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4 days post Nissen

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Posted 3/9/2009 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Denise,

All went well at the doctor today.  She removed my sterile strips that hadn't fallen off and said my incisions looked great.  I was pretty impressed by how small they actually are.  She said my chest x-ray looked good.  I was sure happy about that after my coughing fits in the first week.  I was told I could not go back to work until the 6 weeks are up due to the nature of my job.  I guess it is life threatening if the wrap comes undone before scar tissue builds around it.  I asked many questions and the answers about the lungs and mucus were pretty much what you told me.  The PA wants me to contact her in 3 to 4 months to let her know if it helps my breathing.  I am now able to eat just about anything except caffeine, hard breads and raw vegetables.  Im another two weeks I can add them in acording to how well I handle them.  I am feeling good lately.  I am so glad I can drive now too.  That will make a world of difference. 

Hope all is well with you.

I will keep praying for you!!!

Happy healing!!!

Wendi :-)

Posted 3/9/2009 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your good wishes, Wendi!
I'm glad you had a good appointment with your PA. When I went, it was too early to take off the steri strips...they just said leave them on until they fall off. They seem to be healing well. One of them did fall off, and it was a really small incision.

I'm glad your lungs are better. That's the biggest hurdle. Hopefully in 3-4 months, we'll both be enjoying easier breathing.

My eating has been going pretty well. I am still very paranoid--worried that I may do something to my wrap and mess it up with my coughing. My coughing is better, but I'm still coughing stuff out--especially the one side that had fluid after surgery.

I'm a couple days behind you, so hopefully things will get better soon.

I am definitely burping, which also makes me nervous. I'm happy for the burps, but am still worried that it means I'll get reflux. I know it's fruitless to worry about it, but I'm just venting! I'll turn it over. Worrying does absolutely no good!

I can see why you need to stay out of work longer. I'm a classroom teacher with mainly typical kids. I have a full time TA because I do have some special needs kids in my class. I have a high functioning autistic student that I really enjoy working with. He's a big challenge, but I feel like I've made some big gains with him. Hopefully he's not slipping while I'm out.

Of course going back to school puts us at risk for catching something. I'll be hand washing like crazy.
Glad to hear you're making progress!

Do you still get full really quickly? When you overdo eating, does your wrap react? I seem to get some spasms and a kind of irritated feeling at the wrap location if I eat more than a little. I can really tell it when I overdo.

I'd love to hear details about your eating progress.
Thanks so much for telling me about your appointment!
Talk to you soon.
Denise
Posted 3/10/2009 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Denise,

My eating is going ok.  I had a bad time today.  My husband and I went out and I had a bowl of lemon rice soup with pita bread on the side.  I go about a quarter way through and the food felt stuck.  It really hurt.  I had to go to the restroom.  I could not get the food to go down or up.  It kind of scared me.  The problem is when that happens you can't get liquid down either.  That was the worst I have had it though.  Maybe I too ate too much.  A couple hours later I had some frozen yogurt (of course that had no problem going down).  It time I hope this all goes away.  The PA said it would.  

Maybe the food getting stuck it the wrap retracting.  I don't know.  I will keep you updated though.  I can't wait to eat better.  I would love a good salad but am afraid right now because salad won't disolve.

We will get there.  I will continue to keep your healing in my prayers.  Before we know it, we will be better then we've been in years.

Have a great night!!

Wendi

Posted 3/10/2009 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Wendi,
Thanks for sharing your eating experiences. I've heard that getting food stuck like that is a pretty common experience. I guess that when it happens, we have to relax, and just sip water or tea...tiny sips...until things dissolve and move. It must have felt good to successfully get the yogurt down afterwards. it's very unnerving to have something stuck like that.

I seem to be chewing things enough to not feel as if something is stuck (yet...I'm sure that's an inevitable occurrence as we experiment with eating new things), but after I eat something that is more solid/chewed though it is, my wrap feels irritated. Do you get the irritated feeling as well?

I agree...we'll get through this, and be better than ever. We really need to be patient, though...it's hard when there's all that great food out there waiting to be eaten! We're not that long post-op. Think we may be getting a little feisty???

