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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 4/7/2008 4:13 PM (GMT 0)

GOOD LUCK ELAINE!!!!

We will be waiting to hear how it all goes!

HUGS

Posted 4/8/2008 4:10 AM (GMT 0)

It's been some time since I've checked in with this group.  I see a whole new group, that's great. 

 Happily Wrapped, glad to see that you are so happy with your surgery and everything seems to be going well.

Porcelain Doll, is there any specific reason you are having an endoscopy?  Are you o.k.?

It's good to get back in touch with you guys.  I'll have to take some time and get to know the other folks.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 4/9/2008 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carla:  I am so glad to hear from you!  I am having an endoscopy to check my surgery.  It will be 6 months for me on the 17th and still have some chest pain that is quite bothersome.  Do you remember having chest pain for this long after your surgery?  I sometimes wonder if perhaps something went wrong because of the chest pain.  Since, I was getting the endoscopy the gastro doctor said he wanted to go ahead and do an colonoscopy too since I have constipation issues.  Today is the prep day and will be eating nothing but lemon jello and chicken broth and of course the dreaded laxatives (yuck).  I hope this doesn't give me any problems since I know I am supposed to drink lots of water but still can't drink like I used to pre-op.  Thanks Carla for your kind words and support....Barbara....

Posted 4/12/2008 10:08 AM (GMT 0)
Well I am back! I came out last night. All went well. They found a hernia which we didn't know was there and corrected that too. A lot of wind but a bit better today. Taking pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Drinking well and managed soup and yoghurt no problem. Stll got a sore throat so not sure if I still have a burning feeling or not. Surgeon said it would take a few days to settle down anyway. I will keep you updated on progress! cool

 

Posted 4/12/2008 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
I am new to the site. I had my NF done 4/7/08. This is my second time having it done. The first time was 6 years ago. I cannot tell you what happened to the wrap. It was not even there when the surgeon went in. I had a hiatal hernia back with a hole in the diaphragm. I am going through a lot of the same symptoms I had after the first surgery. I lived in another State and had a different surgeon. I was on a soft diet by now the first time. This surgeon wants me on liquids only for 2 weeks. He feels it heals better. I can answer to a lot of your comments in two ways. I have been there done that and am back for more. Last time there were many spasms. Now they don't bother me as much.  I think because I know what they are. For those of you talking about soda. I gave it up and never looked back. 1 1/2 years ago when my symptoms slowly returned I was able to start to vomit and burp but I still had food get stuck. Immediately before this surgery it appears that the food was sticking in my hernia not the wrap which was above my diaphragm and appeared to be part of the initial wrap. Dry foods always were a problem. Chew, chew and swallow with a little water. It helps. This time I have a lot more pain in the incision areas and when I move around. It may be because of the mesh they used to repair my diaphragm. I don't know. Use the gas-x. I have been taking the ultra strength (generic simethicone is fine) twice a day every day. I used it for the entire last 6 years but not daily after about 1 year. This time, every time I drink a sip, a little air or burp comes up. I was excited because this is a good thing to me. I cannot force a burp though. I could not last time either. Anyway, here I am. :-)

Posted 4/13/2008 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hello:  I had my colonoscopy/endoscopy on Thursday and all went well.  The gastro doctor said that my surgery looked very good as did the hiatal hernia repair.  I told him the chest pain is still bothering me and he thinks it is probably stress related (as mentioned on many posts, my 14 year old gives me lots of stress).  There were two nurses helping the doctor with the procedure and one of the nurses told me that her husband had the same surgery 10 years ago and it took him about 1 year to finally feel normal again.  I told her that it would be 6 months on the 17th for me and she I wasn't giving it enough time.  I really did get a sense of relief knowing my surgery looked good and now all I have to do is be patient and take it one day at a time. 

I almost forgot to mention that yesterday I had a wake up call. I didn't think I had eaten a larger portion of food but evidently I did, as I had an Italian dish made with fusilli pasta which is quite thicker than regular spagetti pasta and I am sure it was more filling.  I had intense pain in the wrap area and I pretty much had every ugly sensation imaginable (I wanted to burp, pass gas, vomit, go to #2) it was awful.  I even took my nausea medicine but it didn't help at all.  I walked around for about 30 minutes trying to stay calm and then after about an hour it finally subsided.  This is my body telling me that I still have to really watch my portion sizes and be extra careful.  Perhaps, if this has happened to any one of you, you will know what I am talking about.  HappilyWrapped, I am wondering if this is how you felt when you ate the calzone at the Italian restaurant and got really sick?  I do remember you had mentioned it. 

