Part 5 of POST OP LAP NISSEN...Please continue to post!!!

Oh Bo Peep, I can't beleive that you are 17 weeks post op and still can't get food down! Was your wrap to tight? I will be 10 weeks post op tommorrow and my friends and family are so upset that this has happened, I am down to 102 lbs from 115 but I am maintaining. My GI is also upset by this because of all the problems I have had over the years, hopefully he will be able to streach me ,but after reading all the coments I won't be alarmed if it doesn't work, the plan is to try up to 2 tiimes before a re-wrap. And to add to my stress I left a good job to go to work for my best friend about 2 weeks before surgery and I really didn't investigate this beforehand and we have had a few altercations and I have decieded that to save our friendship I need to look for another job. So I have been on my computer the past couple of days filling out applications and this really sucks! One thing good she is paying me while I look for another job! I told her I cannot afford to be with out a job also I was not sure how this stomach wrap is going to go. On the other hand she has been a Godsend to me because I was able to be flexable after surgery. You know someone said they want fried chicken, Boy I Can't Wait to eat some KFC!!! or a big jucy BURGER! Thanks for letting me vent.

Hi everyone! I've been reading your posts and like always, I'm amazed at the differences in what people are allowed to do and not do after surgery.

I'm not allowed to lift, pull, push anything! over 5 pounds for 3 months; I can't start doing any sort strengthening training for a least 6 months and even then it will be within certain parameters. I have to stay on a soft, mushy food diet for two months, but I can really chew up a few potato chips to a soft mush!! My surgeon has very strict protocols and a very high success rate, but that's because of his parameters..he really drills that into you!

Smile, my esophagus swelled to the point of being almost closed; it started about a week after my surgery. I was told that this happens to approx. 1% of post-op people. We headed back to Cleveland and a week ago they scoped and dilated my esophagus to the widest extent possible..as of today, it's easier and easier to eat. Please don't be delay this if possible, your quality of life will improve substantially. I sometimes forget and take a large drink of water, it still takes a few moments for this go down through the new valve, but it tells me it's there!!

Elaine, I'm sorry to hear about the continuing problems! I'll be working on my breathlessness with my trainer. Someone talked about aspirating. It turns out that I've been aspirating reflux for years while sleeping. Hence, I have permanent lung damage..mixed bronchiolitis..but the treadmill has proven to really boost my FEV and lung capacity. I'm starting up with my trainer again in a few weeks...just flat walking but then increasing. The walking I do now is helping but I have to watch the humidity and heat. Please let us know what happens tomorrow, it is so frustrating and depressing especially when others are eating pizza and feeling great huh!!!

Good luck everyone! I'm sorry to hear of the problems and I pray that each of you finds relief.

Janice

Thanks, Janice My surgeon also told me about the swelling and I may be one of those 1%, boy I hope so. I seem to have a lot of inflamation in my body in other areas also. I had a lot of restrictions and was told under no conditions to drink sodas, no lifting, but I did have to cut my grass a few times and I really felt the tightness in my chest. I found a wonderful product that Yoplat has out! Its a frozen fruit smoothie and you just add milk and put into a blender, its really yummy, gives a whole days worth of fruits. I bought some Geritol, but I can't get past the smell of it I'm afraid I might vomit. My proceedure has been moved up to noon tommorrow so I hope when you next hear from me it will be good news.

Post moved from closed thread: 

Bilbo  said...

Hey Doghouse, I had the Nassen Wrap last August that sugury went fine but i had other complication with the scar i have had 1 hernia and had it repaired Last Febuary, went back 5 days later to see the Doctor and was reamitted for MRSA and was inthe hospital for 6 week and on a woulnd V.A.C. for another 5 weeks then i had a graft in may 2008 now it is Aug 08 and am going back on 8/12/2008 to get a 26cm diameter Hernia correct they will cut me al the way up the middle and on both sides. The new Doc. said it will take 2 surgeons 2.5 hrs to repair they will be using cadavor tissue since it is less apt to infections i will be in the hospital 1 week and off for a few after that this will be the 17th sugury on my abdomine since 1993 and i am only 38 yrs old.

Good luck Elaine! Any answer would help right now and I hope they find a solution for you soon. When I read your note, though I'm wondering...is he saying that you're going to have to wait until 6 months go by before he would consider doing a dilation?

pheww, I wonder why he's waiting so long? They did mine two weeks post-op, but all I could get down was water at the time. I hope you're okay, please make sure you keep us up-to-date.
Hugs,
Janice

Ahh thanks guys!   I had the Barium Swallow but I have to wait for the results (although the radiologist said he thought they looked okay). So it looks like I will have to wait until 6 months post op and keep my fingers crossed that I feel better before then. I am so fed up with the whole thing that I want to scream! I just keep telling myself how lucky I am not to have any reflux and that I can eat chocolate and cream without feeling guilty!

I am going out for the day to the beach and hoping to unwind a bit. It is of course pouring with rain here (well it is Wales)! Hope you all have a good day and I will drop by later.

Hi everyone.  I am due to get the nissen this coming wednesday.  I am scared to death and have no idea what to expect from this surgery.  I have horrendous symptoms, i had indigestion after everything I eat, and my stomach always feels warm and burning.  Did anyone else have these symptoms before surgery?  I mean, the warm burning churning stomach with horrible acid fumes can last for days!  And if you did have these symptoms did the wrap help stop the acid and fumes from coming up?  I am so worried about this.  I have been in so much agony from this disease.  I absolutely cannot eat anything processed or I will pay for it for DAYS.  I am hoping this proceedure will help me. 

-Gabbs

Thank you to all of have made comments. I really appreciate everything that you have listed. I am due to have my surgery on Tuesday the 19th and could not find any help at all out here on the internet as to what to expect. You have all been so helpful. I feel that this thread is what will keep me sane for the next few months.

Elaine, what news did you find out from your barium swallow???

My procedure went very well. The doctor was even willing to release me the day of rather than just keeping me in the hospital overnight. I opted to stay overnight just in case. I am already able to eat some pudding, yogurt, cream of wheat, etc. My main problem is breathing and talking a lot. My chest gets to hurting pretty bad. Also a lot of gas and diarrhea that I am dealing with right now.

I wish to thank everyone for their postings before. Those postings were very helpful to me in what I could expect and what is in the "norm". For example, I know that this lump in my chest is common and nothing I need to worry about.

Kathy

Wow!, congrats on doing so well! The complaints you've written of are common to all of us; I was fortunate in that I somehow managed to avoid the gas bloat, so I can't complain (too much, haha!!). I hope you continue to progress strongly and without setbacks!

Elaine, do you have a follow-up scheduled? I guess, if there was something wrong they would have told you, but I sure would want some sort of communication! Have you called to ask what the results were (that would be me, very impatient!!)
Janice

Elaine, as long as we continue to help each other through this, we're never alone! (and I am so grateful for this!!!!!)
Janice