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Posted 7/12/2011 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all!

Still relatively new to this site, but it's great to read everyone's stories and experiences. I have undergone all of the tests and met with a great bariatric surgeon in regards to the Fundoplication surgery. Months of sleepless nights and agonizing pain, I'm happy to get this heartburn behind me! My surgery is scheduled for August 8th.

I am now focusing on the surgery itself and post-Nissen lifestyle. I am a foodie, so I am going to have to cancel our DVR tapings of all of my food shows and my poor husband is going to have to figure out meals because as much as I love to cook, it would be difficult to not want to eat any of it!

I have a couple of questions with the food, seeing as it is different for everyone:

-has anyone had success with tartare or fish? (I am a sushi fanatic, but understand I need to forgo the rice for quite awhile.)

-I'm weening myself off of coffee, but was wondering what some preferred for Herbal teas and whether anyone had Kombucha in their post-diets?

-Any smoothie/juicer enthusiasts out there? Did you use Super Greens or spirulina in your smoothies/juices in the first few weeks?

-We are going on vacation about 6 weeks after my surgery and wanted to know if anyone had difficulty at amusement parks or watersports?

-I used to be an exercise guru, but fell off the wagon about a year ago when my GERD really got bad. I have read that many walk after a meal, but how soon do you begin working up a great sweat and how soon do you begin doing abdominal work?

-I'm a little concerned about the weight loss portion. I have read some people lose 10-25 lbs in the first two weeks. Is this accurate? I think that would be too much in a short amount of time. I've been losing about 2lbs a week to get back to my normal weight and been successful, but I think anything drastic would counter my efforts.

I know these are questions my doctor can answer, but I would like to hear from others in the same situation as it varies person to person.

Thanks for the feedback!

Wishing everyone a great summer, comfort in their recovery progress, and a great day!

 

Post Edited (Emu1984) : 7/12/2011 2:19:46 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/12/2011 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome future Wrapper!
Recovery is hard if you are a foodie. I made the mistake of doing my surgery four days before Christmas. :/
Every TV commerical was about food. >:-<
Your husband will find it very easy to fix foods for you the first two weeks...it's all liquids. Then soft foods and lastly firmer foods. It takes about six weeks before you can handle normal foods in very small portions. Your meals will be 1/2 cup at first the gradually moving up as you can tolerate.

Fish is a good soft food as long as it's baked and tender. I favor tilapia. I wouldn't eat tartare until week 12.
I like green tea, but hot drinks are a no-no for about 4 weeks. (iced drinks too)
Smoothies and juices are good for the first weeks, but be careful of high acidic smoothies and juices. They'll burn.
At six weeks you'll still have some bloating. I'm not sure if rides with a lot of G-forces will feel good at that time.
I think abdominal working out needs to wait for three months. Walking is okay during recovery, but take it easy at first. You won't feel like doing much the first two weeks.
I did lose 20 pound the first four weeks, but it came back with my regular eating started. You can keep your weight loss low by drink high calorie protein drinks.
Posted 7/13/2011 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Couchtater and thank you for the response!!

I'm not a TV person, but I love my cooking shows, so I'm guessing during my two week recovery I'll have to resort to a lot of books. ;)

I wasn't sure about green tea due to the caffeine, but I read about drinking other herbal teas? If I can drink lukewarm green tea, that would be great. And as far as the juices/smoothies go, I have found a few websites that offer great recipes and ones that I can alter to avoid the ingredients like citrus, or broccoli, etc. Would it be okay to add vitamins like Biotin, Iron, and acidophilus? I take them regularly, but suppose I should get vitamin specific with my my doctors. I read so much info about other GERD sufferers, that it's almost infomation overload. My questions may be similar to others.

I talked with my husband tonight and we are going to hold off on our vacation for another few months so that we can both enjoy it. I would hate to go to Disney and be limited on the rides.

Thanks for your quick email and tips. Protein in my smoothies is a good tip. I'll keep browsing around at everyone else's stories. It's reassuring to know others are in the same boat.

Posted 7/13/2011 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
I don't see any problems with taking vitamins. In fact my surgeon told me to take vitamins during my recovery. Acidophilus pearls are super easy to swallow while your swollen. They will help with the gas issues. Don't forget to get some gas-x strips to keep the belching down.
Posted 7/21/2011 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Emu1984,

I'll be interested in following your recovery after NF surgery. I'm a new member and my surgery is tentatively scheduled for next week.

I just went through several nightmarish days and nights after trying to take B vitamins - especially folic acid. Everyone is different but I thought I'd mention the problem I had in case the vitamins are new to you. They never 'sat well' on my stomach in years past but with all the bad stuff going on now with GERD, Hiatal Hernia and an wide-open LES the vitamins literally ripped me apart.

I wish you well with them because I know I really do need them myself. I'm going to have to find another way to get vitamin support other than in pill form.

