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Part 3 of POST OP LAP NISSEN...Please continue to post!!!

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 2/11/2008 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
I'm thinking that I have had it easy. I've been able to eat a lot of things. I just make sure I chew it to mush. I even had Pita chips and hummus today. I've been feeling pretty good. No chills, no spasms, no real pain. The only pain I have is from COUGHING! I'm so tired of having bronchitis. I've even been well enough to finally hug and squeeze my daughter! YEAH ME! It felt SO good to squeeze her! I've been drinking water, juice, tea, and even coffee. NO REFLUX. It's amazing! I mean, I can drink water before bed, lay down, and nothing....it's SO weird!
Posted 2/12/2008 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
Okay, I went back to work for 1/2 day and survived. Came home and took a great nap though. Tomorrow's a full day, ugh. I feel much better than I did 2 days ago, must have been the meds working their way out of my system and me just freaking out about something since I could. I too am anxiety prone. What bothered me the most at work was probably where my pants rubbed against a couple of my incisions and made them itchy. Tomorrow I'll cover them with bandaids or something. Most of the time I was at home I wore those comfy fleece pj bottoms.

When I went for my follow up my doc told me I was ahead of most people on the eating schedule, that I was able to tolerate and swallow more solid type foods than most. I also didn't have the weight loss that most have, probably because I was able to keep my calories up right after surgery....I was sooo hungry all the time so I ended up drinking a lot o high calorie things, which I normally stay away from.
Posted 2/12/2008 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
I am glad to see that this topic is still going strong, and that everyone is offering so much support here on this! doghouse, I am glad to hear that overall you seem to be doing great! Keep up the sharing everyone! This is great!
Posted 2/12/2008 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
You may have better luck using bandaids than I did. I ended up wearing a silk camisole tucked into my pants to keep scratchy materials off the incisions. They stayed sensitive for a long time.
Posted 2/12/2008 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Today I had a knew experience.....I woke up nauseas, not cool. (No I'm not pregnant) Thoughts on avoiding this one because I ended up not going to work and taking phenergan. Normally, prior to this procedure if I felt nauseas I would sip on a coke and I would feel better so I'm wondering if it's this same kind of thing...air trapped in my stomach.

What do you guys think??
Posted 2/13/2008 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
hmm, not sure. I'd never had any nausea problems prior to surgery, but have gotten a little bit queazy a few times since. I'm still having trouble eating solids. I still have not had my followup. I'll be going in on tuesday the 19th, 4 weeks and one day after surgery, so I'm curious how the doc will say I am progressing.
Posted 2/13/2008 6:06 AM (GMT 0)

I haven't been on the gerd board for a while and thought I'd chime in and give my two cents worth!!!

Doghouse and Alycarr00:  I am so glad to hear you made it through this surgery.  This forum is very helpful and supportive and you will be able to compare notes as HappilyWrapped and I did.  I will be 4 months post-op on the 17th of Feb.  I must say that even after 4 months post op I still get nausea from time to time.  Sometimes, I can wake up around 3 or 4 am with sour stomach and on occasion still take my nausea pill.  I can pretty much eat what ever I want (even the foods considered gerd triggers) but I still eat small portions.  I think someone had asked about diarrhea, but that wasn't a problem for me but constipation was.  The problem has improved because I eat a high fiber cereal for breakfast.  I still can't drink lots of water like I used to because I get too full.  Oh yeah, I almost forgot (expect lots of gas) Thank God I am not looking for love right now as it would be so embarrassing and the poor guy wouldn't want to stick around (my husband doesn't have a choice ;-)).

Doghouse:  I think you had mentioned the brainfog.  Unfortunately, this is something I still have.  I don't know if this is because I had two surgeries pretty much back to back.  For example, writing always came about very effortlessly for me but now I really have to focus and get distracted very easily.  I don't know if this will get better with time.  I am still not working but eventually I might start to substitute teach.  Hopefully, in the fall I will be able to go back to teaching.  I think this is so because I have noticed an improvement in being able to deal with my teenage daughter's shenanigans.  Before, she would put me in a frenzy with her drama queen teenager stuff and having to deal with my post-op recovery was pretty tough.  In other words, the indicator for me on being able to handle a bunch of teenagers is how well I can deal with the one I have at home and like I said it has slowly been improving. 

