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Posted 6/28/2011 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sammi,

I will just say this...from my calculations you're about 4 days post op. I found I had some difficulty swallowing about that time, with esophageal spasms. I was also creating gallons of saliva--presumably meant to soothe my highly irritated esophagus.

If you like your eggs scrambled very soft, and you take tiny bites and chew carefully, they will probably be fine. At your stage i was eating whipped potato and mild gravy, applesauce, broth, and Cream of Wheat. You have to listen to your body.

At 6 days I was eating many different things...anything I could chew to a complete liquid, which was great fun, as chewing is the most satisfying part of eating for me. You're not far from that point, so hang in there.

Many stick with only liquids for several weeks. It's really a personal preference of the surgeon. I am just glad I didn't have a surgeon who expected me to "eat" that way. I did just fine with the tiny bites and chew to liquid routine.

Keep in mind that your wrap will continue to swell over the next two weeks, until it peaks at about 14 days. After that it will begin to go down, and your swallowing will improve again.

Try to be patient. Things will improve over time.
Hang in there!
Denise
Posted 6/28/2011 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
DAY 6:
After yesterday I was afraid to try anything today. I went to bed last night and put a heating pad around my left side to my back. I was almost in tears. I took my pain meds and finally got some relief.

I've stuck to my popcicles, water, a little milk. I don't have near the pain I did last night. I might just scrabble an egg and see how I do with that. I've lost about 7lbs at this point. I really don't feel like my esophagus is that swollen at this point, but I know it will so I am going to be very cautious.

My miralax has regulated me. So I don't feel that discomfort like I did. I did go over to my grandmother's to help my mother today with the move from my uncle's to her house. I didn't lift anything, but did bring some things to my house that my grandmother wanted me to have. It was hot and I overheated a bit so I came home and rested. I had gotten queezy and decided I needed to take my meds for it.

My hubby brought me home a very delicious looking watermelon. So I am going to eat a bit of it. It's like pure heaven.

I return to see my surgeon next week.

*Sammi*
Posted 6/29/2011 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
I'd say very, very watery grits will do better. eggs might get stuck
Posted 6/29/2011 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Oh Sammi...
I wasn't brave enough to try eggs until I was mid 2nd week post surgery. At that time I did soft boiled eggs smashed and mashed until I had lots of taste and it looked like strained eggs. Scrambled didn't like me until week 3. I had to have something that almost tasted like real food too and I put beef vegetable soup in the blender and it was amazing... if you like beef vegetable try it you may find it helps get rid of the hunger pangs. Please listen to what your body tells you. That was the best advice my Dr. gave me. It hasn't failed me yet.
Listen to your body and read the forum and ask questions.. someone will be here to help you...
Take care
Sandi
Posted 6/29/2011 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sammi,

Are you still having the side pain? Hope you're feeling better today. If you get that rib pain, try ice. It's anti-inflammatory, and helps calm things down.

If you want to try a scrambled egg, be sure to use plenty of milk, and scramble it soft. Those who like dry scrambled eggs will not be able to attempt them this early.

It's always best to listen to your body. If your tummy is a bit queasy, you're probably doing a little too much.

Take care!

Denise
Posted 6/30/2011 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
DAY 8: I've felt really tender over my left side still. I have spent the last two days resting a lot. I have felt kinda queezy so I've taken my anti nausea meds which do make me sleepy. I've been sticking to my liquid diet. My husband has me convinced I will hurt myself trying to eat anything else right now.

Even though I feel weak as a kitten. I have noticed an improvement in my asthma already! It is unbelievable. I haven't been able to breath in this deeply in years. Crazy how GERD can give you asthma.

I am hoping as I can my energy and strength back, I can start exercising some. No marathons, just a nice walk.

*Sammi*
Posted 6/30/2011 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sammi,

You've just had major surgery...you'll get that energy back before you know it. Great to hear that your lungs already show signs of improvement!

I had that left rib pain, and was coughing a lot as well. I found ice to be the best treatment. It definitely relieved the pain.

