure.

Thanks
Posted 11/27/2011 12:58 PM (GMT -7)
Thersa25, I saw Dr. Kevin Gillian.   I recommend him.

It's too early to say for sure how well my procedure did, but I have a strong feeling the results will be very good (I am only 10 days post op, where the swelling is 4 days from being at peak swelling, but I'm feeling better and better).

He was recommended to me by my GI doctor (who was against the surgery -- but the fact that he actually recommended this surgeon says a lot).

He has apparently performs this procedure about 100 times per year, and he fixes other doctors' mistakes.

He also makes sure to not cut the vagus nerve when doing the procedure.

Posted 11/29/2011 5:26 AM (GMT -7)
He just gave me approval to eat whatever I want. Just to make sure I chew very well.
Posted 11/29/2011 7:36 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Dave,

You'll do fine.  That was my surgeon's philosophy as well. You may have an occasional error (I don't remember when, but sometime past the very early stages I was eating at a restaurant and ate a cherry tomato the old way and swallowed before it was completely chewed...it got stuck.  After some time drinking iced water...not a good plan...and some spasms, it went down.  I don't think cherry tomatoes should ever be on the diet of our wrapped within the first 3 or 4 months!  Too easy to make a mistake.  Once I'd had that experience I began to order hot tea at meals out.  There's nothing like a warm drink to calm down that esophagus.) 

Have you tried beef, carrot, onion, and potato cooked in a slow cooker for hours?  It gets nice and soft and very tasty.  Anything you eat should be cooked until it is soft generally.  The slow cooker is a great tool.

Happy eating!

Denise

Posted 12/3/2011 8:58 AM (GMT -7)
I'm on day 15 and it is pretty difficult to swallow. Is this because of the swelling?
Posted 12/3/2011 4:32 PM (GMT -7)
I also feel nauseous.
Posted 12/3/2011 6:12 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Dave,

ABSOLUTELY!  You are at peak swelling right now...on the bright side this milestone brings you closer to healing.  My surgeon warned me that my swallowing would get worse over the first two weeks, and would peak at about 14 days or so.  Hang in there...you'll feel better as the swelling gradually decreases.

Do you have any anti-nausea meds on hand?  Just be careful what you put into your stomach during this difficult "roadblock".  Soon you'll begin to feel better.

Best wishes,

Denise

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