HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

nissen fundoplication

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 2 34 5 6 7
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/7/2011 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Heya Spike, Sounds like things are going well. Keep it up
Posted 2/8/2011 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ekirch, seems things are going well with both of us, hope you are not working too hard - no chance of me doing that.
Posted 2/8/2011 9:56 AM (GMT 0)
Joy, I remember you saying that when you eat peanuts you experience a little acid burn, well I think that maybe this kind of thing is beginning to happen to me when I suck a small piece of chocolate. Although I'm now only 7 days post op. Maybe it's still too early to eat chocolate or maybe my wrap is swelling and so this irritates it. Just have to wait and see. Still only on liquid diet for a bit longer yet, I don't feel ready to try soft foods just yet.
Posted 2/8/2011 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hey spike, I was eating the noodles in chicken noodle soup by day 4 just chewed them real good. and apple sauce. plus they gave me jello the day after in the hospital. (Didnt feel too good) its day 10 now and have been eating chunky soup with no issue until last night.. i had the chicken gumbo.. had some spice to it, while i didnt get major heartburn i could tell some. so future note. dont eat spice yet... which sucks cause i was one that used to always eat spicy food the hotter the better. I read something that says we shouldnt eat anything chocolate for a while. It was from the University of Pittsburg nissen diet. has a good breakdown of what and when to eat and a sample menu.
Posted 2/8/2011 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks ekirch, it seems there is no definitive guide for post nissen diet and it can be different for everyone. I think I'll leave the chocolate off for a while. Thanks for the tip about chicken gumbo. I have tried cauliflower cheese and carrot all mashed up and a very small amount, this seems ok so far but the Pittsburg nissen diet says no to cauliflower so now I'm thinking should I leave this off. Still I'm only on day 7. Think I'll stick to liquid diet for a few more days.
Posted 2/9/2011 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Spike, I've found out if you listen to your body you'll know when it's time to move to more solid foods.
I didn't have any chocolate until the third month.
Posted 2/11/2011 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Almost completed 10 days post op and things are going well, still getting some mild pains but got this under control with rest, medicine and correct food type intake for this stage of the healing process. So overall I am happy with my progress so far. It's true to say that I still get the gas pains in the shoulders mainly and other areas but I have found that a warm liquid drink helps to take this away. I am still taking pain medicine as and when and am not phased by this because I know that this will pass in time. Also, taking plenty of sleep perhaps because my body is not getting enough protein so again I am not phased by this either. Although I've started more complan drinks/shakes and this has increased my energy levels so again good news. Hope people will benefit from my experience for their own healing process.
Posted 2/13/2011 7:57 AM (GMT 0)
Just wondering, when I attempt soft foods what are the best choices/easiest foods to take first. Thanks
Posted 2/13/2011 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Spike,
I"m on day7 now. Glad you can progress diet. I decided to try using liquid Tylenol for pain to cutback on vicodin. I found it to be too thick. Getting tired of juice and water and also looking for protein. Did you try plain milk before shakes? Peggy
Posted 2/14/2011 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Spike,
I had the Nissen in February 2009. I was sent home from the hospital on soft foods...applesauce, squash, egg custard, etc.

I saw my surgeon at Day 5, and at that time, he told me I could eat anything that could be chewed to a liquid.

I tell you this because it provides you with an idea of how to move away from liquids and toward solids. Many surgeons fear that their patients will be thoughtless, and eat solids without thinking--thus ending up with something stuck at the wrap site.

If you eat small bites, and chew it to a complete liquid, it's really no different than staying on liquid foods, except that it's more like eating normally. If you chew something, and it doesn't become a full liquid, just politely deposit it in a handy napkin. Drinking warm tea or room temp water is also helpful in the early days.

An acquaintance who'd had the surgery two years earlier than me, suggested cooking some meat, potato, onion, and carrot in a slow cooker for hours, until it is soft. I took her advice, and it was the first beef I'd had in a long time. Very easily chewed to liquid.

Tender chicken chews to a liquid easier.

Bread and steak are a no no.

Always remember...small bites, and chew, chew, chew.
Happy eating!
Denise
Posted 2/14/2011 7:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Denise,

Thank you again for good advice, I'm beginning day 13 and I'm going to attempt a mild pureed curry tonight (only small portion) - see what happens. I had a pureed turkey, vegetable and mashed potato dinner yesterday and although I had no problem swallowing or with food getting stuck, I quickly felt bloated and that was the time to stop for me. This is still early days for me and I'm remaining positive and allowing my body the time to heal.

Hi Peggy,

I'm glad that you are doing well and hpe that you continue to get better and better. No I did not drink plain milk but I have and still do drink milk shakes. For protein I drink complan as there are several different flavours. I use milk with weetabix which you could try now (mushed up).

Hope this helps you.

Posted 2/14/2011 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
Heya Spike sounds like things are going well.
Day 18 here and i have been eating chunky soups, pancakes, eggs, mashed potatoes. I havent had any problems with eating anything so now i just kinda go with trial and error. even eat a hamburger although it was just the patty... eat some bread with no problem as well. so i would just see what you can tolerate.
Posted 2/14/2011 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Wow Ekirch, I'm impressed, go you! I have not gone that far yet, experiencing a little discomfort today with even liquids so think I'll wait a little longer but, I hope to be more adventurous soon.
Posted 2/14/2011 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
I might have one advantage.. dont know if this makes a difference. But im 6'7" (2 meters) tall. It made it easier for the surgeon since im so spread out lol.. Just my Theory of course...But i have had no issues with eating, and i have not felt nauseas once. I am careful not to eat too much so maybe that helps. even eating chocolate again.mmmmmmm
Posted 2/14/2011 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Ekirch,

Maybe I don't know, I'm only 5'7" and I lost over 35 pound in the six months prior to my surgery becasue I could not keep any food down and all foods starting irritating me. I was a little overweight at the time but now I'm not. Since my op I've lost a further 5 pound but now seem to have stabilized a bit. Now I'm only 139 pound in weight. Good news for me is that I don't feel that I have had any acid reflux since my opp. Yes I've had some mild irriation around the wrap site but this has easily gone with the pain medicine and although at times I'm still taking these, I'm not taking as many - so again good news. I also tried some chocolate (sucked to a liquid) again today and so far no problems. All in all I'm getting there slowly.