Hang in there!
Denise
Posted 6/30/2011 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Denise. I had been using a heating pad, but will try an ice pack.
Posted 6/30/2011 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Sammi,

It is day 8 postop for me. Got my staples out today and was ok'd for a soft diet. I am now hooked on V8 boxed soups, cheese grits, and Ensure milkshakes (with a little crushed ice, and a big spoonful of yogurt). I have lost 8 lbs and was having really bad leg cramps on top of everything else, so I decided two of these little 4oz. shakes a day couldn't hurt. I was reading your posts, and mine could be identical with the pain in the ribs, and the pain over one incision especially. I have been putting an icepack on my stomach every afternoon and I do think it is helping. I told the dr. this morning I didn't expect to feel quite this bad, that I had gall bladder surgery about 15 yrs ago and I was back to work in 7 days. He replied that this was three times the surgery and that I was 15 years older! I do feel a little better each day and NO REFLUX! Hope each day finds you feeling better too! tongue Crabbygail

Posted 7/1/2011 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for checking in Crabbygirl and letting me know. Cheese grits sound heavenly! My hubby went for Chinese tonight and brought me back some eggdrop soup. It was really good. I did notice I have some burning feeling in my stomach though. Not like GERD though. I will have to try some Ensure as well. My weight loss is 8lbs as well. Seems like it should be more as restricted as we've been. I was glued so I do not have staples or stitches that need to be removed and see my physician next week. Glad to hear you are hanging in there. I guess with both our surgeries on the 22nd our recovers should go hand in hand.

*Sammi*
Posted 7/2/2011 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Sammi
Yep, cheese grits are great at your point in recovery. I had them too. As far as the weight loss goes, your body has slowed your metabolism down to accommodate the fact that you have not been nourishing it as well as you used to. You will find once you are able to increase your variety, such as the grits, you will be losing more. Your body will know that you are feeding it and it can allow your metabolism to increase again.. after my first 10 pounds, I didn't lose anything for a week and then I dropped 3 pounds all of a sudden and then it kept going, a little at a time.. I needed the weight loss so I cheered every pound off!
I ate egg drop soup also, it was amazing.. the taste sensation of my life (I thought at the time) I like squash so I got the boxed Knorr squash soup.. it was really good too. A bit thicker and so a little more sustaining.
Good luck with your recovery and remember to listen to your body.. if it tells you NO, then don't do it..
Happy Healing...
Sandi
Posted 7/2/2011 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
Sandi,
I can stand to lose about 30lbs myself so the more the better. I am only 5'1" and weighed 153lbs when I went into surgery. 11 more lbs than I was at full term with both my pregnancies. I believe that Nexium had a lot to do with my weight gain as well. So between the surgery and not taking Nexium anymore I am hoping to find I have a girly figure under this weight, again.

I appreciate all the tips and advice from everyone. Squash soup sounds interesting. I may try that sometime next week. (Sounds rich)

Today I am very sore. I've been over to my mother's to sit with my grandmother (101 years old) while she did some running around. I then went over to my uncle's house (the one that just passed away) to get some plants my grandmother wanted me to have and take care of. (I pray I keep them alive. I feel like they are a part of my grandmother.) They were having a major yard sale. My cousins gave me a wonderful antique table that no one had room for and I thought it would be just the thing to put the houseplants on near a window. I hadn't taken pain meds so by the time I got home I was exhausted very hot and emotional.

Time to lie down and relax.

*Sammi*
Posted 7/6/2011 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
DAY 14: No stomach pains for the last couple of days. I did reach down sideways yesterday to grab something and threw my back out. Go figure. After that I did have a bought of diarrhea and got a little queasy. But found a comfortable spot in bed and rested all day.

My glue was peeling off my incisions so I scrubbed them well to get the rest off. Incisions look fine.

I've been living off Cheese Grits now for about 4 days. So good. I go back to the doctor tomorrow for my first post-op appointment. My weight loss is holding still about 8lbs. I was hoping to lose more, but now that I don't have GERD symptoms and can bend over without throwing up, I plan to start exercising more.

Well that sums it up for now.

*Sammi*
Posted 7/6/2011 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sammi,

Sounds like you're doing great! Sorry about your back going out. Try some ice, and get it moving as much as possible. If it doesn't get better soon, go to the doc to get some help. You don't need one more thing to deal with right now.

Yes, you will be able to exercise more without all that acid refluxing into your esophagus/lungs!

