Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia

Hi Gregg,

Welcome to Healing Well! Glad you've found us. I also found this forum before my surgery, and it helped me have the courage to move forward with it.

You're right that the surgeon's "3 weeks of soft foods" is misleading. It will take much longer than that to be eating with abandon again!

I was on liquids in the hospital, soft foods for 6 days, then anything that could be chewed to a complete liquid. I ate very carefully...tiny bites, and chew, chew, chew. The surgeon did tell me, no bread, sandwiches, or steak for about 8 weeks. Other than that, he trusted my judgement.

You'll want to stay away from iced drinks, and eat foods that aren't highly spicy or acidic. Your wrap will be healing at this time, and is still irritated from the surgery. Think about it, in your case, the stomach will have been pulled back into place (after being accustomed to its new position), then your hernia will be repaired, and the stomach fundus is wrapped around the esophagus and stitched there. That's quite traumatizing to your upper GI tract. It only makes sense that it takes time to heal.

That said, I was prepared for a horrible and hungry recovery, which wasn't the case. First of all, the stomach is swollen, and it interprets that as fullness. A few people don't have that sensation, and those people have to be especially careful to eat small amounts, since their stomach won't be reminding them.

You'll only be able to eat 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup of food at a sitting. It's best to eat a little bit throughout the day.

I had no problem with milk products. My hunch is that if you have trouble with milk products before the surgery, this will continue after the surgery. I lived on egg custard in the early days. You will find what works for you.

Actually, from some of the posts I'd read (not on this forum) I thought the recovery would be horrible, and it definitely wasn't. Of course, that's probably a point of view that grows out of attitude. If you can surrender to your recovery, and follow it where it takes you, you'll do much better. Some fight it, which makes it much more difficult.

Walking will be your friend. After surgery, you'll likely experience shoulder pain...some of it is from the gas they pump into you. I found that walking made a big difference to me. I started walking the halls in the hospital the day/night I had the surgery, as soon as my anesthesia wore off. The more I walked, the less my shoulder hurt.

I started walking slowly (on my treadmill--it was winter), and gradually increased my speed and distance. I also love walking (took a 4 mile hike yesterday!), so I understand your concern. I can't tell you exactly when you'll be walking to your heart's desire, but really, the time goes quickly, and you'll be back at it before you know it.

Be sure to ask any additional questions you might have. I'm sure others will be by to share their own experiences and information.

Again, welcome!
Denise

Cold drinks will cause spasms in your esophagus.

I was unique in my reactions after surgery. Cold drinks didn't bother me.
My pain was mostly gone after day three. I didn't have any gas pains in my shoulder either. I did get painful hiccups when over eating though.

Hi Gregg,

Actually, I'll amend my post...rather than cold drinks, I'll say iced drinks. You'll know right away how cold a drink you can tolerate.

In the beginning I didn't ice my drink, but after some time I found they didn't bother me, with the caveat that when I was having a spasm because something hung up a little in my wrap, iced water was not the best thing to use to wash it through. Warm tea or cool/room temp beverages were better.

I remember being in a restaurant and I got a piece of cherry tomato hung up...all I had was the restaurant iced water. After that I tried to order tea with my meal (just in case), and gave up tomatoes for a while! I suppose I could have asked for water with no ice.

I think you'll do fine with cold tea, just hold the ice for a while.

Again, glad you've joined us!
Denise

Hi Gregg,

I had this surgery 4 years ago. My stomach was up next to my heart. I had no choice but to have the surgery. I was not prepared for the dietary restrictions I needed to follow post-surgery. I lost 5 pounds a month and had terrible "dumping" episodes until I learned that I should not drink with meals. The narrowed stomach could not hold water and food. Two yummy suggestions for diet post surgery: !) If you can eat soy, there is a great pudding mix, available at most big grocery stores, Mori-Nu Mates. You mix it with Nori-Mu tofu. Delicious. 2) I made vegetable soup and then put it in the blender so everything was smooth and easy to digest.

Good luck to you.

Susan

Lynda,
Thanks for the post and information. Very helpful! I have my surgery a week from today (Mon, Aug 1) anything special I should do this week, or anything you wish you would have done before you went in? (Special last meals?!)
Gregg

Thanks Joy, good advice. I think I'm set! The small pillow, will I tend to cough more, or is that just in case I do. I assume, the gut would be sore if I coughed, from all the trauma it endured in the surgery, is that correct?

There is some post-surgery coughing for a couple of days so holding the pillow on your belly keeps everything still and minimizes the pain. I toted mine around for a week.

Just found this great string - thank you thank you thank you! I just had my surgery for my giant paraesophageal hernia last week and my biggest issue has been the shoulder pain! On those who chimed in about it, I went and took a walk after reading (even if it was 5:30am). It really kept me up last night so I am desperate to be rid of this stupid shoulder pain (which the pain killers help little).

Sounds like you are too tight.
Most of us are able to eat soft foods by 8 weeks with no trouble.
I'd get evaluated by a different doctor.

Hi Gregg. Not long now till your surgery. I guess you must be feeling a sense of relief as well as anxiety now that it is so close.

Sneezing was my biggest problem after surgery. It felt like my insides were being ripped apart so the pillow across my stomach was a godsend. I still cart it round with me (not sure if thats from fear or habit but its become my friend) & I still use it at night because I find it easier to turn over in bed with a bit of support across my belly because I had an open nissen.

During my last week I think the nesting instinct kicked in so I madly spring cleaned the house in readiness for my recovery (I'm the kind of person who cleans the house before the maid comes LOL). I also went out to my favourite restaurant for a meal because I knew it will be a while before I can eat there again.
The night before my surgery I had all my family at home for dinner (My 3 boys, their partners & my 6 grandchildren) It was a great night, truly a memorable 'last supper'. However you choose to spent yours I hope it is also memorable.

Over these next few days try to remain relaxed & calm & focus on how great your life is about to get once all this is behind you.

Best wishes for Monday.
Take care.
Lynda

thanks Joy, I have started a new thread.