Hi, all,
I had my LINX surgery and hiatal hernia repair on April 12, so I'm only two weeks out. Prior to the surgery, I dealt with acid reflux for years, then 15(?) years ago started treating it with Aciphex. After 8 years of taking Aciphex, I ended up with an osteoporosis diagnosis at a fairly early age (the PPIs suppress vitamin D). I stopped the Aciphex and have been on famotidine since then, although the max dose only does a half-*** job of quelling my heartburn. I was still going through bottles of Tums as if they were candy.
On top of the reflux, I developed globus about
14 years ago. As uncomfortable as reflux is, the globus sensation (like someone has their hands around my throat and pressing their thumbs into my windpipe) is worse.
The LINX is certainly taking care of the heartburn; it's pretty much vanished despite stopping all meds. I had Maalox once in the first week and nothing since. However, I'm sad to say that I'm still dealing with the globus. My gastro guy thought it would clear up with the LINX, but it hasn't yet. :-P Maybe my throat will heal up eventually so that goes away.
As for recovery, I agree with a number of others that the shoulder pain from the gas was excruciating. I could barely breathe right after surgery. It still hurt four days after surgery, so I ended up going to my acupuncturist. The needles eased the pain during the session, then it came back as I drove home. But the acupuncture must have done something because by the next day the pain was gone.
For me, the naso-gastric tube was horrid. Did anyone else who spent the night have that? I also had a catheter, but that was painless. But the NG tube made my throat feel like it was being lacerated. I was so grateful to get the tube out until the next morning. I finally got a chance to eat then. But it took a few days for my throat to heal and stop hurting.
The constipation has also been an issue. I've always had "reluctant bowels" and they're certainly taking their own sweet time getting back to normal. :-(
I've been careful what I eat, chewing like crazy and taking my time. Managing to eat every 1-2 hours which was what my surgeon directed me to do. My only problem with swallowing (so far at least) has been with cold. I treated myself to a chocolate shake, but unlike ice cream that I roll around in my mouth until it melts (and warms), I drank the shake too fast. A few of the swallows sat there for maybe 30 seconds or so until finally things
opened up. I had a similar problem drinking cold water, particularly when taking my vitamins. Which makes me sad, cuz I like drinking water loaded with ice. Instead, I'm drinking lukewarm water.
But food has gone down well. I started with strictly soft, then went on to stuff that I genuinely have to chew. We put cooked ground turkey into the food processor to break into small morsels, then mixed it with gravy to have over mashed potatoes. Pretty yummy. I moved on to poached fish (softer) and later smoked salmon (my wonderful hubby has two smokers and knows how to use them). Meatloaf (cut into tiny bites) has worked well too. I haven't tried chicken yet, but I'm thinking the canned stuff made up into chicken salad would work. No bread yet other than crackers.
So, no real problems with swallowing (yes, that could still be ahead of me), although lots of gas and urping (I've always been burpy and farty), and still dealing with that darn globus. Two weeks out I'm back to riding my horse and plan to start back at the gym with slightly lower weights. I use machines; I'm not going to deadlift 100 pounds.
High point of all this was at the followup meeting with my surgeon. He said "Everyone (doctors, etc) was really impressed with how fit you are." Pretty good for a 63-year-old grandma.
This is a great forum. I'm glad I found it.