Keep up the great work!
Denise
Posted 7/8/2011 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
DAY 15: Post-op appointment went great! Doctor says I can start working my way up to eating solids again. He said in 6 weeks I should be good to go as far as eating what I want. Incisions look well, no more stomach pain from the surgery. I am swallowing well and can still burp! NO MORE GERD the most important thing. Still feel run down some, but I'm sure that's normal. So glad I had this surgery.

Went from his office to the ER (my regular physician is on vacation) about my back. Have to rest it a few days slightly herniated. I've had this happen in the past. If it's no better by Monday going to head to the chiropractor for an adjustment.

Thanks for the advise and support. I am going to scramble some eggs and love every minute of eating them!!!

*Sammi*
Posted 7/8/2011 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Sammi

Just remember to eat slowly (and maybe add a bit more milk/cream to the eggs so that they are fluffier..not as dry..) and CHEW CHEW CHEW... sorry it had to be said. ;-) I am glad to hear that your visit went well, sorry to hear about your back.. I too have back problems (spinal stenosis/controlled right now). I know how it can hurt. Poor you having to deal with recovery and the back .. I will look forward to hearing that you are feeling better. As you add different foods to your diet, please remember to eat slowly and chew. I tried to add only one thing every day or so to make sure I knew what my body was telling me about new things. Let us know how things go for you...
Have a great night
Sandi
Posted 7/10/2011 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
DAY 18: Doing well. Added mashed potatoes to my diet very filling and even tried beans and rice, however they made me a little too gassy. Everything seems to be going down ok. I did get choked taking one of my muscle relaxers last night. The water I washed it down with came back out. I remained calm and got it down with the next drink of water.

Weight loss not so much for me still about 8lbs and holding. I don't know if it's because I've still been on pain pills and somewhat constipated. Miralax helps some, but not much. I seriously live off of banana popcicles, water, and one meal a day with milk.

No reflux to speak of. Which is wonderful in of itself. I have not taken Nexium since the morning of my surgery.

*Sammi*
Posted 7/13/2011 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
DAY 21: Things are going along just fine. Lost 10lbs now, which is a good thing. Still keeping things limited, but able to eat a little white bread no crust sandwiches (cheese, bologna even). A little over a half of sandwich fills me completely up for the day, I usually will have a small glass of milk with it. I drank "Ice Coffee" with some french vanilla creamer in it this a.m. Didn't bother me at all. I use to live off of Mt Dew's and since I gave up carbonated drinks, needed something to wake me up in the a.m. so I am glad I was able to tolerate it with no problem. Never been much of a coffee drinker before. I drink water the rest of the day, which is great because water used to be the worst on my acid reflux would make me throw up. Strange huh?

Crabbygirl, how are you doing thus far?
Posted 7/14/2011 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sammi,

 Doing pretty good so far. I think I may have been overeating the last few days. I have been so hungry and I seem to overeat, (doesn't look like that much) but I have been feeling kind of miserable after I eat. No reflux, just kind of bloated feeling. It has just been this way this week, so I don't know if I have been trying too many new things or just maybe too much.  I am going to cut back to 1/2 cup of whatever I eat tomorrow and see how that feels. Have had a few things get stuck the last few days, too. A scarey feeling! Go back to the surgeon for 3 weeks check up tomorrow. Stuck at 8 lbs. and I so wanted to lose a little more.  Glad to know you are doing well!

Posted 7/19/2011 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Crabby you sound like me. I'm stuck at 10lbs. I've been eating small portions of anything I like pretty much once a day though and I chew really well. My husband made beer brats with sour kraut and potatoes yesterday. He slow cooks the brats so they are really tender. I ate 3/4 of one. Sliced very thin and tiny bites, a little sour kraut and about to TBS of potatoes. I ate the same tonight. So good. Everything went down fine. I've been drinking at least one 8 oz glass of milk a day, then mainly water. I have had decaf iced tea with splenda as well. No reflux, but get full really quickly. I avoid bread for the most part still. That's the biggest hurdle I've had.

I thought I'd see more weight loss, but I'm sure now that I'm feeling better I will be able to get more exercise and keep watching the amount and what I eat for the most part. Still good. No acid reflux which is SO GREAT. I don't return to my doctor for 6 months as long as everything moves along okay.

I do have to see my OBGYN tomorrow. I have to get a hysterectomy now. This summer is a wash for me. It will be 4 weeks Wednesday. I'm sure the GYN will want me to wait at least another month out before doing it. Anyway, that's were I'm at.