Bo Peep:  I don't understand why they are giving you anti-inflammatory drugs?  Was there another problem other than acid reflux?  Glad to hear you made it through.  Good luck to you and to Sushan.  Barbara......

 

Posted 4/13/2008 8:28 AM (GMT 0)
I think the anti-inflammatory is because all my insides are sore, swollen and inflamed after surgery. I get a little burp of air coming up when I drink aswell but I can also do quite big burps. Hope the wrap is tight enough confused . My throat was really irritated yesterday and I started to cough! Hope I didn't do any damage sad . I have some gas-x so will use that if I get too uncomfortable.

Welcome to the forum Sushan!

Posted 4/13/2008 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Had a bad night last night. I think I am full of gas and you know what............I took the docusate that they recommended to take with pain medicine. I am not sure what it is really. Just very uncomfortable. I did a lot of walking yesterday with my step daughter at the mall. I wonder if I did too much? Who knows. Hopefully it will resolve today.
Posted 4/13/2008 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Porcelain Doll:

You wrote: HappilyWrapped, I am wondering if this is how you felt when you ate the calzone at the Italian restaurant and got really sick? I do remember you had mentioned it.

My answer: BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've had one more reminder that I should be careful of portion size, but it wasn't as bad as the calzone episode. When we go out, I now ask for the take-home container as soon as I sit down and my husband takes custody of the dessert menu. If we do have dessert, he orders it with two spoons/forks and I have a few bites of his. At home, I take my portion and never go back for seconds - the way my husband cooks Sunday dinner, that is really tough to do.

I knew if your doctor performed an endoscopy it would give you loads of relief just knowing that everything is fine inside. Your stress level just decreased immensely because you no longer need to worry if the wrap is OK.
Posted 4/13/2008 5:44 PM (GMT 0)

HappilyWrapped:  Yes, then it must of been the portion size that gave me the problem.  I don't go out to restaurants liked I used to but once in a while it is ok.  That is a good idea to cut the meal in half.  I just don't want to eventually gain lots of weight because it seems to me if the stomach stretches the wrap will eventually get loose, what do you think?  To me this only makes sense.  I did get a colonoscopy/endoscopy on Thursday and the gastro said it all looked good.  I think my chest pain comes from stress. I really was relieved but my gastro didn't give me any sort of pictures but then again I didn't ask for any. 

Do you stop eating before you are full?  I do this and sometimes I do wish I could eat more like the good old days.  I just stop and I don't really feel satisfied but the feeling eventually goes away.  I wonder if we will have to eat like this forever?  Barbara...

Posted 4/13/2008 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
If you do eat like this you will not have weight problems in the future. Trust me. You will be able to eventually eat more and more but.......why stretch out your remaining stomach? I remember the misery I felt when I ate too much. It was not worth it. I used to split meals with my husband when we went out and then order an extra side dish or salad for him. Eventually, I was eating most of my own. I gained a lot of weight in a short amt of time due to hypothyroidism that was undiagnosed(25 pounds). I think it contributed to my wrap break down and now having to do this again. I have decided that this time, I will not overeat, stay to the small portion sizes, and work on keeping the weight that I intend to lose over the next couple of months off for good. My kids used to tease me about the amount of food I ate after my first surgery. Like a bird they would say!
Posted 4/13/2008 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Porcelain Doll:

I agree that it makes sense that if we overeat on a regular basis the stomach will stretch and may compromise the wrap. I do have an aquaintance, a man, who had the surgery 10 years ago and eats like a horse today. He does now, and has for several years, take a daily small dose of a PPI. But that small dose controls all symptoms. As I intend to go as long as possible without taking meds, I'll go for the small portions. I've lost a total of 35 pounds and am staying steady at this weight.

