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12 Days since fundoplication

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 4/4/2011 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Ok so 12 days in, I thought I'd give you a bit of an update.

Mobility is greatly improved, the first few days you feel like someone is sitting on your belly and it's difficult to sit up. That's more or less gone now.

No need for pain medication. I stopped after about 4 days, the only 'pain' I have at the moment in a dull ache from one of the larger incision sites which I'm guessing is because that's probably where they did most of the prodding.

Diet - I was advised two weeks of liquid diet. I was started on fortisip nutrition drinks and fruit juice but eat jelly (jello), ice cream, cream of chicken soup and Ready Brek (smooth oat cereal with milk) very easily. Today I'm going to have a stab at some liquidised cottage pie. There is the odd occasion where I've felt a bit of a backlog with the thicker food but that's to be expected as the wrap site is still swelling. I've lost almost a stone in weight (which I'm quite happy about) but I'm craving texture. I'd give my right arm for a juicy burger or a big pizza right now. I'm deliberately avoiding cookery shows on TV as I'm in danger of slobbering all over the TV set. Still a few more weeks and I'll be able to eat quite normally... right?

Bowels - Everyone's favourite subject. Despite the 2 weeks on liquids I've not had diarrhoea and despite not 'going' as frequently as I used to it's all quite normal down there.

GERD symptoms - NONE!! Amazing, no pills (was previously on 80mg Nexium a day). I recommend this to anyone provided you can get a good surgeon.
Posted 4/4/2011 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gritty!
It's wonderful to hear you're doing so well! It is so helpful to post your progress. As you know others will find this forum looking for information as they consider the surgery. It is a great help to have experienced members share their surgical journey.

You will certainly be able to eat more normally as time goes on. Since swelling increases through the first two weeks, to peak at Day 14, it is to be expected that swallowing will get more difficult before it gets better. Patience...things will improve soon.

What type of diet does your surgeon recommend after the swelling subsides? I'm sure you've read more than once, that I was allowed to eat anything that could be chewed to a liquid pretty much right away. I guess my surgeon has had good experience with patient compliance. He said he only had a couple people who forgot themselves and ran into trouble after eating something they shouldn't.

It is really common sense, that if you chew something to a liquid, it will be the equivalent of something that was blended to a liquid. It just requires that you take small bites (very small), and chew, chew, chew. My surgeon preferred that method to soft foods, as he said that a bolus of mashed potatoes could get stuck at the wrapped site. Just because something is soft, doesn't ensure that it won't cause trouble.

When you're set free to eat more "regular foods", be sure to continue to control your portions, as you won't want the discomfort of being over-full.

Again, thanks for starting a new thread so people can see your progress!
Take care, and Happy Healing!
Denise
Posted 4/4/2011 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Gritty,
I am 5 days post-op and I think the hardest thing for me at this point is learning to SLOW DOWN. Before this I could eat my breakfast (a bowl of oatmeal and milk) in about 5 minutes. Not so much now! Things are obviously going to be changing, but for the better! It's going to be so wonderful not having to worry about GERD anymore!!! yay!!!!!

I look forward to hearing more about your recovery! Hopefully it will give me a small idea of what I might be able to expect in the upcoming days!
Posted 4/4/2011 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
My diet is 2 weeks liquids, 2 weeks purees then 2 weeks soft food before attempting anything crunchy or too delicious.

I coped well with some cottage pie today. I blended the meat, gravy and veg to a paste and put the mash on top. I had a moment when I'd obviously taken too big a fork full and it got stuck but managed to get through the rest of it no problem. All that's missing now is the texture.

Roll on week 8 so I can have a greasy KFC (pure filth I know)
Posted 4/4/2011 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Nice to have a goal Gritty! Mine is Domino's pizza, even one slice would make me happy!
Posted 4/4/2011 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Had my Fundo March 30th and hoping to have some real food July 4th
Posted 4/10/2011 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
18 days in and all is going great. Tried some more 'solid' food with mixed results. I now know that stuck feeling everyone's been talking about. Still I've managed to get through softish veg and hard bread by chewing chewing chewing.

