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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/10/2010 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
I'm home and was so happy the Dr. was able to do the surgery with the laprascope since I had had traditional gall bladder surgery years ago. When I woke up in recovery, pain was not bad but later in my room, had trouble getting pain under control. I only slept a couple hours and was a very frustrating night. The X-Rays and trying to lay on the table after drinking that horrible stuff was the worst part of the experience. By the time I was finally able to eat as had only been allowed ice chips, I had been 32 hours with no food. Forced myself to slow down. It just seems to "catch" in my throat and that could be from the breathing tube as is still very sore. Been gargling with warm salt water.
I got a full liquid meal and handled that OK. Now I'm sticking to very soft foods. The only thing the Dr said to completely stay away from for several weeks is meat and bread. My only problem is, every single thing I eat goes straight through me. Does anyone else have that problem? I had to call Dr to make sure it was OK to take Immodium which he said was OK. But I am thrilled that I've been able to drink cranberry juice and ate a little salsa just to flavor my scrambled eggs and no heartburn! Am taking it very slow though. Chewing extra well and eating slowly. Can't wait till I can try my favorite pizza place which haven't been able to eat at for nearly 8 months. My goal though is to be able to eat snowcrab with butter LOL! Know that may take awhile but I can wait!
Posted 9/10/2010 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome home from your surgery and I am glad to read you are on track as far as healing.  I know you will be hearing from the others re some of your questions.  I just wanted to say hello this morning.  :-)
Posted 9/10/2010 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Catlady,
It sounds like you did great! Welcome to the Wrapped Club! Your surgeon gave you the same directions as mine did. Take small bites, chew to liquid, and eat anything but meat (mine specifically said steak) and soft bread. I loved that advice. It made the recovery so much easier to take. I wasn't looking forward to drinking my meals for weeks. Your stomach won't be able to take much quantity in the beginning, so don't be surprised.

What you're experiencing is "dumping", which is a result of your stomach rebelling after the trauma you've put it through. It is something that will come an go as you recover. With me it comes with loud gurgling. When I was at work and it started, people thought I was extremely hungry, and offered me something to eat!

It will calm down and is nothing to worry about. For me it's very rare at this point. If I eat or drink things that are very irritating to my stomach or wrap, I know I'm in for a bout. It doesn't bother me at all. Actually since the wrap, I say I have a "potpourri of poo"--the consistency changes daily. It's a small price to pay for the improvement in your quality of life.

I don't know if your surgeon told you, but for the next two weeks your wrap will become increasingly swollen, then begin to subside. Don't be surprised if your swallowing becomes more difficult, and don't worry about it. It will pass.

If you have any questions AT ALL about what's happening to you, or how you might better handle anything, be sure to post away. There are lots of great members here who have been through exactly what you're going through. Congrats on the laprascopic surgery!

Take care, rest, take small bites, chew, chew chew, and don't worry! Try to follow the directions your recovery takes. If you can relax into it, and surrender to its path, you will have a much easier recovery. It's when we start struggling against what is, that the recovery becomes difficult.
Glad you've become a member of our exclusive club!
Have a great day,
Denise
Posted 9/10/2010 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
I also experienced this very early on. I don't remember how many days, but it shouldn't last too long.
Feel better soon!
Stacey
Posted 9/13/2010 7:15 AM (GMT 0)
I'm just a bit concerned because certain foods are still giving me heartburn - he said I wouldn't have any heartburn. I had some orange sherbet and just one spoon of peanut butter and had terrible heartburn. Had to turn back to TUMS and Carafate again. I just wanted to cry. I thought this was the whole reason for this surgery so I don't have to take any of these meds anymore. He had told me not to take the Protonix or Carafate anymore. Also had a casserole that had just bit of tomato in it and that too set me off. I'm so depressed about this. Going to call his office in the morning.
Posted 9/13/2010 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
I read the posting from the lady who is also newly post Nissen and I am nearly in tears right now - I'm wondering if all this was worth it - my throat is so sore and my voice is hoarse. The pain from the gas is mostly gone due to a little machine they gave me from the hospital but wish I could speak to someone on a live chat line. Reading though that the esophagus interprets foods as pain right now is somewhat comforting. I will try to drink more water to help flush it through. The Dr didn't tell me it may become more swollen in the first 2 weeks though. I am planning on going back to work on Sept 20 and I had surgery Sept 7 but may consider going back half days only because it's really painful to sit for very long especially with regular clothes on - right now wearing very casual shorts or sweats and we can't wear those to work. Plus been putting an ice pack wrapped in a towel on my abdomen when it gets really painful and that helps a bit. I just don't seem to be getting the support I need from my Dr's office and am feeling really panicked.
Posted 9/13/2010 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Catlady,

I responded to your other post.  Remember when reading other member's experiences,  we are all individuals and that means each of us heals at different rates and have our own unique problems so try not to let what you read scare you. 

