Nissen fundo- 5 days post op

I had my Nissen fundo on Nov. 2nd. I had read so many posts on this website about the surgery prior. All the posts were so helpful and most were encouraging and helped me move towards my decision. I had the surgery because I have had reflux my entire life. I am 27 y/o and have been on PPIs for over 10 years. After reading about them and realizing that there is really very little research about its long term effects, I decided that I needed to get off my meds! Prior to surgery, I was taking Nexium 2x/day and it was still not totally effective.

Most of the information I have read post-op seem accurate. The first couple of days are a little blurry since I was in the hospital and on morphine. I didn't eat anything the first day. I only drank water. The nurse also brought me ice because I had terrible dry mouth from the atropine. Little did I know that cold liquids cause a spasm feeling at the surgical site when going down. Now I am only drinking tap water and room temperature liquids...they go down much easier. I discharged home the day after surgery. They wanted to send me home with Lortab elixer even though I told them several times that I vomit with Lortab. So, they sent me home with a Percocet tablet prescription instead. I expressed a concern for nausea, but the nurse discouraged me from getting a script for anti-emetics. Not really sure why she was so worried about it, but luckily I have had no nausea. Unfortunately, the Percocets have to be crushed. I have been mixing them in with children's liquid Tylenol or Ibuprofen. The first day home (post op day 2 and 3) I needed the percocet during the day and at night. Since then, I haven't needed percocet during the day, just at night to help me sleep.  Most of the pain I have experienced has been in my left shoulder when I breathe deep and burning in my esophagus.

Now it is post-op Day 5. I woke up this morning feeling like a new woman! The pain in my shoulder is minimal. I was able to eat Ramen noodles today! Woohoo!  I am learning slowly how to adapt until my esophagus heals. I have had ZERO reflux. YAY! I haven't taken my Nexium since the night before my surgery and have no need for it.

I am pleased with my surgery and looking forward to a more normal life! You don't realized until the reflux is gone how much it truly effected your lifestyle. I am still curious to see if my allergies, sinus drainage and asthma improve (all developed as an adult).

Thanks to all of you who posted about your "wrapped journey." You are helping so many people!

Take it easy on the food! It's way to early to be eating solids. Didn't they give you a handout with what you can eat and when? At least chew the noodles to a mush before trying to swallow! Gagging on stuck food is no joke.

Frankly, I think it's awful to discharge a fundo patient home the day after surgery. It's like sending a new mom home the same day she delivers. The second day is when complications show up. I hope they did the barium swallow to check for leaks before you left!

If I were you I'd call and ask for the Rx for the anti-emetic just to have it on hand for emergencies. You have been lucky not to have a nausea problem with the percocet. If you vomit right now you can mess up the op. I'm waiting for a barium swallow to check mine.

You've had major surgery. It takes 3 months or more to recover. Take it easy and follow the doc's orders for not lifting, etc.

Hey there! You and I had our Nissen Fundoplasty (ies)on the same day! : )

I am still just able to handle liquids and things like jello for the most part - though I also got down 3 teaspoonfulls of mushy noodles today! (We're really not supposed to be eating yet though).

Like you, my shoulder pain cleared to a minimum today - I still get small twinges but it's nothing compared to how it was!
(We're lucky - I have read and heard from others that that went on for much longer.)

I'm also making the loud gurgling noises...and my belly makes them too sometimes. Kind of unnerving, isnt it?
I dont what it is either to tell you but thought I would let you know that we've both hit day 5 with similar symptoms.. it's kind of a relief to hear someone else mention the air sounds... I feel more "on schedule" now that I know I'm not alone!
It may even be normal! lol

Have you started to swell inside yet that you can feel? I just noticed it today.

Oh... make sure you do go ahead get the anti nausea pills - you dont want to get caught short and I've needed mine once or twice already. I dont know about you, but my guts are really sore so I dont even want to think about a re-do. Better safe than sorry!!!

So nice to meet you! : )

Cat

Cat, it is great to meet someone on the same post-op day! It excites me to know that we can communicate about our issues! My doctor said I could have anything I could chew to nothing. He said I could try fish but I'm a little nervous about that just yet I couldn't get out of that hospital fast enough. It made me feel so much better just to be home. The hour car ride home about killed me though lol! I am not on narcotics during the day anymore so I may attempt driving today. I plan on going back to work on Wednesday but only to do computer and paper work of course, NO LIFTING!!!

Denise, I am with you. If you can chew it 100 times into nothing, why blend it??? Maybe some people would forget to chew but I am very aware!

Newlywrapped, is it hard to ride in a car after surgery? because I live 150 miles from where I plan on having surgery.

It is hard for me to ride in a car now, I suspect because of my haital hernia. It feels better if I stand.

Just returned from the surgeon for followup visit. Had a Heller Myotomy and a full fundolipication THREE weeks ago for achalaasia. One of the first to be done roboticaly in our area. The surgeon gave me the OK to move to solid foods with the exception of steak and bread. These are my only limitations, otherwise, do anything I want. Still some slight tenderness but no major pain. It is so nice to have food go down without backing up or pain. The only rela pain that I had was the shoulder pain after the surgery.

UGH! So I am driving to go to the store and walk a little and I got to the stop sign and had a terrible feeling. Went back home....diarrhea!!! Where did that come from? I haven't had any of that yet! Boo :-(

Well, I took Immodium and went on to the store. Then I walked for 40 min. Maybe a little much. I got a little puney towards the end but I'm ok now. No more mac n cheese for awhile!

Joy - mine will be quiet if I dont drink anything for a while.
As soon as I put something in it though it's loud as heck and that goes on for a long time.

Newlywrapped - how on earth are you doing 40 minute walks? I have to hold my tummy with both hands just to do 2 or 3 laps around my property (2 1/2 acres) and I breathe hard doing that. Oh wait... I read your age and your job description above - that explains it. LOL

I cant even imagine trying to eat mac and cheese....how on earth did you dare? I'd be afraid it would get stuck or make my stomach hurt....you're much braver than I am to have even attempted it! lol
I'm also impressed that you're already out shopping! (I'm a bit envious too. lol)

Cat

I'm using arnica and Toreadol for swelling.....have to be careful with the Toreadol though.
I'm not terribly swollen myself....it doesnt seem to be increasing for me at this point and only became noticeable the other day.

I'll switch to ibuprofen if I feel like my swelling is progressing.... since I am almost out of time with the other herbs/meds. : )