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recoverying after Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication operation.

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Posted 3/15/2011 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Im coming to my 9th day since surgery,and my 5 slits seem to be healing well not as sore as they have been. i keep getting like little air bubbles sounds coming up when i swallow or eat something its doing me head in.I also get hichups all the time when trying to eat.Will these situations go away or they here for good? i also want to quote i only had half a wrap beacuse i was getting belching all the time and my doc fort a full wrap could make it worse.plz message back will be helpful thanks.
Posted 3/15/2011 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
I still get the gurgling, I guess it's trapped air? I would get hiccups when I was full but they should slowly taper off.
Posted 3/15/2011 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
I hope that your surgery went well for you. It has not been that long for your post recovery of which is to be about three months. I hope your following your doctors advise in being on a liquid diet for at least 30 days after your surgery and then to a very soft food diet after that for another 30 plus days and then to more solid food. Do not rush this. We are not all alike and in my case, i had a huge hiatil hernia repair and the Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication operation also done on me in 9/01/10 and to this day, i am still having major problems of bloating, gas, food rejection, the urge to vomit and all types of noise coming from my stomach. I am living day to day with my problems, but again since we are not all the same, i hope that if you watch what you eat - drink - advoid things that you should not have during your healing process, i hope that all shall be fine for you. the best of luck bob
Posted 3/15/2011 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bob,
You are right that we are all unique, and our experiences will differ. It is terrible that you have suffered so, and I hope that things start moving for you, and that soon you can make a trip to a center like Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, or Mayo Clinic. You deserve better, and you must not take no for an answer.
You know we're with you!
Hang in there, my friend.
Denise
Posted 3/15/2011 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Dear dohare,

Nine days is extremely early in your recovery, and as my surgeon said, "Anything is possible at this time", as there is swelling that will not allow the wrap to settle into position. You're at the very beginning stages, so don't be surprised at anything that comes along.

That said, if you can be patient, and relax into your recovery, it won't be as hard to deal with. It's a long process. It took me four months to get back to eating normally, and although the process toward that is gradual, it can seem slow if you're fighting it. The more you can surrender to what is, and not struggle against it, the easier you'll find your recovery to be.

If you have specific questions regarding your recovery and symptoms, I'd suggest that you contact your surgeon's office. This forum is also a great place to share your experience, as many have had similar experiences.

Eating protocols vary by surgeons. There are those who are asked to remain on liquids for weeks. Others trust their patients to eat responsibly, and allow them to eat solid food that can be chewed to a complete liquid--allowing their mouth/teeth to become the blender.

Mine recommended the latter (when I saw him at 5 days), and I had no problems with the protocol. As Bob said, you should follow whatever eating directions your surgeon has recommended.

Keep in mind that your wrap will become increasingly more swollen up until two weeks, then begin to reduce. Don't be surprised if you have increasing problems with your swallowing until that happens.

Remember...you've had your upper GI tract completely revised...you've got to expect that it will complain, and you'll have some strange sensations and noises. Once things heal, you will begin to get back to normal. It's a process, and you just need to be patient.

Many suffer with hiccups during early recovery...the diaphram was irritated with the surgery, so hiccups can be expected. That will subside after things heal more.

Hang in there...things will get better. While you've only got 5 little "slits" on the outside, remember that a lot more has gone on inside you. Someone described it as taking an egg beater to your innards! Your incisions will be healed and pain free long before your insides have totally healed and adjusted to the changes! Your stomach has been stretched and wrapped 270 degrees around your esophagus and stitched there. Think of it!

Take care,
Denise
Posted 3/15/2011 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Heya,

It has been 7 weeks since my surgery and i have not had any issues. I do get the gurgling feeling when i drink, and the stomach spasms, but nothing i cant tolerate. beats having to take medicine... so hang with it. it will get better day by day,
Posted 3/15/2011 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hiccups came to me when I over-ate.
Posted 3/16/2011 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Denise: As always, thanks for you reply as its really appreciated. In here seeing just what other people are going through after this surgery and offering what support i can associated with my surgery. Take care bob
Posted 3/16/2011 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Bob,
I'm glad you're staying with us! Thanks for being a part of our support system!
Take care and hang in there!
Denise
Posted 3/16/2011 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi dohare11,

I still get hiccups sometimes and like Joy especially when I overeat.
Posted 3/16/2011 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
ok thanks for your help, how long did u get your staples taken out after the opperation.my nurse sed 10 days that seem correct 2 you? and are the scars highly visable?