The members here are sharing their own experiences and that does not mean it will be the same as yours or yours the same as theirs. 

Please go slowly and keep yourself busy to keep your mind off worrying.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 9/13/2010 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Catlady,
As Kitt said, everyone's recovery is unique, so try not to panic over reading other people who are having difficulties.

You JUST had the surgery, and you've got a lot of healing still to do. I would urge you to discuss continuing with PPI's and Carafate through your early stages of recovery. You can talk to your GI doc or surgeon, and I'm sure they will find no problem in you doing that.

I can guarantee you that your wrap will become increasingly swollen over the first two weeks. That's a given. My surgeon didn't tell me that until I saw him for a post-op visit at Day 5. It was news to me, but knowing it made it easier to understand what was happening. He said that my swallowing would get worse before it got better. Each day is a new experience at this point in your recovery.

It's likely that you were experiencing lots of inflammation before the surgery, and that hasn't had a chance to heal yet. I was told that the esophagus is a dumb organ, and interprets anything as heartburn. Try to drink some water or warm tea after eating anything, to help it get through your newly formed and still healing wrap.

If I were you, I'd grab that Carafate, and allow it to coat your esophagus and wrap, so you can get some relief. Surgeons say a lot of things. They haven't been through the surgery, and don't know first-hand the challenges. While every recovery is different, we all experience some things that are the same.

I would be willing to bet that your "heartburn" is actually esophageal irritation. You may very well have some food sitting at the bottom of your esophagus, waiting to get through. As it breaks down, it is very irritating.

Please, please try not to panic. You've got a lot of healing to do, and if you can just follow along as your recovery leads the way, rather than struggling against it, you'll have a much better experience.

You are in the very beginning stages of healing. Believe me, I understand your panic about having heartburn. We are always worried that our wrap won't work, and that we've done all this for nothing. Many people experience those same sensations and worries.

Just realize that you've got to be patient, and give your newly revised GI tract a chance to heal and get up and running again.

We're all here for you.
Hang in there!
Any questions? Ask away, and we'll do our best to answer.
Until then, relax, and don't even think of going back to work!
Denise
Posted 9/13/2010 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
PS--My surgeon also said that I could indeed get some heartburn in the first stages of recovery, since the wrap is swollen, and hasn't settled into place yet.
Relax and rest. Give your body a chance to readjust. You had a big deal surgery on the inside, even though you can't see it on the outside!
Posted 9/13/2010 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
I know why you were burning...peanut butter...orange sherbert

The peanut butter sticks in your esophagus causing irritation.
Orange sherbert is citrus. That's acidic.
Try to stick to bland foods until the swelling goes down.
Posted 9/14/2010 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice - I've just been soooo sick of soup and oatmeal and bland foods. I wanted to try out the new wrap and was overly eager - what I really wanted to eat and really glad I didn't was a homemade tamale with green chili and cheese. Currently every place I go, they are roasting chilis and the smell is driving me nuts. I haven't eaten green chili in almost a year and want some so badly but know at this point it would be a sure fire way to pain. As much as I hate it, for dessert tonight I will have jello with a little whipped cream.
Posted 9/14/2010 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you're having difficulties. :( I can't relate yet as my surgery isn't on the 29th but at my consultation my surgeon did say that I may have some bouts of heartburn in the beginning and it would be difficult to swallow until my ring has relaxed into place and has had time to heal.

I was surprised you were allowed any food at all yet. I'm wondering how many others were allowed. My surgeon said only liquid for 3 weeks then he'll check me and see if I'm ready for soft bland foods. Of course everyone is different. Maybe they didn't need to wrap yours as tight? He said it's not an exact science. 80% have been cured totally, some have a little symptoms come back and 2% it doesn't work for.

Keep hanging in there! I'm sure you're dying for REAL food.
Posted 9/15/2010 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
What procedure are you having that involves a ring? Sounds interesting. Is the Exophyx?
Posted 9/15/2010 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
I am scheduled for surgery on the 4th of oct. My surgeon told me liquids the first night then softfood after that as tallerated. He called it a slippery diet.
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