My surgeon said that people get into trouble when they think, "I was able to eat this...so maybe I can try that?" and just take it one step too quickly. Easy for him to say, don't you think? He also said that when people have gotten into trouble, it's often because they forget for a moment, and swallow as they did before the surgery.

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts and good wishes. Right back at ya!
Talk to you soon!
Denise
Posted 3/10/2009 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys, I am scheduled for a nissan surgery in 2 weeks and I am scared. I left a message on another thread titled Nissan fundoplication. I have asthma which is gerd related. I am scared to death oflosing weight,swallowing, spasms etc I am petrified. I need to know some answers if any1 can email me @ [email protected] I will be very gracious and thankful!!!!
Posted 3/10/2009 1:06 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Beareilly,

The surgery is not that bad at all.  I am 13 day post surgery and hardly sore at all.  I had it done laproscopically.  I also had it done hoping the severe gerd was causing my ashma, breathing trouble. 

You will do alright.  Don't be afraid. 

If you want to e-mail me, I can be e-mailed at [email protected].

Stay positive, Wendi

Posted 3/10/2009 1:11 PM (GMT 0)

Denise,

It is hard to resist all those foods we can't eat.  I don't seem to know what the spasms are.  They may be the feeling I get which is when I think something is stuck.  I do chew my food up well but I find with breads is when this seems to happen.  I don't know what it is but it is very uncomfortable. 

I will keep plugging along.  The PA  also said it is good I bring mucus up.  I don't like it, but what can I do.  I just keep praying that will also improve with time.

Have  a wonderful day smilewinkgrin !

Wendi

Posted 3/10/2009 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
I agree...bready things are definitely more challenging for the wrap. Even when they're chewed to mush, they seem to be more sticky or something. Love the bready things, though!!!!

Yes...get the mucous up...otherwise it can get infected, and you don't want that. That's why you might need to nebulize...it opens things up so they come out.

My lungs feel better today for some reason. I go for a recheck with my doc this afternoon (family doc...he's the one who follows my lungs), so we'll see what he says.

I'm definitely able to eat a bit more now.

My rib are incision still hurts a bit, but nothing like it did.
The light at the end of the tunnel!
Heal Well!
Denise
Posted 3/10/2009 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Denise,

Good luck at the doctors. 

Yeah, my left side hurts inside and out.  It especially hurts when I take in a deep breath.  It is all improving though.  We will get through this. 

I am glad your lungs feel better.  I still get short of breath throughout the day.  It happens at rest.   I think it is from the mucous though.  One day at a time.

Talk to you soon!

Wendi

Posted 3/10/2009 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Just got back from the doc. He said that my lungs sound better. He wants to get me off some of the meds. He told me to only take the nebulizer when I feel I need it. He cut me back from 20 to 10mg prednosone. He cut me back to 40mg Protonix at night (just because of the assault of prednosone/antibiotics that are still stressing/irritating my stomach lining).

I've lost 12 pounds since the week before the surgery. To be understood...I'm not eating that much. I have it to lose, so that's not a problem. I lost most of it in the first week. I only lost 2 pounds this week--evidence that I'm eating better!

I don't know if I'll know when I "need" the nebulizer. I think he suspects that getting off some of the aerosol meds may help my lungs further. We definitely have to keep coughing that mucous up. Not fun. But it getting better, don't you think?

So good eating today! Have a good one. I'm going back to school next week half days. It's a good way to start. I have a TA, 2 college practicum students, and a student teacher starting on Monday, so I'll have lots of extra help and support. It should work really well. God willing...hopefully everything will continue to progress.

It really helps to have a fellow traveler in this recovery.
Thanks for keeping in touch,
Denise
Posted 3/12/2009 5:40 PM (GMT 0)

Denise,

How are you today.  I have had a lot better success with eating.  I still am very careful. 

I am feeling really good lately.  Still some mucous, shortness of breath, but overall feel really pretty great.  I keep on praying.  The time seems to be going by so slow.  I guess it is probably because I am anxious to heal. 

