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

No nobody's had a look. I went for my post op appointment a week after surgery and haven't been back since. He doesn't want to see me for another couple of months apparently! Crikey! Seems like a long time to me!

Well I can speak to him on Thursday and make an appointment for the following Thursday if necessary.

Elaine, Isnt LPR where the upper esophageal sphinter allows backflow of acid to the voice box? You shouldn't have anymore acid I hope!  I hope your swelling goes down and you can swallow food soon. Think "non swelling" thoughts! I continue to advance my diet but there are some foods that just don't work. I can't get scrambled eggs down. I have tried twice this week and both times I got the hiccups from them not going down right away. I can eat almost anything that I chew well except doughy stuff like muffins and cakes. I haven't tried chicken or steak and sometimes ground beef doesn't want to go down either. You will get there! I am back at work for the second day. That has been a challenge. I am tired after about 6 hours and I work 10 hour days.

Susan

I am 7 weeks out from a lap nissen/hiatal hernia surgery and I am not happy  I am so glad I have found this forum I just wish I had found it sooner because I would not have had my surgery!! I started having heartburn issues 6 years ago that continued to get worse over the years. around 2006 they put my on Omeprazole (prilosec) which was working nicely until about 1 year ago. I went to my PCP and explained that the medication was not as effective as it had been, I was experiencing heartburn daily. Sooo I was then told about the options and benefits of a nissen fundoplication which I had never heard of or even knew that such a thing exsited for those whom suffered from heartburn. this is all happening the second week of December 2007 ...CHRISTMAS DAY now two weeks with NO medication I am in the hospital because I am vomiting up yellow sour yummy stomach acid mixed sometimes with blood and couldn't even keep water down as is burned horribly. what do they do...send me back home and tell me to follow up with my PCP I wanted to die it burned so bad I was up all night crying needless to say I was heartbroken that I ruined Xmas for my child and sat at the dinner table upset at the world. so ASAP I call my PCP I go in and they get the ball rolling I meet with a GI doc the first week in Jan he sends me for tests preparing me for surgery I had made up my mind at that point in time If surgery was going to make sure I never felt like I did on Xmas I was all for it (little did I know how I would feel now) by the second week of Feb I had met my surgeon and surgery was set for the last week of march 2008 and lands me to now...I had the surgery woke up in pain which of course is expected no problem..I go home the next day with 15 vicodin and I'm home resting...within 2 or 3 days I'm drinking beef broth eating ice cream and juice is my best friend..by day 4 I am having a HORRIBLE pain in my shoulder blades and neck area (I am outta pain med by now) So I call the on call doc (its about 7pm) she says the pain will go away..I AM STILL HAVING THE PAIN anyone else? I have since read horror stories that some still have it and that the surgeons deny its from this surgery...I am also STILL HAVING ACID REFLUX and CHOKING on the SOFTEST of foods...I feel like my own surgeon is calling me a liar without actually calling me one...he seems stunned that I am still having gerd told me the shoulder pain is nothing to be concerned about and sent me for my second barium swallow yesterday even he says I shouldn't be having any dysphagia at all at this point I am dying to eat a hamburger!!! I have lost 20 pounds since the surgery which is good but I feel weak all the time as I'm sure I am not getting the nutrients I need. so now I am just sitting and waiting for his office to call I guess but in all honesty I wish I would have known then what I know now. I thought I was getting rid of one problem but now I still have it plus 2 more. I know this was really long lol but I figured I'd explain it the best way I could to hopefully get the best response possible PLEASE HELP ANYONE and THANK YOU ALL I look forward to hearing all the feedback and advice....

Post Edited (UnHappy86) : 6/26/2008 5:52:18 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Unhappy86,

I am getting ready to have surgery soon also and my heart goes out to you with the problems you're having.  It's stories like yours that really make me do my homework and find the absolute best surgeon to do it.

I just want to tell you that I've talked to lots of people who have had the surgery and know three personally, and they all say that it takes almost a year to recover completely from the surgery.  Everyone has different side effects from pain to nausea, diarrhea, dysphasia but it eventually gets better. I hope this is the case for you.  All the best to you,

Well I'm new here and I've been reading over all the posts. I'm both scared and excited about my up coming Nissen on the 30th of this month. I have had the Barium swallow test and the PH test for 48 hours with the bravo. I had a horrid time with the PH procedure but after gagging and crying all most through the whole thing We got the transmitter in place. So with the results in I'm now getting my surgery done.

I also have a problem with my upper esophagus which will be another surgery down road to repair that. I'm supposing that is my biggest worry, the swallowing after this surgery is done because I struggle now to swallow.

I'm wondering if anyone has the same troubles with a stricture ? in their upper esophagus and had the Nissen done all ready ?

I also have Barrett's esophagus which my Biopsy has been good so far but this is part of the reason the Do's want to go ahead with the surgery on the 30th.

Any info would be greatful.

Elaine, long time since I posted. I am doing well but it sounds like you are still moving slow. I can eat almost anything but lord help me if I eat too big a bite or too fast or talk when I eat. I get the hiccups, and wait for the "stuck" food to pass. A couple of times I actually vomiting a small amt of liquid when it happened. I quit losing weight a couple of weeks ago and seemed to actually gain a little back . I still dont eat a lot but unfortunately the carbs work the best for me. White meat chicken is still too dry but anything else is OK. I have been back at work for a few weeks and feel good. I still need a little extra sleep but I am managing. Hope you do better soon. Susan

Hi Sushan! It's nice to hear from you! Glad you are still doing well.   I have lost a bit more weight and am down to 116 pounds but have stabilised now. I just fill up on ice-cream, milky drinks, custard, yoghurt and homemade soup. I have started doing a few more physical activities and managed to lift half a sack of sheep feed yesterday without any problems! I will let everyone know when I progress!

Picklepuss how are you?