Lovely sun today in Manchester and went out for sorbet with the Missus. Managed to neck two glasses of red wine with no problem too although I'm definitely taking it easy in regards to alcohol. I'm about to try a cheese toastie, if I can do that I may be able to manage pizza (how I've missed pizza). I've found toasted bread no problem at all provided it's chewed well so fingers crossed.

The incisions are healing nicely and there's just minor discomfort there I think mainly down to the scabs falling off and the glue peeling. I'm back in work tomorrow and have been on a few long walks to test my energy levels. Hopefully I'll be ok in work but as it's an office job so I should be fine.

Feeling great, I'm still getting that horrible feeling that I've forgotten to take my Nexium before leaving the house and have to remind myself I no longer need it.
Posted 4/10/2011 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Your experience gives those of us hope and positive thinking towards this surgery who have it scheduled. Mine is May 9th and I am hoping I have a good experience like you have!
Posted 4/10/2011 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
I was pretty much terrified before the op, until I found this place. Other than the eating I feel otherwise completely normal now. All the best, I hope you've got as good a surgeon as I had.
Posted 4/10/2011 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Oh and by the way, did anyone else find they started getting bad breath after the op? It seems to be lessening as time goes on but it was very noticeable straight after the op. Not a major problem and I'm guessing it's due to all the healing but I'd like to hear how long it usually lasts for.
Posted 4/10/2011 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gritty,
My guess? Food getting hung up at the wrap site...breaking down and creation a lovely odor. Am I sure? No...but it is a likely cause.
Glad to hear you're doing well!
Denise
Posted 4/10/2011 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thought as much Denise. Just means I brush more often which I'm sure my dentist will be glad of :)

Hopefully it'll pass as it heals.
Posted 4/13/2011 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Gritty when did they tell you it was ok to have alcohol. I feel great but have been scared to try it. My surgery was 10 days ago. I have had no reflux and have not had anything get stuck yet. I have been mostly liquids but have cheated on a few occasions with no repercussion thus far. I am dyin for a drink of some sort haha. Let me know
Posted 4/13/2011 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
well I am 6 weeks post op and I am going to have my first guinness tonight, been a long time coming but I hope it's going to be worth it... I tried some coke 2 weeks ago and was in a fair bit of discomfort, I hope the drink tonight will go down ok... I wont be able to drink pints like I used to but hopefully it'll get better as the weeks go on...

 

Posted 4/14/2011 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi jhayes,
It's good to hear from you! Cheers! Before I had the surgery, I assumed I wouldn't be able to drink beer afterward (carbonation, you know!). A woman who'd had the surgery two years earlier, informed me that beer is fine--the carbonation is natural, and doesn't affect you the way the fizzies in soda do.
Hope you enjoy your Guinness!
Let us know how it goes!
Denise
PS--I drink beer regularly, and it doesn't bother me one bit.
Posted 4/14/2011 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
I found on tap beer is horrid for me because the extra carbonation, but bottles are awesome!

Bill
Posted 4/14/2011 8:12 AM (GMT 0)
I was told to avoid alcohol but no for how long. I was fine after a couple of glasses of wine but I've not tried beer yet, thought I'd wait till I'm back on proper food before trying anything carbonated.
Posted 4/14/2011 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Believe it or not, Bill, I don't have any trouble with draft beers. turn
Posted 4/14/2011 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Anybody out there tried any Vodka or Bourbons???
Posted 4/14/2011 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Mmmm. I'm dying for a Jim Beam and coke.. it'd have to be flat coke though. I think neat spirits would be a bit premature for me at the moment only 3 weeks in but I'm sure they'll be less of a problem in a couple of months. I'm hoping to get through a few White Russians on my birthday next month, nice and milky so shouldn't be much bother.
Posted 4/15/2011 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Neat spirits? Ouch!
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