I hope your feeling good and your lungs continue to get better as mine.  Have a great day!!

Wendi

Posted 3/12/2009 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Wendi. My lungs are definitely better, but just like you, still have mucous and some tightness. Much better than before the surgery though. I've had some discomfort in the wrap area...irritation...and once today actually felt like I had a reflux/heartburn episode. Not huge, but enough to scare me.

Man, it's hard to relax and trust. It's a challenge! Worrying won't change a single thing. I've got to get into the present moment, and let things happen. What will be, will be.

What kinds of things are you eating? I've been able to chew and swallow quite a variety of things, and it's easy to tell when I've overdone it...Bready things--even when chewed to mush, seem to be a bit gluey when it hits the wrap. That is likely to cause spasms.

I'd love to hear what you're handling. I must say, I'm a bit sick of soup. I seem to be able to chew tender chicken pieces enough to get them down.

Take care and heal well!
Denise
Posted 3/12/2009 10:20 PM (GMT 0)

Denise,

I have had pizza chewed many, many times.  I had chicken tonight and it went well.  I do notice though with the bready things is where I have the most trouble.  I spoke with a friend who had gastric bypass years ago and he said he still has food get stuck sometimes, especially bread.

I have had some bowel issues and automatically think liver.  I am trying to stay on track but it can be hard.  I am praying so why am I worrying?  I don't know.

We will move ahead, and what will be, will be.  We will be just fine.

Wendi

Posted 3/13/2009 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
I had some pizza, too. It seems that with bread things (not crackers/toast, etc...that seems easier), no matter how much you chew, you end up with "glue", which just has trouble pushing though the wrap. That's when I feel like things are getting stuck.

I can eat lots of things, given they're chewed thoroughly. Sometimes it seems like the wrap is irritated, though. It feels kind of sore or "burny". I'm still finding Maalox really comforting, just to soothe my stomach and wrap. I'm still taking the stomach-ripping prednosone. I'm tapering, but I can't wait until I can get off it.

Don't worry about bowel issues...you've had a major revision of your GI tract. I'm having some diarrhea, but I think it's to be expected.
Thanks for sharing your recovery. It helps to work through these things with a fellow traveler!

Denise
Posted 3/15/2009 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
G'day everyone. My first time here and I wanted to share my story so that it hopefully may help someone in some capacity as well as to receive some support in this hard time.

Here's my deal.

I'm 30 and have been dealing with GERD for well over 5 years in a capacity that was fairly disruptive to my life. I have also been dealing with Sleep Apnea since 2002 (and possibly before). I'm slightly overweight (5'11" and 200 lbs) so all of this with my age and weight and everything is not your typical GERD/Apnea patient, but nevertheless.. i've been constantly fatigued and stressed for the greater part of my 20's. Something HAD to change.

After years of sleep studies, CPAP trials, Anti-Depressents, Anti-Anxiety Meds, holistic approaches, supplements, Excercise, etc etc etc My symptoms have not gotten any better, in fact, they've been getting progressively worse.

For Sleep Apnea i'm currently using a dental device that is working out quite well (please PM me if you would like more info). I've had sleep studies with it in and my apnea is reduced to a very minimal level, better than CPAP, especially because i'm 100% compliant.

However, I still feel fatigued and the reflux was getting BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD. THe bloating, the belching, the food coming up, shortness of breath, chest pain, you name it i had it. Except for Heartburn. I've been on Nexium 40mg/day in the morning 1hr before eating for the past 3 years and I havent had heartburn except for when I miss the med for more than 1 day. I had my first endoscopy 3 years ago that revealed a Hiatal Hernia and a stricture near the top of my espophogus (which they popped w/ a balloon). Before that endoscopy i was having a hard time swalling thick foods like Sandwhiches, Peanut Butter, etc. After the Endo it was night and day...

Fast Forward to 6 months ago. My GERD was getting unbearable and I revisited my GI doc and he suggested a series of tests to see where I was at. Tests included:

1. Endoscopy - Revealed Hiatal Hernia again and small stricture (they didnt do anything about that this time)

2. Abdominal CT Scan - Normal

3. Motility Test - Slightly under normal at my LES

4. 24Hour Wireless Bravo PH test - This i took after stopping nexium for 7 days and it was HELL. CONSTANT Heartburn and reflux. Report showed Severe Reflux..duh.