HappilyWrapped:  I was wondering if you still have that funky throat/chest pressure feeling?  That feeling hasn't gone away and it is quite annoying still.  I had mentioned to you that I went to see an Orthopedic doctor and said I had tendonitis on my shoulder.  I wasn't able to do the therapy because it was causing me slight chest pain and discomfort.  I am so scared to compromise the wrap in any shape or form.  He gave me a cortisone shot on Friday for the inflammation.  Also, are you able to lift heavier objects a little better?  I am still being careful and don't lift anything heavy because I can feel the tug/pull if I do.  I always think I am scared to jeopardize my surgery by doing something dumb because what a nightmare to have to go through this again.  But maybe when all of this is said and done and not fresh in my mind I will have some peace and be able to go on with my life. I have read that some people can take up to a year to fully recover.  Luckily time flies..................   

Posted 2/13/2008 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, Barbara, it's about time you checked in. Don't stay away so long.

YES! I have that funky chest feeling and it has intensified greatly. about 2 weeks ago I went to a new Italian restaurant in town and had 1/2 a calzone. It was way too much food - although I didn't realize it at the time because I didn't feel full at the restaurant. I spent the next week experiencing reflux symptoms. You know, that icky, burning sensation in your throat when you wake up and the constant throat clearing. I'm so worried I stretched the wrap permanently!!!!!! I went back to super small portions and was careful about avoiding GERD triggers. The only problem I have left now is the discomfort in the chest area - that pressure. It's so intense now that I have to remove "over the shoulder boulder holder" as soon as I get into the house. I can't handle the pressure on the chest area in between the "boulders". Purchasing a different garment didn't help because the band rests in that area no matter what style you get. I have found a bit of relief with a heating pad. It makes the area feel better while it's on and it seems to last a while - I use it before bed or when watching TV. Winter's not bad for a heating pad, but I don't see this being a good solution in the summer heat.

I know what you mean about constantly thinking about damaging the wrap. Especially after overeating at the restaurant it's been more of a concern for me. We've got to be careful not to let it become an all-consuming worry. Which could easily happen if we let it. I also can totally relate to our new "windy" condition. My husband teases me constantly.

That gallbladder endoscopic procedure I had scheduled has been postponed 3 times and is now set for 2/28. I'll feel better after they take a look inside and tell me the wrap is OK.

I lift up to about 30 pounds. I'm VERY careful to lift with my legs and use proper body mechanics when lifting anything that heavy. Whenever possible, I get someone else to do the lifting, but sometimes it's just got to be me doing it. Anything more than that and the pulling and discomfort kick in.

You were wise to be concerned over the therapy movements. I did some checking online and was totally surprised to find that some of the exercises I used to do have warning notices on them for people who have had hiatal hernia surgery. I would never have thought that those movements would affect the hiatial hernia area. I'm going to see if I can find someone at the local health facility that can give me guidance on what movements should be avoided in order to keep from stretching or damaging the wrap. If an exercise isn't good for hernia surgery, I'm guessing it won't be good for wraps.

Like you, I've also read that it can take a year to fully recover and I think that makes sense. After all, our stomachs weren't meant to be tied in a knot.

How's your weight and energy level?
Posted 2/14/2008 3:03 AM (GMT 0)

HappilyWrapped:  I am so sorry to hear you had a terrible incident with the Calzone.  I am so scared to over eat but sometimes I know what you mean about thinking you are not as full and maybe another spoonful or more won't make a difference and then I ultimately pay the price for not being careful.  I have gotten to the point that I never eat to get full and sometimes it is sort of uncomfortable because I do miss the days of feeling totally satiated and still do feel hunger.  Did you have to go back and take something for the reflux symptoms?  How scary!!! Luckily, I haven't needed to take anymore heartburn medication but alot times I do feel some discomfort in my chest area.  I have read before that healing from this surgery can feel/mimic like if it is heartburn.  I have worried about ever going back to normal size portions because to me, it only makes sense if we have lots of weight gain in the future and if the stomach really stretches it could eventually loosen the wrap (what do you think?).  The bra hasn't been a problem for me but I don't sleep with one at night.  I do sleep with a heating pad on low but don't know if it really helps me and will definately be a problem in the summer.  I also sleep on an incline still and I think this is because I am used to it and it helps having an adjustable bed.  I just don't know when that chest pain will go away.  What a bummer to always have the anxiety of messing up the wrap.  Wow!!!I can't believe you lift 30 pounds. I am still careful and don't lift anything heavier than 7-8 pounds.   For now, I will just postpone the therapy and hope this tendonitis thing will go away. 

