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Nissen fundoplication - Hiatal Hernia Repair

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Posted 4/9/2010 7:30 AM (GMT 0)

HI

I am almost 3 weeks out from having a Hiatus Hernia Repair.   I am still on a soft diet, however, I have been eating some chicken and soft casserole meat but have been chewing and chewing and chewing before swallowing.  I was suffering with severe reflux before the op but now I have what I think is heartburn.  I'm really confused because I thought that wasn't meant to happen after the op.  When I eat anything that isn't liquid or take any medication, it just seems to sit on my chest and won't go down.  I feel like I have a lot of gas in my osphegaus and feel like I need to burp but can't.  It's very frustrating.  Has anyone else experienced this post op?  Sometimes when I swallow, I also get a huge pain in my shoulder blades.

My Dr told me that the Operation would take about 60 minutes but when I paid the anaesthetic bill, they told me the operation went for 2hrs and 15minutes.  I see my Dr next week so will be interested as to why it took so long.......any ideas? 

I would really like some feedback if you too have had a Nissen Fundoplication.

Thanks

Posted 4/9/2010 9:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nette,
I think two hours is a very common duration for the surgery. You're just 3 weeks out, and your wrap is still swollen, so as my doctor said, pretty much anything is possible. Yes, I did have some "heartburn" symptoms during my recovery, and I can understand it is frightening. It puts the idea into your head that maybe the surgery has failed, and you've been through all this for nothing. It's not at all uncommon to get some of that type of pain post-op. I've actually been told that it's possible that it isn't actually heartburn, but that the esophagus is a "dumb organ" and interprets any type of pain as heartburn.

As far as the eating, my surgeon had me on solid foods after 5 days, so I think you're right on there. His advice was to eat anything that could be "chewed to a liquid". Just take small bites, and chew chew chew. You're doing great!
Be sure to stay with us, and be sure to ask questions and share your experiences with healing.
We're here to support you and provide information. There are a lot of people here who have had the surgery, and are glad to share their experiences!
Take care!
Denise
Posted 4/9/2010 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nette, I had my surgery on 3/1/2010 and I noticed I took a turn for the better right around the 3-4 weeks. I think the swelling went down and that helped a lot with the pain and spasms when I would eat. I still have to be careful how much of a "gulp" I take when I drink. It sounds strange but when I swallow liquids I put my chin to my chest and I don't get any pain.

I have what seems to be heartburn/pain also, I do wonder myself if this surgery was worth it but hopefully things will straighten out after the 2 month mark like others are saying.

I still get nauseated in the morning, I take the anti nausea medicine still.

I just get very annoyed at how I feel, I actually feel worse than I did before the surgery.

Keep us posted on how you are doing!!!
Posted 4/9/2010 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome,
I had a 270 degree wrap done during Christmas season. At the time frame you are at I was still eating mostly liquids. I could chew vienna sausages and saltines. I was able to eat very toasted bread with a thin layer of peanut butter. I also enjoyed cheese grits.

You're further along on the eating than I was.

Joy
Posted 4/10/2010 9:04 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Denise, Mam and Joy for your positive words. I will certainly keep you posted as to how I am going. Looking forward to a coffee at some stage. I have been on Decaf Tea since the operation. I see the Dr on Wed so will let you know how I go. Thank you so much.
Posted 4/10/2010 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck, Nette. We'll look forward to hearing what your doc has to say. Feel free to ask any question that comes to mind. We'll do our best to share our own experience and provide information and support.
Take care,
Denise
Posted 7/6/2010 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
I JUST HAS SURGERY ON 6/2/10 I AM SO SICK I NEED HELP I CANNOT EAT  AT ALL  IT FEELS LIKE IT IS STUCK ALSO MY SHOULDER HURTS AND  I AM SO SORE HOW LONG BECAUSE I AM SO HUNGREY RIGHT NOW  PLEASE SOMEBODY TELL ME MORE about THIS

 

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 7/6/2010 5:01:03 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/6/2010 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Woodworker,


Helo and welcome to HealingWell. We ask that you take the time to introduce yourself in a new thread This is easily done. Simply click on the "New Topic" button and the program will open a box for you to post your intro. This will help members see your first post and extend a hand to you.



Also per rule 15. No SHOUTING. Remember, using ALL CAPITAL LETTERS in posts is considered yelling and rude, plus it is difficult to read.



I know you will be hearing from the members in a timely fashion if you have your own thread ~ Thank You.



Kitt
Posted 7/7/2010 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
 hello my name is letta and i had nissen fundoplication  on 6-2-10 and i have been not able to eat  and it feels like everytime i eat it getting stuck and feels like i want to burp also my shoulders blades hurts do anyone feels this way after surgery can you tell me and also give me some of the things you have eaten that help you thanks
Posted 7/7/2010 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
1. chew very slowly and drink water to push the food down.
2. If solid food is giving you trouble, go back to full liquids.
3. Vienna sausages are great protein sources and very mushy.
4. Allow time for food to go down. allow 30-40 seconds between mouthfuls.

I ate grits, venna sausages, crackers, crushed pineapple, soups, broth, jello, puddings, popicles, and mashed noodles.