5. Plenty of Bloodwork - all set there i guess too

So, they basically told me that the Nissen procedure was my only option (or live with what i've been living with, so basically that wasnt an option because I was miserable). So, after much research on these forums and others, med sites, friends/family in the medical field, i decided to go ahead with it.

I had my Nissen Fundoplication with Hiatal Hernia Repair sugery done on Wednesday March 11th (4 days ago at time of writing this) and am now in the recovery phase. Here's what's been going on since.

- Day of surgery (Day 1) - My procedure was done Laproscopically and was done in just over 2 hours. Doctor said everything went great actually he found a little Diverticulum (pocket?) towards the bottom of my esophagus. He said he just wrapped around that and everything else was pretty textbook. He said that if that went untreated that could have caused some major issues if that had teared. It was nice to receive some confirmation that this was a good choice. He also said he uses a presized tube shaped thingie that he wraps around to make sure the opening is uniform and doesnt get too tite or loose. HE said he's done between 130 to 150 of these procedures. He's a General Surgeon / Vasular Surgeon that's been in the field for..well, he looks like he's in his 60's so i can imagine quite a while. He came highly regarded by the hospital as well as my girlfriend who works directly with him as his OR Nurse.

Anyways. After I woke up from surgery i was in some pretty bad pain, which my Morphine PAC was able to deal with pretty well. I pretty much just slept and took very very small sips of water. I had to get up every hour to take urinate and it took between 5-15 minutes to get out about 300ml. I had to sit down and pee into a girl pee catcher..heh. They said this is a side effect of having to have a catheter in during surgery. My throat was sore also from the intubation. The first night in the hospital i got NO sleep at all between all the pee trips, forced walks around the floor and hourly vital checks and requests for water, gasX, etc. Oh yeah, they had to ORDER GasX and it took 4 hours.. nice.

- Day 2 - (Day After Surgery) woke up after about a whole 1 hour of sleep (if that) and had to take another walk and get some more vitals. I was still having a hard time peeing so they gave me a straight cathetar and drained 800ml of pee out of me. WHOA! I was only getting 50ml of saline per hour (for 8 hours = 400ml) and drank 1/2 c of water ALL NIGHT. It dont add up! I also peed 4 more times at 300ml each by the afternoon.. what the!? My pain really was focused around my stomach (incisions) and back (from the bed) and morphine was helping quite well with that. I didnt want to overuse it so i pressed the happy button only 4-5 times. I had about 5 teaspoons of vanilla ice cream, another 1/2 C of water and about 1/4 C of apple juice all day until about 8pm when I was released (doc did his rounds and released my home with my nurse girlfriend. Probably wouldnt have happened otherwise since i wasnt eating anything). I was finally able to pee OK though and i actually farted a couple times and burped a few times and wasnt in any significant pain so i was comfortable with going home. No way i wanted to sleep in that bed another night! I got home and took a hot bath, took some gasx, 1/2 C of water and went to bed - slept like a baby, probably because i was so exhausted from not sleeping the night before

- Day 3 woke up feeling OK, still pretty sore around the midsection and very carefully and slowly moving around, getting up, sitting down, etc. Spent the day pretty much laying on the couch watching movies and playing video games. Couldnt really focus on anything other than the discomfort of swallowing. Here's the worst thing that's been happening to me since surgery. I CANT SWALLOW! even SMALL sips of water feel like they're getting STUCK. WaTER! i took my nexium with water and it took everything i had to relax and allow it to go down. Painful and very uncomfortable but it went down eventually. Small sips of water throughout the day. I even braved it and had some chicken broth for lunch. Very tastey! about 1/2 C of that. I was able to drink 1/2 C of Apple juice too, but still very painful. The doc sent me home with Roxicet (liquid percuset) but I have yet to be in pain enough to take that. It's VERY good medication for pain and i would HIGHLY recommend you request this from your doc if you are in pain after surgery because anything in pill form is NOT COOL! I had my girlfriend buy me some liquid Motrin (kids) and tried to take 2 T of that. I ended up regurtitating one of them, kinda scary but i guess it's to be expected. I am also BURPING after EVERY attempt at ingesting liquids. In fact, i cant lay back down until i burp. I have to kinda pat my chest in order to work it out. It doesnt HURT per se but it's very uncomfortable until it happens. Took another hot shower and was able to go to bed no problem. I actually drank 1/2 of a Boost before giving up on it but i need the nutrients and protein.