My weight has gotten a little better as has my energy level but I think I am still not 100%, maybe 65%-70%.  I think the lowest I went down to was about 114 and I went last week to get all of the results of my bloodwork/mammogram/bone density.  I weighed in at 123 but I had my clothes/shoes, so maybe give or take a pound or two.  The doctor said my lab work was excellent.  My total cholesterol # was 146, and he said it was wonderful and I said something to the effect like of course it would be good, I don't eat good junky stuff anymore.  Also, my bone density is still in osteopenia (which I thought that for sure I'd already be in osteoporosis) and he was ready to write a prescription for Fosamax and I said no way.  I will never take anything orally for that, so he referred me to a specialist so that I can take the injection form.  I tell you, when it rains it pours as I am not too thrilled about having to start something new.  He went on and on about how serious fractures can be and said he's seen his share of them and definately wants me on something for the osteopenia and that the hormone patch wasn't enough.  You had also mentioned your gallbladder, is this still giving you problems?  Once I had mine removed all was well.  That gallbladder surgery is a piece of cake compared to the nissen/hiatal hernia repair.  I hope you don't have to go back into surgery.  That is good you work with a bunch of GI doctors who can really give you some good advice. 

Posted 2/14/2008 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
Well here I am a day later, my boss told me to stay a home another day....and I feel 150% better. I have no idea what the deal was but today is the best I've felt since my surgery 2 weeks ago, so I'll take that as progress and run with it. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. Probably one of those two steps forward one step back things.

I am totally paranoid about eating too much in one sitting. So now I eat...then wait...then eat some more....then wait. So no, I have not eaten out at a restaurant yet, it's driving my husband nuts. He will be happy when I break down, maybe this weekend.

As for exercises I went over all that with my surgeon because I'm a rock climber and I like to lift weights and run and he said I would be okay with all of that once I was recovered...4-6 weeks out. It could be that I'm female and I'm not into super body building so it's not like I'm lifting mega weights. My sister in law is a fitness trainer and has clients that have had the same surgery and she said they lift weights just fine, granted they aren't the mega body builders either. That was something I put some research into because I wasn't going to exchange my active life for no reflux...if it had been one or the other I would have gone another route.
Posted 2/15/2008 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
Doghouse,

Thanks for the exercise info. That gave me some good ideas to check into. You were athletic to start with. I was a couch potato with a very strong remote control finger. The most exercise I did was gentle yoga stretching which doesn't really provide a heavy workout and some walking.

You'll be fine at the restaurant. Mashed potatoes, soft baked potato without skin, pasta with a cheese sauce, soup, fish are good options. I found drink selections at restaurants harder to handle because iced tea has caffeine, soft drinks have carbonation, and plain tap water is gross. If bottled water isn't available, you might consider carrying a bottle in your purse.



Porcelain Doll,

No, I didn't take anything for the reflux symptoms. I just waited it out and things got better eventually. I've been off meds so long, I didn't want to start up again with getting used to them. The remaining issue is the chest pressure that you have been mentioning all along - it is now more pronounced than it was before.

Congrats on the weight gain! Geez, it's weird to congratulate someone on gaining instead of loosing.
Posted 2/17/2008 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Spasms? Anyone had trouble with little spasms after this procedure when lying down? It's like I can't reflux so my body is acting out some other way when i lay down and I get pressure or spasms right at the wrap site and it keeps me up at night. I don't have trouble when I eat, just when I lie down. Very strange....
Posted 2/18/2008 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
I've had a few esophageal spasms at night. Less and less so as time passes though.
Posted 2/19/2008 2:56 AM (GMT 0)

Outlaw,

Thanks for the kind words.  I'm not sure what the surgeon knew specifically about LPR vs. traditional GERD but from the research I did, nissen is still treatment of choice  when PPI's fail.  Do you know what the mechanism is as to why LPR is harder to control?? or why the nissen alone doesn't work on some people?

