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7 days post lap nissen

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Posted 10/17/2008 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
1 week ago today I had the lap nissen done and I am having an awful time with it. My shoulder pain is almost unbearable, the overall body pain even with strong pain medication is staying at about a 4 to 6 range. The only liquids i can get down are gatorade, water and herbal tea(all lukewarm of course.)And my diet consits of jello, cream of wheat( very runny) and vanila pudding. Every thing else makes me sick. And speaking of that I have had 3 bouts of dry heaves since i came home. HEEELLLLLLLLPPPP!! my Dr. keeps telling me things take time and go slow and easy. Well I am what else can I do??
Posted 10/17/2008 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hello ditzy and welcome! We can help you through the next couple of weeks; you found the right place!

1. Shoulder pain: it's from the gas that they used for the surgery and they use a ton of it; for some reason your shoulder bears the brunt of this..who knows why? What helped me most was chewable gas-x and a heating pad. They won't hurt you so don't worry about chewing a bunch during the day. WALK!!! walk as much as you can, this will help get the gas out of your system.

2. Stay with the warm liquids, but maybe ease off of the sugary stuff if it makes you ill; if not, you may want to try popsicles too; the coolness sometimes helps. The most important thing is sipping water and other fluids all day long. I hope JOhn or Caroline come in here, they had a mixture that they used and swore by...

3. Take your meds often and early if necessary; most everyone here took them on a shorter schedule than prescribed at first...no one got hooked and everyone tapers off on their own schedule. Get some children's liquid motrin as well...but get the real stuff, not the generic..the generic burns. 45 ml is equivalent to 800 mg of regular motrin (someone correct me if I wrong..). They finally had to give me fentanyl patch; my pain was really bad too. If you get the pain under control, the queasiness will get better too.

4.Call your Dr., (it doesn't matter which one, the one that cares the most), get a script for zofran and phenergan; these are both for nausea. The zofran is stronger, so take it during the day; it does not cause drowsiness; phenergan isn't as strong, but it makes you sleepy and will help you through the night.

You are doing all you can, and you are right on schedule (isn't that an awful thing to think!!) Despite what you may have been told, or what you may think, this is major, major surgery and it will take time to heal. Someone wise on this panel told me the 90% of your healing will come in the first 8 weeks; the other 10% will come in the next year. This is very, very true!! You can expect to feel lousy for a while, but slowly you will feel better and the younger you are, the more quickly this will happen.

For me it was about week 5 1/2, but suddenly I felt better. I had complications as well, and my pain was significant..but I'm here, on the other side, 3 months this past Wednesday and I feel (mostly!) Great!!! You will feel lousy, depressed, hopeful, okay, tired, worried, better, cheerier, sorta okay, better!, pretty good, great!!!

Stay here with us, we'll help you through this.

Gentle hugs, wishes for good sleep and good days,
Janice
Posted 10/17/2008 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
ditzy76

Welcome to HealingWell. I have not had this surgery but I have read many of the stories of the members and from what I have read your on track. It appears to be a tough surgery as it has a long recovery time and it is hard to be patient when your the one going through it.

Keep talking to the members, they are full of wisdom, first hand wisdom.

Kitt

Posted 10/18/2008 8:24 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Ditzy!

Try and keep your strength up by getting some Complan (can't remember what the equivalent is in the USA) which is a powder you mix with water or milk, hot or cold and is full of vitamins and minerals.

Smooth yoghurt is a good one to try aswell and custard. What are the types of food that make you feel sick?