Posted 2/14/2011 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your eating, Spike! It sounds as if you've got a very sensible attitude.
take care,
Denise
Posted 2/17/2011 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
Day 16 post op and things are going ok. I've eaten very mashed scrambled eggs, fish pie and no problems. However, sometime I feel that food may be slower going through LES and so I have to sip more water to get it through, I have a feeling of bloating sometimes too. Not attempted any more solid food at all and I'm still experimenting with soft foods. Still getting tired during the day, seen my doctor yesterday and he has signed me off work for another 4 1/2 weeks, he says things seem to be going well but that I need this time for my healing process. I'm pleased about having this opportunity because I teach and I don't feel that I could get through a day in the classroom just yet.
Posted 2/17/2011 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Spike, just reading through this thread as I had my op 7 days ago now also in the UK on the NHS. In case you haven't already found out jello in the US is just jelly in the UK. I've been having plenty of that in the past week. Glad you seem to be doing well.
Posted 2/18/2011 6:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi TheBadger, Thanks for the info but, I don't like jelly. I'm glad you are doing well post op also. It get's better each day/week I'm progressing well into soft foods now. So you should be able to do the same.
Posted 2/19/2011 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Had a lot more stomach pain today, not acid reflux feels like a dull ache. Still on soft foods but think I may have overdone things a bit, been out walking and generally moving around so think my body is telling me to slow down again. The recovery process can be slow sometimes.
Posted 2/19/2011 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Spike,
Yes, you are at the early stages of healing, and pretty much any sensation can occur. Your outsides recover much more quickly than your insides, so it's not at all out of the ordinary to have some uncomfortable feelings at this point.

You've got to remember that your upper GI tract has been revised, and your poor stomach was stretched, wrapped, and stitched! It'll take a while before it forgives you for that!

Hope you feel better soon.
Take care,
Denise
Posted 2/22/2011 7:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Denise,

Yes you are right, thanks again. Feeling a little better again, still on soft foods but becoming more adventurous.
Posted 2/24/2011 11:30 AM (GMT 0)
Day 23 post op and I'm experiencing stomach pains, bit like a cramp and a dull ache around my 5 scars and also some discomfort around my wrap area, is this normal?   These pains are not constant and come and go (sometimes with the aid of pain medication and sometimes without medication).   I am being very careful what I eat (soft foods and liquids) and I am walking out and about more. This week my family are at home (half term from school) and so I've been more active and have taken them out in the car a few times (not for too long); I wonder if maybe I have overdone things a bit! Any ideas?    I don't want to ruin my wrap etc and I'm a little worried that I have might have damaged something although this is not really possible for me because I have not done anything strenuous. However, we bought some flat packed furniture for my daughter's bedroom and I did screw some bits together, but mostly directed my wife, I was very careful not to lift anything. This is frustrating but sensible.     I think sometimes it helps to just vent feelings and or concerns to read from others who have and are experiencing similar symptoms.   I think maybe I'm attempting to run before I can walk but, I think things must be going well for me because like others have said it's still early days yet and so I need to take it easy for a while longer.   On the food front, I've still not attempted solid foods yet and wonder when would be a good time to try, any ideas? Although, I am eating mashed food ok.   I appreciate any comment/advice.  
Posted 2/24/2011 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Spike,
You're just a tad over three weeks post-op. While your outsides are healing well (I had pain at my incision sites for quite a while after my surgery--especially the one in the rib area--was told that's where most of the manipulation took place.) your insides are far from healed and adjusted to the changes.

It's totally understandable that at this very early stage in your post-op recovery you will experience discomfort. Your stomach is not happy with you right now. It's been pulled and wrapped and stitched. Those changes will definitely take time to settle in and heal completely.

I was told by an experienced member here that it takes 6 months for the majority of the healing to take place, and a full year for the remainder.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things. You can get out and about at this point...just remember (as I'm sure you do) that you've just had major surgery, and take it slow. Walking is good for your recovery, and getting active is important in regaining your strength.

Let me tell you that I coughed SEVERELY throughout my early post-op recovery period. It really HURT! I iced my painful incision, and hoped for the best. I was very worried that I would harm my repair, but what could I do? I'd also been told that my internal tissue was very fragile from the steroids I'd taken.

With all that, I still have an intact wrap. I don't think you have to worry a bit.
You're being very responsible and have a great attitude towards your recovery.

Keep up the great work, and try not to worry. It's just a normal part of healing.
If you ever have a concern, don't keep wondering...just call your surgeon and ask! That's what they're there for...you paid the big bucks for the surgery!

Take care and happy recovering!yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Denise
Posted 2/24/2011 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Denise,

What you have said makes very good sense, and my incision site by my rib area does seem to hurt the most. I've spent the whole day just resting and this helps. I know that I have not done anything that could possibly hurt my wrap and feel reassured by your comment, thank you.  

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1234567