Joy
Posted 7/7/2010 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
 thanks joy i will try that my dr called me back and he wants me to have a barium swallow test but he insured me that the spichtler is not too tight

 so thanks again i will keep you posted be bless

Posted 7/7/2010 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
Nette, Mam and Wordworker -

You are still in the just-out-of-surgery phase of recovery. It's really too early to be eating anything solid until 6 weeks or so! I was still having just a 1/4 cup of liquid at a month. I needed to eat every hour or two. I had to crush all pills or take liquid pain meds. I was on senna to keep things moving at the other end too. It took over 4 months to start feeling better than before surgery.

My surgery was about 5 hours. It was a good bit longer than a simple fundoplication because my stomach was stuck in my chest and there was a very large hernia to close. I needed pain meds for 2 months just for that. (Still take meds for fibro and arthritis).

I was on acid meds for 2 weeks, then allowed to try going off. That's normal. It takes 2-3 months at least for swelling to go down. Mine took 3. I couldn't swallow anything normally all that time! Even 4 months was not normal. So don't rush to think anything didn't work or you need the new valve stretched. That will only undo the nice new valve you have!

You aren't going to be able to burp much, if at all, ever. That's one of the things they don't really tell us. They mention it in passing but don't tell us that we need to eat foods that don't produce gas (google lists) to prevent bloating. A lot of the pain in the abdomen is gas in the loop of the large intestine that comes up right under the diaphragm. Before surgery we burped swallowed gas, even if we didn't think we were burpers!! Now that gas adds to the intestinal load and causes pain. So no sodas, ever! My diet has changed from potatoes to rice, which does not produce gas, and no broccoli or beans.

I had a barium swallow 1 day post-op. That is standard - to see if there is any leaking. They'll also see if there is any air or fluid under the diaphragm.

It sounds like things are going normally for all of you. If you still can't swallow after 3 months, do start asking about it, but it can take even 4 months to get back to eating.
Posted 7/8/2010 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
 thanks alice and  joy for helping me out  tomorrow is the barium swallow will keep you all posted
Posted 7/9/2010 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
 hello this is wordworker just giving a update i went to have a baruim swallow today they said everything is find but i am still feeling like when i eat its getting stuck do anyone have any suggestions on what is i should be eating and how to eat it  to make this matter bettter thanks
Posted 7/9/2010 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
just stay on liquids for now. it can be full liquids, like ice cream, etc. Nothing that does not melt in your mouth, most important thing is to stay hydrated and get some protein drinks, The swelling takes time to go down. I am 8 weeks out and am only now starting to take in more solid foods. And some things still "stick". I am still staying away from hard crunchy things. My doc told me it will take a while to be back to some normalcy and even then it always be in smaller and more frequent amounts. So just go slow and know this will take time.
Posted 7/10/2010 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
I'm at six months and spagetti noodles with stick sometimes. Give it time.

Joy
Posted 7/10/2010 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
 thanks everyone today wen to the dr for my post op app and he said everything is fine just stay on soft foods for another month i am feeling like this surgery did not help its hard cause  i am hungrey and upset about not eating so please pray for me tonite it feels like something is stuck
Posted 7/10/2010 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Get you some protein drinks. It will go down.

Joy
Posted 7/11/2010 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
 hello this is wordworker i want to know whats the best protein drinks out there also  do anyone know how long will it take to get back to eating a hamburger or just regular food  i am going intodepression i am hungrey and  frighten to eat or swallow  i am still crushing up pills  its when i eat something when it hit  it feels like something is really stuck what is that then i get all worked up
Posted 7/11/2010 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Boost, muscle milk, ensure, and slimfast are loaded with protein. You can also drink broth or jello.

Joy
Posted 7/11/2010 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
 thanks joy
Posted 7/12/2010 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
 hello this is wordworker i has surgery on june 29th i am not doing well with this eating thing somethings i eat i vomit it up or it feels like its getting stuck this surgery has been hard for me anyone out here that had the surgery and experience the same thing how long will it take to eat like i used to and what to do as of now i am depressed i feel like something is wrong  i love to eat i am tired of broth pudding  and  ic cream please i need your help thanks wordworker
Posted 7/12/2010 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
 

Hi WordWorker,

This is Marie.

It seemed that your wrap is good and tight and puddy and icecream seem to go down with no problem. You should give it some time. The healing is still at work -so don't rush it.

Don't try to swallow something hard or test something with the wrap while you are still on your early stage of recovery. Actually, don't try to test the wrap!

As long as pudding and liquid is going down - I think it will heal and you will swallow better over time. All the people here give you good advice!

I had my nissen as well - I was on full liquid for a few weeks. I chew thing into liquid - into water  format before I do a swallow - small swallow. I mean I guess I can eat a big chunk of steak and swallow and see what happen... but I don't want to test that. I don't want to damage the wrap.

Everything for me is H20 - liquid format - after all, our stomach doesn't have teeth *Smile*

I eat every 2-3 hrs - liquid format.

I don't want to eat something hard or too fast and cause more damage to the wrap - the stitch can come undo - and that will be bad!

Take care

Marie

 

Posted 7/12/2010 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
 thanks marie that really helped me today i was able to eat some top ramen  but i had to go slow and chew it  also is it because i am still swollen in there  and will  i ever be able to eat fried chicken  later  man i love fried chicken  thanks again be bless
Posted 7/12/2010 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
A food processor can be your best friend.
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