Posted 10/20/2008 8:58 AM (GMT 0)
Time, time, time... I know it's hard now, but you just gotta get through this stage the best you can. The first 2-3 weeks were very, very hard for me as well. If I ate 4-5 bites of porridge and managed to keep it down, it was a huge achievement. I think you've got to find the foods that you can handle the most and eat as much as you possibly can. Also, you must try to drink enough liquids, or you're going to face dehydration, which I was on the brink of constantly in the beginning. After 5 weeks, I could FINALLY handle a lot of normal food, and now after 7 weeks, I can eat anything that's not spicy. Until you reach that point, just do the best you can. Many, many, many of us have been there. It sucks, but it WILL get better (and actually, it sounds like you're doing better than a lot of people in the first week, I couldn't hold Gatorade down at all).
Posted 10/20/2008 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
So sorry to hear you are down and out...Keep up the good work though.  Sounds like the other members really are helping.  I will tell you what will help with the gas pain.  I used this when I had m,y gallbladder removed and I PROMISE, it works!  1/2 apple juice, 1/2 ginger ale.  Warm it up in the microwave and it breaks down the gass bubbles!!!!  And, it ain't half bad, either!  Good luck...gas pains are terrible! :-)
Posted 10/21/2008 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
ditzy,

How are you feeling now? I hope you are feeling better? Keep us posted.

amo

Posted 10/23/2008 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to everyone that replied to my post. I have been doing slightly better but am still struggling to get small amounts of food down. I have success with scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes but still cant handle much in more solid foods. Anything that is of more constancy than scrambled eggs and it all feels like it is stuck and it hurts to much to try and wait for it to go down. So I am staying with soft stuff. It has been 13 days since my surgery and while the intense pain has slacked off the more intense burning in areas of my stomach has been a shock. I have called my Dr several times to check with the different pains as they are coming to me and she has assured me that what i have been feeling is normal. I just wish I was aware of that before I had the surgery. I am also having a difficult time with not being depressed because I can't even move to do the more simplest things. It is driving me nuts. But all in all I do feel better than when I first posted.
Posted 10/24/2008 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
I am at 14 days post-op and know the feeling of depression and not being able to do anything. It drives me nuts and its nice to know that I am not alone. I have been lucky because I have been able to eat more however, I pay for it when I over do it or eat the wrong thing. Still having pains but they are getting better. Just hang in there and know that we have each others back. Take care and god bless.

Melissa
Posted 11/1/2008 5:37 PM (GMT 0)

Xena and Ditzy, how are you doing now? 

I haven't been on the board for a while as I'm now back to working full time and, I do have to say, that even though my surgery was over 3 months ago, a full day of work tires me out and I'm in bed quite early and don't stay up as late as I used to surfing the net.

Janice, thank god you responded timely with great answers, of course :)  And, I'm glad you are doing so much better, I know you had  a rough go of it for a while.

As we all know, this is a very slow healing process.  Again, Janice's explanation of the process was spot on. 

I think the bottom line for all of is to realize that this is a life changing and lifestyle changing procedure.  I know that I eat differently now than I did before the surgery.  I still have bouts of incredible gas now and then and I'm learning what foods trigger that and are to be avoided for me.  I don't eat as much now quantity wise as I used to before the surgery which is a great thing.  I DO have to say that I can't even stand the sight of mashed potatoes - as I'm sure many of us can attest to - I lived on these for the longest time and, at least for now, don't care if I ever eat them again - HAHAHAHA!!!!! 

I think I posted somewhere shortly after having the surgery that if I knew how hard the recovery was going to be (AND IT IS HARD WE ALL KNOW THAT), I would NOT have had the surgery.  However, 3 months out I can say that I WOULD have it again.  I have been 100% acid reflux free from day one and it's wonderful not waking up in the middle of the night with my stomach on fire and that horrible taste and burning in my throat. 

I support each and every one of you who is going through the recovery process at whatever stage. 

John

Posted 11/1/2008 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
John!! I've missed talking to you!! If Kitt will allow it, you can have my e-mail so that we can chat and I'm curious about the gas triggers! John, you're still that tired?, we have to talk!

Apple Juice and Ginger Ale heated up!!, I'm going to have to try it.....wouldn't it cause more acid though?

Melissa and Lys, John is so right (my same-day surgery buddy!) My recovery was rough and with complications; I wondered so many times if I hadn't really screwed up my life by having this surgery, but I'm here to second John; this has been life changing for me. I had atypical symptoms, but severe damage. Pulmonary issues were high on my list of OMG!, but who knew that it was caused by reflux? I'm still on protonix; but not because of heartburn per se, but because my stomach still produces an extraordinary amount of acid and this inflames the vagus nerve, which causes migraines...again who knew???