I am usually still a bit hungry when I stop eating - not ravenous, just that feeling like I'm not really full and could eat more. Like you said, I walk away not feeling satisfied, but the feeling goes away in a short while. If I eat until I feel full, then in a short while I don't feel very good. And if I eat until I feel really, really full - like I can't swallow another bite - well, then it's the "calzone episode". I anticipate that this is they way I will continue to eat permanently.

I don't know about you, but I've lost my taste for sweets. I used to eat a handful (or two) of cookies and large slices of cake. Now, one cookie or a bite or two of cake satisfies me. I used to eat large bowls of ice cream, but a few spoonfuls is all I need now. I find it really weird because before surgery, I was the biggest sweet eater going. I don't crave sweets like I used to and can only handle a square or two of a small Hershey bar where I used to eat 2 bars at one sitting. I can't tolerate fast food any more either - Uncle Ronald, The Colonel, BK and Taco Bell no longer call me into their drive-thru's. I've stopped once or twice out of habit, but I don't feel right after eating at any of those places and they used to be a regular stop for me. I can't explain it, but I've lost my taste for some of the junk I was used to eating. Maybe that's why I have no problem maintaining the weight loss.

By the way - I feel like a "gas factory" these days - how about you?
Posted 4/14/2008 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Sushan:  How long did it take for you to be able to eat a normal portion size?  I know the way I eat right now I won't gain weight but I am just wondering about the future, say maybe in 3-4 or 5 years from now.  I too will stay with the smaller portion sizes (right now I don't have a choice).  I hardly even drink any liquid with my meals because that too makes me feel full.  It is unbelievable how many rules we have to follow with this surgery but I won't complain since I don't have heartburn anymore. 

HappilyWrapped:  My weight has been steady too.  When I went in for my colonoscopy/endoscopy I weighed in at 122.  I really want to keep this weight since I can't imagine to have to go thru this mess again.  I haven't lost my taste for sweets but I notice if I stay away from them I don't crave them as much.  As far as junk food goes I don't eat that anymore.  I try not to eat anything fried either like fried chicken or french fries.  I think we have lost our taste for the junk food since we didn't have any other choice but to clean up our environment due to the gerd eating rules.  If you don't eat the junk, you won't miss it at least this is the case with me.  I think if we keep on eating healthy, hopefully it will pay off in the long run.  Also, as far as the "gas factory," it comes and goes (I got a really good laugh at the "gas factory" because I can really relate to that one).  Sometimes, I think I am getting better in that department and then for no apparent reason, I feel as if I could fart for all of Southwest Texas.  Sometimes, it can be quite embarrassing to keep having to pass so much gas, especially in public when a silent but deadly seeps out.  Once in a while I do have to take the gas-x and it really helps.  I always make sure I always have the nausea and gas pill with me no matter where I go.   

Posted 4/14/2008 7:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all! A question for everyone. I still have a sore/burning throat. Is this normal? I am 4 days post op. Thanks in anticipation! :-)
Posted 4/14/2008 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Porcelein Doll, It took quite awhile. I want to say close to 2 years! I never got to eating full portions of anything without feeling kind of sick. I also never drank with meals, even up to a year ago when it appears my first wrap totally broke down or migrated up, however you want to look at it! I always felt too full. I also never drank soda for the entire 6 years except for one sip or two. As far as the sweets and junk food, good for you. I was a sweet aholic before this surgery. Hershey is still calling my name but I am on liquids still for another week. I hope I lose the craving too. Gas is part of the surgery but there are things to help the amount. Beano works for some people. Stay away from gum, soda,straws, anything that makes you swallow air. You don't even know you are swallowing it sometimes. After a couple of years it seemed to calm down for me. At first look out. I am already passing lots of gas but I feel like there is a ton in my gut still.

BoPeep, I did not have burning just soreness from the ET tube for a couple of days. You may have been scratched in there. If warm liquids aren't making it better, I would call my Doc.
Posted 4/15/2008 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Bo Peep:

I had a TERRIBLE sore throat for almost a week post op!  Just stick to warmer foods, it helped me, soupd and tea were my friends!

I am now 11 weeks post op

I was VERY lucky with my recovery, minus the bronchitis, which was unrelated.