*Sammi*
Posted 7/19/2011 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sammi and Crabbygail... I had my 'wrap' on June 1st... so 7 wks post op day after tomorrow... I was just wondering if your tummies TALK a lot?? mine squawks constantly it seems... even makes my cat irritated! HAHAHA especially when I get really hungry! I try to keep something in my stomach every few hrs... but sometimes I forget and my noisy insides reminds me! I eat just about anything.. although I bout choked on a bite of nectarine this morning... I forget and swallow a big chunk sometimes... I seem to know when I do it and know what to expect... OWWWWW... I've lost 15.5 lbs since the day I came home from the hosp... I would be losing more I'm sure if I had stayed off my coffee creamer! boy that Coffeemate creamer is fattening! I would love to lose 20 or 30 more... Reading your posts sounds just like me... all the diff pains you both had and all... so good to see that I'm not alone!!

Digidaw :)
Posted 7/20/2011 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Digidaw and Sammi,
Yes, my stomach does make some loud rumblings! Did it in church Sun. and I was sure everyone around me heard! I just stared straight ahead, but my daughter giggled out loud and I shot her one of those Mother looks! She's 28 and I was surprised that the look still works! She straightened right up! Glad I still have the look!LOL
Sammi, so sorry that you have to have that end worked on too! Mine was 25 years ago, and I have never been sorry a day! Yes, I have a muffin top, and if I could just lose 20 more pounds, I would rush out and buy a bikini! NOT! Seriously, I hope that you can wait another month or so, seems like a lot of pain on the body for one summer!
Are both of you worn out by 5:00 in the afternoon? I just can't seem to get up and do anything in the late afternoons or evenings. I have a 35 year class reunion in one week and I am debating not going because I just don't think I will have the energy. Hope you are both making improvements everyday!
CrabbyGail
Posted 7/23/2011 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all. Im very interested to read your posts. It sounds just like me. I had my wrap done on June 29th & have lost bout 15lbs. My stomach also makes wayward rumbling sounds, usual when you least expect it. Very embarrassing at times.

I had a lot of pain around my left side ribs but my surgeon said that was because I had a piece of bowel twisted up & trapped under my spleen so that is extra healing my body has to deal with. It is starting to feel better & I can now sleep on my left side without to much difficulty.

I see my surgeon tomorrow for 4 week check & he's considering clearing me to return to part time work on light duties. Not sure if I'm ready cause like you I'm whacked by about 4.00pm & that's even with a midday 'nana nap'.

I'm still on a diet of soft mushy foods so maybe will be able to add a little more texture after tomorrows visit.

Hope you all continue to progress well with your recoveries.

Lynda
Posted 7/29/2011 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
UPDATE: DAY: 37:

Lynda I've lost about 13lbs total at this point. I'm eating pretty much whatever I want but very small bites and chewing, chewing, chewing, also very small portions. I have had NO ACID REFLUX it has been wonderful.

I still feel like I'm healing. I have a lot of energy one day then the next I'm zapped. But getting there. I still have to break pills in half to swallow a lot of times.

My thing is now, I've met with my GYN and she has put in on the schedule NEXT WEEK to get a Da Vinci Laparoscopic Hysterectomy! OUCH! She believes I should be healed enough to do it. She said she will be no where near the work I just had done. However, she does have to cut me on the largest incision where I had my Nissen. OUCH! All others will be below that. I am not looking forward to the gas. I do have to spend the night in the hospital on this one. I told them that I CANNOT get nauseated and vomit or I will undo all the work I just had done. They said they would keep me on anti nausea meds for me not to worry.

I am so glad I had the Nissen surgery, it did me wonders. I do not drink carbonated beverages just yet. Have tried to a couple of times but the bubbling and rumbling gas gets to me. I am sticking with my morning "Ice Coffee w/ creamer" and water for the most part. Tea on occasion.

I hope you all continue to heal well. I have had a good experience overall and hope others that are considering it have it done. There are so many negative posts out there and it is frustrating to those who have great success.

Good Luck to everyone!! I will keep you updated from time to time.

God Speed,
Sammi
Posted 7/29/2011 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update, Sammi! It sounds like you're doing everything right. Glad you're doing well. Good luck with your surgery.
Denise
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