I actually had 3 days of no symptoms this weekend (back on 80 mg omeprozole) until I ate some fresh pineapple. So I'm encouraged that the nissen/ppi combo will help me.  I'll just have to be more careful about reflux foods for a couple of months and see how it goes.  Optimally I want to be able to get by on 20 mg.

Posted 2/19/2008 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Argh. Got something stuck at lunch today. Had to go to the bathroom and try to calm down. I wound up mildly wretching 3 or 4 times nothing came up of course, then went home. I took the anti-nausea meds. I think they are starting to work, but my stomach is in knots now. I hope I didnt do any damage. Ironicaly my followup with my surgeon is at 4:45 this afternoon. I should have known to take it easy. Even before I had started to eat, my stomach was a bit tight. I just thought I was hungry.
Posted 2/22/2008 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Porcelain Doll -
If you see this, just wanted to let you know that the chest pressure we've been discussing has totally disappeared. It's been 3 days and not a bit of that funky feeling. I even shoveled the driveway this afternoon and had no indication of that pressure. I hope that it will go away soon for you, too.
Posted 2/23/2008 9:27 AM (GMT 0)
Well I just found out in my doctor apparently told my Mom that it would take approximately two months for my body to become accustomed to this surgery. I guess I am lucky in the sense that I am almost 4 weeks post op and I don't have that funky chest pressure, I used to but it slowly disappeared and now I just feel it once and awhile. I also don't have trouble swallowing most foods. I'd say my biggest issue is with the nausea which I'm starting to wonder if it's related to air because I've certainly been more windy. Oh, and my husband who's ready to climb everest while I'm just happy with being back to work full time :)
Posted 2/24/2008 6:12 AM (GMT 0)
LOL. Well, I had a rough day last tuesday. Got food stuck and was queasy for two days. Funny thing is, since then, I can eat more easily.... The wrap is still working, but I must have knocked things around a little. No reflux and life is continuing to get more and more normal.
Posted 2/25/2008 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hey all!

I can't believe it's been so long since I've been on the site! 

I'm 4 weeks out tomorrow....YEAH.  My bronchitis is GONE!!! WHO HOO!  I never thought I would stop coughing.  I haven't had to take much pain meds, or my phenergan.  Although I have had some pressure behind my sternum and below.  I still can't spend a whole day with a tank top on that has a shelf bra in it...just TOO much pressure on me. Any other females have/had this problem???? I just don't see wearing a bra in my near future! 

I have had some hiccup like activity if I eat too quickly or drink too fast, or heaven forbid swallow too big of a bite  nono !!!

I have had no problems with the food I'm eating, I just eat like a cow, chew chew chew...I drink coffee, tea, the occasional sip of soda from my husbands glass.....Granted I now burp without trying!!! YEAH.  I've been eating maybe 2 meals a day. Like everyone else, it's a small meal. And I snack. I LONG for apples, celery and peanut butter, STEAK, & granola bars......I did have a small salad the other day at California Pizza Kitchen. Granted, it was the chinese chicken salad, which everything in it was chopped VERY fine, I ate very small bites, and chewed chewed chewed. YUMMY. 

I'm still not drinking water like I did, I think it is/was my problem causing my nausea....

I've been picking up my 28lb 3 yr old for about 2 weeks, But I also don't carry her around like she would like. Now, I will tell you, my surgeon said I could......

And  I'm thinking of going back to the gym this week just to ride the bike. OH, and I VACUUMED!!! I was so excited. My living room was such a mess......My vacuum is only 16lbs.....

I'm still not working, only because I work in a physical therapy office, and I'm not about to lift patients or demostrate exercises on the equipment....so we will see. 

I'm going back to the surgeon again this week. Mainly because of the bronchitis. So hopefully he will give me more advise about the next few weeks to come!