The depression is very normal; this surgery is sold to a lot of people as a quick turn around, minimal pain, quick recovery.. WRONG!!!! Tough, tough, tough! But, everything you're experiencing will pass and for most people (depending on your age), the 5 week mark seems to be absolutely magical. 90% of your healing will occur in the first 8 weeks; the last 10% will take up to a year! Take this to heart and follow your directions and you will be okay!!!

This forum and the friends you will find along the way will bring you so much comfort and peace of mind, it is truly priceless!

We're here for you!
Janice
Posted 11/1/2008 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
hi there...
I was wondering Jane do you work outside the home ??
Also, if you or anyone else here wants to chat why dont you utilize the chat rooms here ??
WEll, take care
Posted 11/2/2008 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Oakley, yes, I'm a Senior Accountant and Section Manager and definitely work outside the home, why?

I didn't know about the chat rooms and didn't mean to offend.
Posted 11/4/2008 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
hello ...no offense taken, I was actually just reminding you and anyone else that we have the chat rooms here on hw as well for visiting and providing support !!
It is fun to visit on there and there is always someone who just needs to talk ......
Have a great day !
Posted 11/4/2008 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
hello
I have a quick question for kitt.
Can you tell me how i would contact someone in regards to the chat rooms.
It may just be my computer but i can't switch rooms or log off sometimes ...
I would appreciate any help on this matter...thanks !!!
Anne
Posted 11/5/2008 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
LDY JANE i would like to talk to you personally about your reflux issues and surgery etc as i have the respiratory problems and throat issues from reflux........how do i contact you or how do you contact me so i can as you some questions? blush
Posted 11/5/2008 8:18 PM (GMT 0)

stkitt said...
ditzy76


Welcome to HealingWell. I have not had this surgery but I have read many of the stories of the members and from what I have read your on track. It appears to be a tough surgery as it has a long recovery time and it is hard to be patient when your the one going through it.



Keep talking to the members, they are full of wisdom, first hand wisdom.



Kitt

how do i contact someone on here to talk to them about their surgery etc?
Posted 11/5/2008 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
neolissa, check your e-mail for a note from me.
Janice
Posted 11/16/2008 6:03 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Janice, I would love to chat with you via email or instant messaging.   I also have never used the chat feature on here.    My email is so please drop me a line, I would love to hear from you. Edit:

I have taken your email address out as we don’t allow people to post their contact details in threads for their own safety. (Because these are public forums and there is also scanning software out there.), so to add your email address to your profile so that others can email you you need to:

Click CONTROL PANEL in the blue bar at the top of your screen

Click EDIT PROFILE in the middle of the bar at the top.

You should already have an email in the box ( if not put your email in the bos) but you need to make sure that SHOW MY EMAIL ADDRESS is selected.

After selecting it, click SUBMIT and your done! That will activate the blue envelope on the left of your posts so members can email you.

So it's been just about 4 months now for us both.  I look in the mirror every day and see the scar that are V E R Y slowly healing and fading.  Even now, I have to remind myself to eat slowly and CHEW.  Today I went to a restaurant called Souplantation - like a soup and salad buffet.  I love salads and raw veggies but that still have can have a difficult time getting them down.  Even today I had a very short and minor blockage where I felt that pain in my chest and couldn't breath.  It lasted only a minute or so but it took me back to several months ago and I once again had to realize, my body IS STILL healing.  I have a new job here in San Diego and helped moved some office stuff around last Friday and I realized that I still can't do what I used to be able to do pre-surgery. 

And yes I still get bouts of gas that are honestly embarassing.  Thank goodness I'm able to pop into a restroom if they occur during the day.  They are mostly in the evening.  And yes, once again one of my favorite AND healthy things triggers it - raw and leafy veggies. I still carry the little packets of the dissovable Gas-X. 

My weight has stabilized and now I am trying to lost 15 more lbs before I turn 50 next year and I will be slim for the first time since I was in my 30's. 

