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My Nissan Fundoplication Recovery (without the fun!)

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 7/4/2011 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! I am a 56 year old woman who just had the nissan fundoplication surgery. I am in day 7 of recovery and this is really hard on me. I just weigh 98 lbs when going into surgery and am down to 95. I am really scared about weight loss. On day 3 I ate too much and it went everywhere from 6 PM - afternoon time. I then did ok on day 5. Yesterday, I ate I think too much -- I ate about a 1/2 cup at meal times which took me about a 1/2 hour - but I still think it is too much. I wish I could just figure out how much my stomach can tolerate. Does anyone have any recommendations? I went to different websites but they all say different things - but the typical answer was 1/2 cup "food" and 4 ounces of liquid...but maybe that is too much. For example, for breakfast today I had 3.5 baby oatmeal and 4 ounces of liquid and it still is not going down. Bleh - this is no fun, nerve racking - I really think each time I have a reaction that I ruined the surgery. I am so nervous and depressed. Any suggestions are recommended...this is difficult!

Also, when I lay down I wake up chest pain.

I am frustrated with myself and the whole process.
Posted 7/4/2011 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Also, I have the acid reflux chest pain. Ahhhhhhh!
Posted 7/4/2011 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
To start with in the first days I did 1/4 cup every two hours (food or water -never together).
You'll be swelling for the first 14 days so stick to liquids. If it can go through a strainer easy then it's okay for the first 14 days.
Do your best not to throw up. Take your antinausea meds.
Get some ensure high protein drink to help.
Posted 7/4/2011 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi New Tummy,

   I am just a few days  a head of you. It will be 2 wks post op on Wed. for me. I am beginning to feel better each day and have just started on soft foods. Had oatmeal this morning and was able to eat the full serving. Then I immediately felt over full! I don't have chest pain as much as the left shoulder pain. I am still having to use an ice pack daily on this area.   I have lost 8 lbs. so far and could stand to lose 10 more so I don't have as much to worry about there. I have been drinking  1/2 of a  high protein Ensure with ice chips, and a large scoop of flavored yogurt. This seems  to mask that yucky taste of the Ensure. I agree, it hasn't been a walk in the park, but just in the last day or two, I think the swelling is going down and I am able to handle a little more than a 1/4 cup. Good luck and try the milkshake! CrabbyGail turn

Posted 7/4/2011 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the advice on food. I just feel so silly that I had no idea what the food portion should be. Will try just going back to liquids only - thank you for all your help and support.

This is just so hard because it is truly trial and error. And the error part is brutal!!
Posted 7/4/2011 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi newtummy,

Welcome to Healing Well and our yeah yeahWrapped Club! yeah yeah

It's very common to have difficulty eating during the early stages of recovery.
As Joy said, your stomach/wrap will continue to increase its swelling and peaks at 14 days, so be aware that your swallowing will get worse before it gets better. Take it very easy, and listen to your body.

Have you tried Ensure liquid meals? I believe they're meant to help keep weight on and get extra nutrition.

I was told that the esophagus is a dumb organ, and it interprets pretty much any pain as heartburn. You've just had a major revision of your upper GI, and you're going to have some pain in your esophagus.

Also, my surgeon said that until the wrap swelling reduces and it's settled into place, you can very well get some reflux. Some doctors recommend continued PPI's until healing is well on its way.

Again, glad you've joined us.
Best wishes!
Denise
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