Please keep us posted after your surgery. We need all the good news we can get.
Posted 7/25/2011 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Halloween,

My surgery is August 8th, so I'm preparing to be prepared. We just bought a juicer/food processor combo and I'm finding some great juices/smoothie recipes online. Vitamins haven't been so bad on me, I make sure to take them with meals. I'm really into hollistic wellness and you may be able to find homeopathic tinctures with the vitamin sources you are looking for. I need a lot of iron and I'm happy to have found some spinach juices/smoothies to perhaps offset the need for iron.

You said your surgery is in a week, but by the time I have responded it looks to be in a few days. Let us know how you do!!! :)
Posted 7/31/2011 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Well I have read lot of the People's post.. I am due to have my Tif.. sugery The 4th of Aug. I have had lots of sugery's. but this one is sort of scaring me a bit with the recovery???? I have had two total hip replacments and a knee replacment, but this sounds very scary?? I am a smoler and love my soda's/ but know that will be a no.no ,,after my sugery?? right?? the eating sounds like it is going to be hard just trying to find something to eat or drink that won't hurt me, what can I drink and eat, can I drink anything cold how bout water? I am very nervious about this,, can you lay in a pool :?? I am aftaid I will forget to ask the Doc. all I need to know afterwards!! Thanks and Good Luck to all of You!!:)
Posted 8/1/2011 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Honeylamb,

I'm wondering about going into a pool/lake, too. I have an appt tomorrow morning and will ask some of these questions.

Soda is definitely off limits post-recovery, I do know that answer.
Posted 8/1/2011 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
As long as you have external incisions you will need to hold of on the pool and baths until they are fully healed, but after that there is no reason not to.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 8/1/2011 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Honeylamb,

You can have cold water, but not iced. For caffeine fixes, you can do herbal teas (it is suggested throughout many of these threads). Although having some raw fruits and veggies is against doctor's orders, look at alkaline free fruits and veggies and buy a juicer. I found a list of these by searching the internet one night and we have it up on our fridge at home. The reason I suggest this is because you can get energy out of the right foods you intake, and some people NEED that energy (those of us who love coffee/tea). I just bought a juicer/food processor combo and it's been great so far. It will definitely come in handy once I'm put on liquids and soft foods.

I Highly encourage you to stop smoking, I know smokers hate to hear that. It was a question I was asked about 5 times today for anesthesia purposes.

And Bill's message above is true about water activities. I was hoping to go float in the lake about a week post-surgery, but they advised to wait at least 2 weeks.

This can be a big life changing surgery for some. We have to adapt our eating/drinking habits tremendously. It's kind of great though because if you think of it, this is our body's way of talking to us. If we feed it the right foods, it will heal better and we won't go through possible future problems. Very rarely (I'm sorry Bill...you are going on surgery number 3, correct?), will this procedure have to be corrected.

Take some time in the morning and evening and focus on what you want the outcome to be, how you can achieve it, and be realistic in knowing it may take some weeks before you are back up to normal.

I'm in school for Complementary Healthcare, so any holistic means to heal the body I am for, but there are time's when surgery is necessary. This forum is WONDERFUL! I've shown it to my husband so that he can come on and get a look at what recovery/surgery/diagnosis is like. It's calmed my nerves to know there is a community here. It's scary, but your body will thank you and you will feel much better once it is fixed. Keep us posted on our concerns/situation as the time goes by.

-Emily
Posted 8/1/2011 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,
I am new to this board and I am recovering from NF surgery as of 7-14-11 (18 days)
I know everyone heals differently and not all doctors agree on diet plans but I would like to share my experience with you. The day of surgery when I woke they gave me broth, tea, apple juice and a Popsicle. I was happy to get everything but the tea and I was scared to try the apple juice at first because my thinking had been messed up with years of GERD! The day following surgery I asked if I could have coffee and they said no problem. I love my coffee! After about 5 days of juices and broths I started blending up stuff like creamy chunky soups and banana apple smoothies. I am now on what the doctor calls a casserole diet, I can have noodles, beans and other soft foods. PLEASE know I have had a few setbacks! I ate too much twice and that is painful! And I learned no eating 4 hours before bed. Chewing OMG everything must be chewed really well and a stool softener is suggested. I know it’s early but I really am happy I got the NF and I am going to make some lifestyle changes to keep GERD out of my life!
Dan

Post Edited (vulpine) : 8/1/2011 2:13:00 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/1/2011 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Dan!
I'm glad to welcome you to the Wrapped Club! You sound like you're progressing well.
Posted 8/1/2011 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Dan
You are learning on your own what I was told frequently and still live by, let your body tell you when to do it and when not to..
welcome to the wrapped club and please stay with us to share your experiences.. If you have questions jsut ask, everyone here is happy to help..

Again, welcome to the Wrapped Club!

Sandi
Posted 8/1/2011 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the welcome :o)
I had to update my post, I got my dates mixed up! (wife’s keeping me honest) the 21st was a check up and the day I got my staples removed. I had surgery on the 14th anyways yes I am doing really well and totally agree the body knows. I wanted to return back to work early (office Job) but as many of you know the liquid diet is… well… liquid in liquid out and work stress is as my doctor said “In direct conflict with healing”. So I will keep coming on here and stay in touch with my new found wrapper friends.
I also wanted to add that my total experience so far is much better than I expected! I changed surgeons 1 week prior to surgery and they had to postpone it for a month and they put me in a different hospital. This was all based on (pardon the pun) “a gut feeling”. A doctor friend of mine also worked at that same hospital and it was nice to see him.
I will post more about my complete post op process on another thread. Those going in may find it helpful as my wife got some really helpful stuff RIGHT HERE before my surgery, so I will be paying it forward for those it may help.
Dan
Posted 8/1/2011 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dan,

So nice to welcome you.