Janice, I am a legal administrator and also do accounting - sounds like we are on similar wavelengths even more than having our surgery the same day. I hope we can chat soon.

Cheers!

John


Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 11/16/2008 8:01:03 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/16/2008 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Janice...I don't know for sure why but you irritate me...
Join the club of those that seem to know everything.
I am going to try not to allow myself to log on here anymore...
you and John should get together
and the reason I asked about you working outside the home is because you are here so much....
and yes, I am upset again ...
I feel as though this is a small group of people who are now friends and some of us don't belong and I am tired of it

Edit: Annie, please email me re this post.................

 

Kitt

 

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 11/16/2008 8:24:24 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/16/2008 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
Oakley, your feelings for me, and others, have been evident to many people and from the onset; if you check my posts they do not happen during the workday and besides, it's none of your business. You seem to feel the need to follow each of my posts as if to have the last word; that's your prerogative, but it's unfortunate that you have to bring hostility to a site that offers hope to so many people

After struggling with a myriad of problems for a long time, I've been through the medical ringer; if I can spare someone pain, suffering, time and money then I am happy to do so.

Janice

Edit:  Janice, Of course you and your friend and member of GERD John may email.  Your email is lit up in blue so all he has to do is click on the blue envelope.

I have instructed John how to put his email into his profile.

From now on there will be no further inappropriate posts to you or anyone else that is inappropriate or disrespectful.

Thank you,

Kitt

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 11/16/2008 8:29:15 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/16/2008 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Janice.........thanks for the update on how everyone feels....
you are a peach
Posted 11/16/2008 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
and .....I needed hope too but you were very selective about who you helped
and I am not hostile....just sad
Posted 11/17/2008 3:20 AM (GMT 0)

Dear Oakly,

If you are sad please start a thread and talk to us, you know from experience we will talk back to you and try to help you in any way we can. Tell us what is making your feel so sad.

Our rules include: Respect other members of the community and don’t belittle, make fun off, or insult another member. If you have a problem with another member again, the next time I will expect that you will send the mail to the right address, to me.

I am still seeing members ask for help and only 1-2 people say hello or offer advice, I wonder how they feel.  Maybe Annie you could help watch for them and help them not to feel bad. sometimes I am the only one that answers them.

You may email me if you like.

Respectfully

Kitt

Posted 11/19/2008 5:46 AM (GMT 0)
Kitt, thank you for helping me understand how to properly use this website.  There are so many other features that I wasn't aware of and that is great!

I want you to know that you are SO MUCH appreciated for what you do on here.  I know from reading your posts that you have your own challenges and struggles to deal with yet you continue your job here with such a wonderful and positive outlook - kudos to you.

We are ALL dealing with so many physical and emotional challenges that are very inter-connected.  All I know is that I found this website when I was in the deepest despair of my entire life the night after my procedure and it gave me amazing hope.  I truly truly wanted to die that night I was in SO much pain and despair.  But that very night I found this website and I started reading about others who have gone through this and I realized I wasn't alone and that just maybe I was going to make it through this.

And you know what?  This isn't a selective club or a clique.   Yes, some of us have bonded because we have had similar experiences or had surgery at the same time.  And there are people for whom surgery is not an option and and continue to live with GERD.  I totally empathize you as I lived with these symptoms for many many years to the point where I now have Barrett's Esophagus and it will continually have to be monitored.    It's not like the surgery is the end all and be all.  It's not.  But it can be a tool for some of us to deal with GERD.  Just as good medication is a tool for those who don't have the surgery.  The bottom line is that we are all on the same path - the path to health and wellness.   We may be traveling via different means but we're all on the same journey to happiness and health. 

I value each and every person that has taken the time to post on this website  I believe that I personally have an obligation to help others who might be where I was 4 months ago.  I want to shout, "Don't give up.  I know how it feels, but there IS hope, you WILL get better.  There ARE people on here who may not know you but that doesn't matter.  What matters is that we've been through it and we are here to offer our support to you."

And finally, there are many many posts on here that yes, only Kitt responds to and perhaps there are others of us who are able to do so and offer help and hope.  God bless all of you. 

John

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