Hope everyone is doing well!!!!

 

Posted 2/25/2008 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, had the same problem at 4 weeks with undergarment discomfort. A shelf bra was all I could handle at that time and like you it couldn't stay on all day. At four months, the pressure is gone - PROVIDING I don't wear an underwire. Fortunately, I can go either way and the underwire isn't mandatory. I'm considering having a professional fitting to see if what I think is the proper size really is. Being off a bit on the fit wouldn't have been an issue before the wrap surgery. Guys who have the Nssen are lucky. They don't have to worry about this side-effect.
Posted 2/27/2008 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
I ate onion rings with no reflux....I'm pretty sure that qualifies as a miracle in my life!! I do get the hiccups once in the while, very uncomfortable. Nausea here and there but it doesn't seem as bad as before. I still maintain a mild mostly non exciting diet for the most part, I just feel safer with that. OH, I had an alcoholic drink, that just gave me a stomach ache so no more of that for a while. I am exactly 4 weeks post op today and have been back to work for two weeks.

My new big problem completely and utterly non stomach related....I think I tore a ligament in my wrist and may need surgery on that. I'll find out next week. I think my boss is going to disown me!! I can see it now..."you need more time off?!?!?!" I'll never live it down!! :)
Posted 2/27/2008 4:45 PM (GMT 0)

HappilyWrapped:  How wonderful your chest pain has gone away.  Mine is still with me and doesn't go away.  I sometimes wonder could it be what I eat?  I eat small portions but pretty much eat what ever I want.  It really sounds like you are to your old self with shoveling the drive way.  For myself, things are still the same and taking it one day at a time.  I had mentioned earlier on a post that the gastro doctor gave me Reglan because of the gas/bloat syndrome.  I think my gas problem has gotten worse now than when I first had my surgery.  Again, I might attribute this to eating pretty much everything with no restrictions.  No, I haven't taken the Reglan but I am taking some Gax X and it does seem to help somewhat.  I also know I am eating lots of fiber so that I can go to the bathroom and of course all of that fiber produces gas.  I think the worse thing for me is that darn chest pain that drives me crazy.  I had it pretty much all day yesterday and as I write this post, I can feel that funky pressure we discussed coming thru my throat.  My next appointment with the surgeon isn't until May but if it continues I might make an earlier appointment.  I mentioned it to the gastro doctor and he said it takes time and that if I wanted to make sure everything was in place he could do an endoscopy on me.  I know I have to be more patient and can't deem my surgery as a failure since I am no longer on any sort of PPI but this recovery has been long.  Also, at least now I can bend over and not have acid spill out like before.  Glad to hear from you.....Barbara...

Doghouse:  Wow, onion rings (you're brave)!!! As I mentioned I pretty much eat what ever I want with the exception of anything fried (don't have a gallbladder).  It sounds like you are doing pretty good now.  The nausea will probably come and go as it does with me.  Barbara.....

Posted 2/27/2008 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Porcelain Doll,
Take your doctor up on his offer for the endoscopy. You will feel 10,000,000 times better when you can actually see that all's well inside. And I do believe that the funky chest feeling will subside in time.
Take care.
Posted 3/4/2008 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I tested the function of the wrap today. Had an Italian Hoagie... Whew it was good. Hot peppers and onions and all. I had to chew it up really really well, but it was GREAT. No reflux. No problems. YAY. Swallowing is still getting easier and easier, tiny bits at a time. :) I only get episodes of nausea if I over eat now.

Posted 3/9/2008 3:22 AM (GMT 0)

Okay, I am new here and really scared. I am having my nissen on the 26th of march. This is the only forum with people that actually have good things to say. I had a breakdown today because I thought I did not want the surgery anymore. I thought that I would rather live with Gerd then not being able to vomit, exercise, or eat regularly again.

Can anybody give me some reassurance about the side effects not being so bad. Explain to me why not being able to vomit is worth the surgery. I am just really nervous and I don't know if I should cancel my surgery. I don't want to be out of work for that long either. Can you lovely people tell me how long until you returned to work?

Thank you in advance for your responses, I swear sometimes Internet forums are more harm than good. It seems like only the negative post!!

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