Before i went to bed i weight myself. I started off at 200lbs, I'm not down to 188! Eesh! That's 3lbs / day! All water weight i'm sure and I certainly had it to lose so like most people this is a welcome side effect..pretty much the only one. Oh, and still no poop...weird..

- Day 4 - Woke up again this AM and felt a BIT better. I decided to test my eating progress and i'm able to get down water a SLIGHT bit better today, which is encouraging. I'm trying to stay patient and positive. Still burping after every sip. No straws i know! I'm gunna try jello today and finish that boost drink. Oh yeah! I pooped finally! I actually high fived myself... i know..

So, that's it for now. I know, long story but i figured if i got pretty detailed people could relate a little better and it kinda serves as a sorta blog for me to document my progress and keep my mind positive.

So, moral of the story.

1. Do your research before surgery

2. Find a GOOD Doctor that's done AT LEAST 100 of these

3. After surgery, plan to lose 10% of your weight and only eat LIQUIDS for 1-2 weeks

4. Ask for ROXICET! (it's liquid gold)

5. Stash some GASX in your bag for when you're in the hospital cuz the dumb nurses wont get it to you for hours

6. be patient and positive

7. visit these forums and focus on the POSITIVE energy, there's a lot of negative crap out there to focus on, but it's good to see people who come back when things are going well and not just the people who are having problems. If you find yourself doing well, please check in every so often to spread some good news around, there can never be enough.

Ok, so i'll keep ya posted. off to eat a delectable lunch, chicken broth! (I ate a HUGE steak and Potatoe dinner the night before surgery as my LAST meal..heh)

till next time!

Keith

 

Posted 3/15/2009 4:31 PM (GMT 0)

Keith,

It sounds like things are definitely moving in the right direction for you.  That is great.  I am 18 days post Nissend and doing well.  They say it takes awhile before you can tell if lung funtion improves (my biggest complaint pryor to surgery).  I am trying to take it one day at a time.  My incisions have healed wonderfully.  I hardly have any soreness from the surgery left.  I am on a somewhat normal diet, but have trouble  with food getting stuck on occasion. 

Happy healing to you

Posted 3/15/2009 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much. My girlriend and roomate are KILLING me right now by cooking steaks on the grill! Ahh! And i'm looking forward to some egg drop soup..heh.

Mostly i'm hopeful that I will be able to play sports (Softball, Golf) as vigorously as I was before the surgery. At 200 lbs i wasnt so agile but i hope I can regain at least what I had.

How long did it take people to get to sports? Golf and Softball in particular. Spring's coming here in New Hampshire and I got the itch!
Posted 3/15/2009 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Keith,
Congratulations on getting to the other side of the surgery...and on your great attitude. Keep that going. Attitude is everything with this surgery. Struggling against the recovery only makes it more difficult.

I know your swallowing is tough right now. You need to take it slowly. Probably the little diverticulum adds a little more challenge to your esophagus. If your pre-surgery motility study showed no problems, you should do fine, once the swelling goes down. I've heard that the esophagus is sometimes "sleepy" after the surgery, and takes a little while to get moving. Lots of people experience the problems you're describing.

I had the surgery on February 27th. Swallowing has been up and down...at times I've gotten spasms, that triggered my mouth to make some really thick saliva--too thick and too much to want to swallow--especially when you're having swallowing problems. I don't know if that will happen to you, but if it does, it's normal. Sometimes my wrap has trouble getting things through...actually even water sits on top of it and kind of drizzles in over time!