I still don't eat as much as I did prior to surgery, but I ate too much before anyway. So I feel  I FINALLY eat normal portions!!!  I also don't have much of an appetite anymore. I eat breakfast once in a while, lunch is usually snacks then I eat a normal dinner. I drink a LITTLE soda, but usually it's the taste I miss. I don't drink a lot, because of the gas. I DON'T USE STRAWS. They are my enemy! 

I am so BLESSED to feel as good as I do!  I feel maybe it is part due to my 'young' age, 29. lol.  But, who knows.  The only reminder I have about my surgery, is when I take too big a bite everyonce in a while. But if I relax my chest and stomach, I feel MUCH better! 

I've lost 20lbs! who hoo!!!! i WAS hoping to lose more, BUT, I won't be anytime soon. I'm PREGNANT!!!!!!  YEA!  This will be quite an ADVENTURE. I HOPE my morning(all day) sickness won't be as bad as it was with my 1st daughter!!!! I will let you all know how the Wrap/Heartburn goes as I get BIGGER!!!!

Hope everyone is having a nice Tuesday!

Posted 4/15/2008 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
Alycarr00:

:-) :-) :-) yeah CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! yeah smurf smurf :-)
Posted 4/15/2008 4:26 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Alli! It is easing a bit now but I am having trouble with the irritation still and it is making me cough! mad When will that go away? You had bronchitis though you poor thing which was far worse!

 I don't have any pain now (6 days post op) and the staples come out on Thursday. I am wearing my normal bra and having a normal day but without any heavy lifting.

Congrats to you Alli! :-) Just what you were wishing for! yeah

Posted 4/15/2008 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all! New member here. 48/M

I had my NF surgery done in November 2007. It has totally cured my heartburn and reflux. I can sleep again!

My only issue is gas..... lots of it!

The problem is not gas pain, as it finds it's way out... with authority.

My surgeon feels it's a temporary issue that will resolve itself. Man, I hope so.

Anyone else have this "issue"? If so, how long did it take for things to get back to normal?
Posted 4/16/2008 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Mr3Putt, If you read back posts, I think you will find out that many of us have "windy" conditions. Welcome. I am only 9 days out from this surgery. I also had it done 6 years ago so it must not have been so bad. The gas can be caused from lots of things including how tight the wrap is. If you swallow air and can't burp at all, it has to come out somewhere or you would explode!
Posted 4/16/2008 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Bo Peep, they glued me together, no sutures or staples. I guess there is an internal suture from what I was told. AlyCarr, congrats. I hope you don't have morning sickness. You may need to take anti nausea meds if you are allowed. Heaving is a bad thing..............
Posted 4/16/2008 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Bo Peep
I can't believe they STAPLED YOU!!!! How many did they put in......They used the stitches that disolve with me......

Thanks for all the congrats everyone.....Keeping my fingers crossed I don't get too sick! AH.
Posted 4/18/2008 10:39 AM (GMT 0)
10 staples. They were taken out yesterday. Weight is steadyish. Had a bad day Wednesday as nothing was going down. Must have been swollen. Fine now though. Surgeon said I will have ups and downs for a few weeks. No heavy lifting for 2 months! I am still on liquids and sloshy purees. I will try something a bit more adventurous after 2 weeks.
Posted 4/18/2008 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Bet it feels good to get those staples out of there. My glue is coming off at the edges which is the sign we are on the mend.......... I also have bad and good days. I wasnt suppose to start puree for another few days but I tried a few bites of really mushy canned pasta (sounds gross but it was kiddy food and I actually chewed!) and it went down fine. Cream of wheat is working too. I also ate a piece of Hershey Bliss chocolate and let it melt in my mouth. Heaven.  I long for a slice of pizza............I bet it is a couple of months for that one. I know I was a redo and there was a lot of scar tissue that they cut through but did anyone get a burning sensation when they move wrong around one of the incision areas?
Posted 4/18/2008 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi to all you brave souls with the wrap,  I am about to have the surgery next month  and I am wondering about the wrap itself.   My surgeon does the 360 floppy wrap and he says it's more flexible and doesn't get as tight as a regular 360 wrap.  Maybe this allows for easier swallowing and maybe a small burp.  Do any of you have this wrap?  thanks, Sillylilly

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