Posted 3/16/2011 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I was glued closed. It fell off at 14 days.
Posted 3/17/2011 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
Glue here also. The hiccups have stayed with me after 22 months, but they let me know I am full if I am not paying attention. Like at a family gathering, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. The gurgling is really annoying! Think mine went away about 6 months post op.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 3/17/2011 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
I have had dissolving stitches although bits of stitch as simply come out while in the bath. Three of my scars are quite notable still because I have an infection in them and I'm taking antibiotic - these are very red, hot and painful but, I know they will go down eventually.
Posted 12/25/2013 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone! I had the surgery on Thursday, December 19th and I was discharged from the hospital on Friday, December 20th. My diet restrictions are no meat, bread or carbonated soda for up to 3 weeks. I've been eating soup, mashed potatoes w/gravy, fruit smoothies, oatmeal, grits, eggs etc.

Since the surgery, I've experienced mild discomfort underneath my left breast, occasional painful burping, sore/irritated throat and coughing which causes the incision above my belly button to ache.

I'm still taking the protonix, but hopefully the surgeon will take me off this medicine at my follow up visit on January 6th.

I am accustomed to having meat at least twice a day, chips every now and then and I love salads. So, although I feel full after I eat, I'm not satisfied. Other than the issues I mentioned above, the diet restrictions are so far the hardest part of my recovery.
Posted 1/22/2014 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
I too just had Nissen Fundoplication Surgery on the 10th of January 2014, recovery so far is good. I still have pain in the center of my chest but nothing like it was before...so I assume that it just the healing pains of my esophagus from all of that acid damage! How long was it before you felt back to normal? I'm on a full liquid diet for 2 week then to a soft liquid diet for 2 week and after that back to solid food. But I need to go slow on the solid food. Does anyone out there have any info for me about the diet and the pain I should expect for the next few months. Thanks
Posted 1/22/2014 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
I too am recovering from a recent wrap (1/15/2014). I have noticed several variations on the post nf diet.
for instance a handout from the surgeon prior to the procedure said bananas are ok but the hospital handout said no bananas, time frames seem to vary to my doc had me on a very restricted water only for the first 36 hours. Then clear liquid for a day then the soft post nf diet until further notice (6-12wks). my big question is has any one else had a hard time with catching a deep breath? I suspect it has to with the fact my stomach was 2/3 above my diaphragm & my diaphragm is taking a bit to get back in shape. It does seem to get a bit better each day. I'm also starting to wonder about nausea, I have been very fortunate not to have any, it sounds almost as if it is normal to have some.
Posted 1/27/2014 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there everyone,

I'm new to the forum so please forgive any breaches in etiquette!

I recently had Nissen fundoplication on 20/01/14. 6 days post op. My GERD is completely gone and my swallowing seems to be ok at this point. Incisions healing well with no infection. In reading the diet pamphlet it talks about a liquid diet, etc... My doctor put me on soft foods on the evening if day 2 for some reason. I.e. Broccoli, macaroni and cheese, jello. I really really need for this to be successful as I have showed signs of Barrett's. I decided to go back to liquids for 2 weeks when I came out of the hospital just to be sure that things were ok in there. I had a collapsed Lung post surgery for a day which was painful as hell!! Gas is also there in big quantities and I alternate between formed BM's and the runs. Still on Percocet and stomach motility drug. Nexium was discontinued the night before surgery.

I am curious to know if I am doing the right this as I tested the waters a few times when I was home. 1) mashed potatoes and 2) (tonight) a very small portion of rare prime rib, mash, carrots. All chewed into oblivion..... Swallowing was tolerated well, but I felt quite full for some time and I got the hiccups both times which was killer. When I say a small portion, I mean a quarter of a small dinner plate. This is a lot less than I use to eat, I.e. 2 full dinner plates. I have also lost 15 lbs in the first week. I am 6'4" and 289 lbs before the operation.