I'm on Day 17 post Nissen, and today for dinner I had a crock-pot prepared stew that was cooked for HOURS. Because of that, even the meat was totally chewable to total liquid. It was very nutritious, with carrots, onion, and potatoes. You might enjoy something like that, once you start swallowing and can eat soft/mushy food. You'll get your beef!


We will get there...back to eating normally. I'm totally with you on the horrible forums out there with people blaming every possible problem they have on the Nissen surgery. I was very scared to do the surgery, and put it off for years. As it turns out, it's not bad at all. It has been a pleasant surprise.

I was supposed to go back to work tomorrow, but there's an influenza epidemic going around in the schools (I'm a second grade teacher), and my doctor won't release me. He wants me to stay home two more weeks to avoid all that sickness. Post Nissen, you DON'T want to get a serious upper respiratory illness...coughing could do my wrap and hernia repair in. And heaven forbid if I should get a stomach virus. Throwing up (which I can't do) would put tremendous pressure on the repair, and undo everything. Not a pleasant thought.

I've heard of people getting back to golf pretty quickly. Your surgeon will be the best person to answer those sports questions. I'll bet it'll be faster than you think. Good luck with your recovery, and hope your swallowing progresses quickly. Be sure to post an update!
Denise
Posted 3/15/2009 11:26 PM (GMT 0)

Denise,

How are you?  I have had a terrible time with breathing today.  My right lung hurts from trying to catch my breath so many times.  I am not really sure what is going on.  I am getting a bit frustrated.  Everytime I feel I am moving forward I move two steps back.  I went to Urgent Care yesterday and ended up with a bladder infection.  Sometimes it seems to be never ending.  I keep praying though.  I am sorry to vent but I just needed to.

Enjoyed a good potluck meal at church tonight.  As long as I chewed well I was able to eat most anything.  Let me know how it is going for you.

Take Care, Wendi

Posted 3/16/2009 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wendi,
I'm glad to hear from you. My asthma is persisting as well. I have that one place in the middle of my chest...when I breath ALL the way out, I get a big wheeze through the entire expiration. I'm still getting mucous out, but it's hard to bring it up. It doesn't seem infected, though. It's light colored and not too thick.

I'm taking albuterol before taking my inhalers. I learned a technique from an asthma class I took. I use a spacer, too, which makes it more effective. I take a puff of albuterol, wait ten minutes, then take another. I wait at least ten minutes after that as well...before taking my Serevent and Flovent. It makes the meds work better.

If you're having that much trouble with your lungs, you need to be taking some inhaled meds. Are you? It would be worth checking that out, I think. It's not good to have mucous trapped in your lungs.

Frustration is part of this recovery, I'm afraid. It's definitely a forward/backward progression. I believe I've been pushing my stomach by eating too much quantity. I'm going to move back, starting today. When I push my stomach, I find I experience more discomfort. This morning I had another "reflux" feeling, which is very disconcerting.

I did have a great dinner last night (ate too much, so I am learning from that). I made stew in my crock pot...I cooked it for HOURS, and it was so done and soft that I even could eat the stew beef. It chewed to total liquid. It was DELICIOUS. What a treat. Over the weekend we ate out, and I ordered a mac and cheese dish. I handled it fine, but ate too much. Also, I think the noodles could have been cooked a bit more.

News about going back to work. My doctor hasn't cleared me. We have an influenza epidemic going through schools here, and he wants me to wait two more weeks before going back, in hopes that things settle down by then. I feel so guilty to be leaving my kids for so long. My principal and superintendent are totally supportive and agree with my doctor. They want me back 100% without worrying that I'll be setting myself up for even worse problems. So there we are. I've got to practice patience and acceptance! I'm doing a lot of work from here...planning and creating materials. I'm not bored, that's for sure.

I'm sorry about your bladder infection. Probably a result of the catheter during surgery? Also, we probably aren't drinking enough. Better keep drinking lots of water.