Im very pleased you are recovering well & yes setbacks are very normal on the recovery road. Continue to listen to your body & take each day as it comes.

Best wishes

Lynda
Posted 8/2/2011 3:10 AM (GMT 0)

  • Hi Emu1984 .. Thank you so much for all the advice, I need all I can get, Yes stop SMOKING Is My #1 Thing, I have to  STOP!!!and all the other advice is Great Thank you for taking the time for all  the good advice you gave and anything else you or anyone who can help me I app. it I only have 2 more days, it is scary!! Thank You Bunches!!!:)                                                                                                                                                            Emu1984 said...
    Hi Honeylamb,

    You can have cold water, but not iced. For caffeine fixes, you can do herbal teas (it is suggested throughout many of these threads). Although having some raw fruits and veggies is against doctor's orders, look at alkaline free fruits and veggies and buy a juicer. I found a list of these by searching the internet one night and we have it up on our fridge at home. The reason I suggest this is because you can get energy out of the right foods you intake, and some people NEED that energy (those of us who love coffee/tea). I just bought a juicer/food processor combo and it's been great so far. It will definitely come in handy once I'm put on liquids and soft foods.

    I Highly encourage you to stop smoking, I know smokers hate to hear that. It was a question I was asked about 5 times today for anesthesia purposes.

    And Bill's message above is true about water activities. I was hoping to go float in the lake about a week post-surgery, but they advised to wait at least 2 weeks.

    This can be a big life changing surgery for some. We have to adapt our eating/drinking habits tremendously. It's kind of great though because if you think of it, this is our body's way of talking to us. If we feed it the right foods, it will heal better and we won't go through possible future problems. Very rarely (I'm sorry Bill...you are going on surgery number 3, correct?), will this procedure have to be corrected.

    Take some time in the morning and evening and focus on what you want the outcome to be, how you can achieve it, and be realistic in knowing it may take some weeks before you are back up to normal.

    I'm in school for Complementary Healthcare, so any holistic means to heal the body I am for, but there are time's when surgery is necessary. This forum is WONDERFUL! I've shown it to my husband so that he can come on and get a look at what recovery/surgery/diagnosis is like. It's calmed my nerves to know there is a community here. It's scary, but your body will thank you and you will feel much better once it is fixed. Keep us posted on our concerns/situation as the time goes by.

    -Emily

Posted 8/3/2011 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Guys I need all the help I can get Thanks Bill, I think I will stay in the pool all day tomorrow and relax before I have to go in Thursday morning at 9;00 for my tif sugery..GRRRRRRRRRR :)
Posted 8/3/2011 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Oh Thank You EMU.. Let me know,, I know I will Miss my coke's and cig. but I need to quit smoking anyway!! Good luck at Doc.:) wink
Posted 8/3/2011 12:30 AM (GMT 0)

opnwhl4 said...
As long as you have external incisions you will need to hold of on the pool and baths until they are fully healed, but after that there is no reason not to.

Take care,
Bill   Thanks Bill,, I will lay in the pool tomorrow since Thursday is my D Day!:LOL

Posted 8/3/2011 12:31 AM (GMT 0)

Emu1984 said...
Honeylamb,

I'm wondering about going into a pool/lake, too. I have an appt tomorrow morning and will ask some of these questions.

Soda is definitely off limits post-recovery, I do know that answer.   Thanks I will check back to see what he says,, wink

Posted 8/3/2011 12:38 AM (GMT 0)

kyheart said...
Dan
You are learning on your own what I was told frequently and still live by, let your body tell you when to do it and when not to..
welcome to the wrapped club and please stay with us to share your experiences.. If you have questions jsut ask, everyone here is happy to help..

Again, welcome to the Wrapped Club!

Sandi   Hi Sandi What is the wrapped club? Just wondering...(honeylamb)

Posted 8/3/2011 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
honeylamb

The wrapped club is people who have had the Nissen Fundoplication surgery.. ( I think they do the same general procedure in the tiff surgery, not familiar with tiff as I had the Nissen) in other words we have had our stomachs and esophagus' fixed so that hopefully there is no more reflux...

Hope I have answered your question..

Reach for the Sunshine...
Sandi
Posted 8/8/2011 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
I have to be at the hospital tomorrow morning at 0545hrs for my wrap. I'm anxious, excited, nervous, calm....a bundle of emotions. After much anticipation: the day is here!!! I'll send updates on the experience as soon as I can :)
Posted 8/8/2011 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck tomorrow!
Posted 8/8/2011 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Emily

Best wishes for your surgery tomorrow. Will be thinking of you.

Lynda
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