Is this type of thing normal? And will experience any lasting effects from the partially collapsed lung (right side)

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Phil

Post Edited (Phil74) : 1/27/2014 10:08:12 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 4/5/2014 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
I am having this surgery on the 18th of this month im rather scared because ive never had a majior surgery and the fact tht a robotIis gonna be doing it is even scarier im curious as to how bad the pain is after
Posted 4/5/2014 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Oops ment robot excuse the misspell
Posted 4/10/2014 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
I had this operation on the 07-04-14 5 days post op. The procedure went well. I'm 27 yo and regarded as healthy. I'm currently only eating sloppy foods ie soups which I'm finding very hard. Does anyone one have any tasty ideas to perk me up?? Also I'm going on holiday the 21st of April for a week, which will be 15 days post op... The surgeon said this is ok but not recommended. I'm still in pain and was wondering when will the symptoms or the chest pains stop as I can imagine an 8hr flight in my current state very difficult. Although I wasn't anticipating how serious this op was I'm starting to think I shouldn't have booked this holiday... Although a week on a beach would be lovely in my current state. So my question really is has anyone travelled this quickly post op?? And how quick does pain settle in chest area.
All comments would be very appreciated as currently in limbo as to what to do
Regards
Posted 4/22/2014 7:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I had the fundoplication operation on the 10th April 2014 and I would like to share my experience and worries with you. First of all, my symptoms started in 2009 and gradually got worse over the years. I was diagnosed with GERD and also I had the hernia (where the top part of the stomach enters the esophagus).
I live in Holland and here they are not too quick with performing the fundoplication operation, instead preferring to put sufferers on medication for the rest of their lives! Medication is ok if your symptoms are not too severe, but in my case it was becoming hard to live with. Anyway, after many visits to the doctor I was finally referred to a internist and because the system here allows one to choose his/her own hospital, I got onto the internet and did some research before choosing to make an appointment.
Too cut a long story short, the treatment was top from from the first appointment, tests and finally the operation and a 3 night stay in the recovery ward. Everything went perfectly. I am now into my second week recovery. My only diet advise was to eat light digestible food and I am following that pretty well, although sometimes it is tempting to eat things I shouldn't. I have pain when swallowing, gas and to my surprise, I still feel the acid re-flux sometimes. I phoned the doctor and he told me to continue using the omeprazole medication 40mg per day. I am worried that the operation is not successful because I was told originally that the acid re-flux symptoms should be cured after the operation. So why do I still get the acid re-flux? One day after the operation I was sick because of the morphine. My stomach was making the 'being sick' movements, but because of the operation nothing came out. At the time I was scared that this might have made the stitches inside loose.
I have lost a lot of weight (8kg) and I weight my self yesterday (70kg). I will go back to my doctor today and ask for a prescription for food drinks (lots of calories).
My question is: does anyone else feel the acid re-flux after the operation and if so, is this a normal part of the healing process?
Posted 6/18/2014 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
I had the surgery April 30th.im nauseated allthe time on zofran. I think I tried to est too soon since my surgeon wasn't too specific on my diet. Can anyone tell me how long before my stomach feels normal again. Im currently eating soft foods and protein drinks. Im also eating bananas. Is this not good for you? Please help want to feel better.
Posted 6/18/2014 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
jeans

This recovery can be a long one, unfortunately. What you are eating fine, but be sure to keep your meals small, about 1/4 to 1/2 cup and 4 to 6 times a day or so. By eating smaller more frequent meals your stomach and wrap won't be over worked and you will have something in there to use the acid while everything heals.

I try top remind every one that this recovery is like a marathon, not a sprint. about 80% of the healing takes place in the first 6 months, but the rest can take another 6 months or so.

You are still very early in this recovery, please be patient. Expect some set backs as you adjust your diet. You most likely will have better and worse days that come and go. The wrap and stomach can get irritated and feel like you are refluxing again. This is usually from food sitting at the wrap and fermenting,but can be from not chewing well enough, eating to fast or to much, or just because your body isn't happy that day. There is no set time for things to return t normal, but it will happen and usually you just realize you are doing much better.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 6/18/2014 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you bill. My main concern is the neausa right now. Currently out of work cause it gets so bad. My surgeon didn't explain a lot to me at all. Thank you again.
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