You take care of yourself, and keep in touch. It's great to have a fellow traveler on this journey!
Stay positive...surrender to the process...this too will pass.
Talk to you soon!
Denise
Posted 3/16/2009 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Denise,

Thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement. The world could use more people like you ;) I actually went through a pretty rough anxiety patch a few months back and landed on the anxiety and depression forums and (lexapro part) and found a really kind soul who helped me through getting on lexapro and over a really really tough time (tougher than this by 10x). It's absolutely momumental to have good, positive people to talk to when you're going through something like this and it's especially helpful to talk to people who've been through the same thing. So, again, I appreciate you and everyone here for listening and supporting me and everyone else here. I can only promise to be as helpful as I can by coming back as often as possible to give some updates.

(i tend to talk alot..heh)

Welp, today...swallowing is a tad better than yesterday, but not much, but forward is forward. I was able to drink a full 8oz Boost drink today so that was good. I also took my first long walk today. 1 mile, 1/2 hour. It felt good and not too strenuous. Down about 14 lbs now. I took a nice hot shower and shaved and threw on some regular clothes to try to feel like i'm not just all sick and laying around on the couch all grubby and grumpy. I recommend this as it certainly helps you "Feel" a little more normal.

I still feel a little out of it and weak, for sure, and can't concentrate on anything for more than 10 minutes or so, but that's improving each day as well. I'm now enjoying a 100 Calorie can of Sliced Peaches in light syrup and they're going down OK. about 1 minute in between bites. Dang Bobby Flay is makin Grilled Flank Steak and Chicken Pesto Quesadillas... I love the Food Network but this is like torture..heh.

Other weird symptoms i've been experiencing is I get hot after eating..kind sweaty and clammy, which is kinda weird. I dont know if my digestive track is just on overload or what but i'm trying to eat slow to give it time to work. I ate my soup yesterday (1 C broth plus 1 Egg and 1 T Parm Cheese and i felt pretty full afterwards. I think that's about my limit right about now.

My chest seems to feel..i dont know how to put it..."Raw"? "Irritated"?.. very dull pain/discomfort that feels better after belching but seems to linger even after that. Kinda feel like it's a lung thing. I've been fairly mucousy too but nothing i can't swallow back down.

Small pings and pangs here and there but nothing that i dont think is normal from what i hear about gas moving. Been passing gas and burping pretty regularly (especially after each bite/sip).

It feels like things are moving along... slowly....but surely.

till next time!

stay positive.

Posted 3/16/2009 7:06 PM (GMT 0)

Denise,

Thanks for getting back with me.  I have been using my albuterol inhaler.  I am going to the Ashma allergy doctor on April 8th.  If I continue to have these issues I am going to call them sooner.  I wonder if the weather change here in Michigan is part of the problem.  I am trying to stay positive. 

I too have been eating too much.  I think after going without for some time, I feel I missed out.  I don't think it's a good idea to overeat.  The doctor had said it is very important not to stretch your stomach.  I know what you are talking about about breathing.  It hurts me when I breath in especially when I am lying down.  I have been trying to use an airflow to strengthen my lungs too (the gadget you suck air out  of).  I have improved significantly since surgery.  I was thinking the other day that my lungs felt better.  Yesterday though I started having trouble.  I hope this is all part of the healing process.  There has to be light at the end of the tunnel.

Hope your breathing gets better.

Talk to you soon,

Wendi

Posted 3/16/2009 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wendi and Keith,
I'll post to you both here...but separately...It's great to have fellow travelers to work through this with...
Posted 3/16/2009 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Wendi,
This breathing thing is a struggle. Do you have allergies? I'm worried with all this warm weather that the trees will start pollinating soon--then I'm in trouble. That's the biggest reason I had the surgery in February--to give myself time to heal before allergy season kicks in!

I'm glad to hear that you've got albuterol. Do you have any inhaled steroid drugs? You should definitely reschedule your asthma doctor. Call today, and see if you can get in earlier. You need someone to help you through the breathing thing. I have my family doctor covering me in that regard (I have an appointment with my asthma doc in a few weeks)--also my stomach irritation issues/prednosone. I'm going tomorrow for a recheck. He's the one keeping me out of school for another two weeks. Hard to accept, but I'm sure it's the right thing. I wanted to be able to go in for just meetings (CSE's, etc) but my principal said no way. She doesn't want me around people in school, period.

I still go out, but I told my husband--only on off times...when there aren't any big crowds. No point in not going to work, then exposing yourself to the flu virus out in public.

I think I have been stretching my stomach. You're right when you say it's hard to not eat more. Now that my stomach can accept a bit more food, it's tempting to push it. I'm making a concerted effort to limit quantities. I'd rather eat two small meals that get uncomfortably full at one.. Not to say that I can eat that much anyway, but more than I could a week ago, that's for sure.

Can you get walking? I have a treadmill, and have been hopping on that throughout the day. Today I got outside for a walk which felt wonderful. Walking really gets your lungs moving as well.

I just pray that this wrap will work. I hope the feelings I'm having are just the healing process and not an indication that I'm one of the Nissen failures. It's one of those things...you can't see it, so you always wonder.

Like I said...we've got to stay in the NOW and stay positive. Don't let those nagging doubts get started. If I feel a thought like that coming into my head...I'll be chasing it out. SURRENDER. It's a good thing. We're going to be healthier than ever, once we get through this healing process. For goodness sake, it's been less than 3 weeks! We had a MAJOR revision of our GI tract. We knew it would be a long term recovery. The surgical recovery is great...it's the GI tract that's a challenge. I've had much worse with a severe GERD/burned esophagus. I have to remember that.
Maalox is very soothing to me. My doctor gave me carafate, which I'm taking as well (it coats your stomach). Once I'm off the prednosone, it should help my stomach feel better. I just hope it doesn't send my lungs over the edge.

Wendi, I think you're sounding great. Relax, enjoy your time at home, get up and moving for those lungs and mental attitude, and be sure to keep in touch here! I love to talk to you. It should really help others understand that the recovery is very manageable. We're on the road to recovery, Girl. Don't ever forget that! Enjoy your time out of work...before we know it, we'll be back in the swing, and it'll feel like we were never gone!

Keep in touch.
Denise
Posted 3/16/2009 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Keith,
You're a great addition to this forum. Your positive, can-do attitude is great. You're only a few days post-op! Everyone is different on swallowing and eating issues. It sounds like you're definitely within the normal range. It is torture watching food on TV! The Lobsterfest at Red Lobster is killer for me. Don't watch the Food Channel! It'll make you too hungry!

I'm at Day 18, and my stomach can tolerate larger quantities of food already. Not pre-Nissen amounts, but more than a week ago. The only problem is that the temptation is to overeat. I really think that is a danger...stretching the stomach is something that we should not do. Those of us who LOVE to eat, do find it hard to eat those small amounts...but it's really important to our recovery.

I'm glad to have an enforced diet, though. I had a few pounds to lose. (I also lost about 14 pounds so far.) Hopefully as I recover I can maintain the weight I lose. I've heard that we'll always get full faster--not like now, but faster than before. That's a good thing. I tend to want to be a glutton!

I don't know about the clammy feeling you're experiencing...I would guess it has to do with your worry over the swallowing. Your head can make your body do some pretty strange things. It actually sounds like you're coming along really well. Peaches! Good job! Don't be surprised if you go backwards a bit with your swallowing. My surgeon said that for the first two weeks the wrap gets progressively more swollen, so it can get harder to push things through. After the two weeks, the swelling start going down, so hopefully swallowing will move more consistently forward, without so many backward steps.

It's good to hear you enjoy walking. That will go a long way towards getting your strength back. It's great for your mental attitude as well. Getting showered and dressed is good, too. Thank goodness for low-rise jeans...they don't hit any of the incisions!


The raw, irritated chest discomfort is normal. That will last for a while...I'm still experiencing it. I find Maalox very soothing. You might try it.
Be thankful you can burp...it makes a huge difference in comfort level. Some people get very uncomfortable with bloating and gas. It's funny how you said that people should take Gas-X to the hospital. I second that! It was like pulling teeth to get it.

Take care and keep that positive attitude. You're going to do great!
Denise
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