Post Nissen Surgery

Emily-
Welcome to the wrapped club. I had some chest pains with both of mine. Nothing severe though. I think it maybe from them usually repairing a hiatal hernia.

Take care,
Bill

It's been a couple of weeks since I had my wrap (3 weeks) and here's my experience:

Week 1: Moderate pain, but tolerable. Constipation for 8 days.
Week 2: Shoulder pain subsided. Had a hard time talking for long durations, catching my breath.
Week 3: Had my post-op surgery and it went really well. Dr advised to experiment with new foods and I'll know my tolerable level. Of course, I took pointers from this website on listening to my body and CHEW CHEW CHEW.I had no diarreah, no excess gas, but MAN those hiccups HURT! :P



Well, for the past 4 days I have had a very odd sensation in my chest/upper stomach area. First of it's kind since the surgery. I feel it all throughout the day, after I eat, and especially when I wake up in the morning. It is not the same feeling of the heartburn I had prior to my stomach. This sensation, lightly painful, goes all the way up into my neck area at times.

Also, let me add my dumbness: Sunday night, without thinking, I hoisted the rear end of my dog up into bed with me. (We don't normally allow the dogs on the bed, but I was home alone with my husband activated for Hurricane Irene...yada yada) and I didn't even hesitate to lift her back end up into bed.

Does this sound like i strained anything? I've reverted back to liquids and soups and ice at night. It's not painful, but rather uncomfortable. I do have another appointment Sept 20th to get off of light duty and onto moderate duty.

I did a long icing last night and feel much better today. Still taking it easy with soft foods. :)

Hi Ann,

I don't have any more heartburn. The only new complaint is an odd sensation i get in my chest area that prompts me to take a big breath. It happens a few times throughout the day. I know my body is still healing and that It will be awhile before I am back to 100%. The food getting stuck feeling is very uncomfortable, thats my body's way of saying 'not so fast, lady!' Overall, I am doing well :)

Hi Ann,

I didnt have the sensation before the surgery. The best way to describe it is you know sometimes after a good cry you have quick breaths to calm down? I do that. The quick breaths part....not the good cry. I am still swollen to an extent and I know it will pass, but just wonder when. Good luck at your next series of tests. Weigh out your pros and cons and set an overall goal of what you would like to accomplish by either choosing the surgery or not.

-Emily

Hi Emily,

 

Have you thought of the possibility that you might be having a few mild spasms in your esophagus?  I know that they don't fit the pattern of all-out spasms, but that's the thought that came to my mind.

Everyone's recovery is SO different.  I remember speaking to my surgeon when he said that just when he thought he has heard every possible post-op symptom, someone comes in with a new one.

You're only 4 weeks post op.  According to my surgeon, "pretty much anything is possible during the early stages of recovery."

Have you called your surgeon's office?  If you're really concerned, go for it.  Just know that you're healing inside, and although your outsides healed quickly, your insides take a LOT longer.  I was told 6 weeks for most of the healing and a year for the rest.  I have found that I have continued to improve over the second year as well, believe it or not.  It takes time for your body to adjust to a brand-new, revised upper GI tract.

As I said, if you are worried, you should feel free to talk to someone in your surgeon's office.  (Although from experience, it is often not a very satisfying conversation! )  

Take care and hang in there.

It's a challenging recovery, but very manageable.

It will get better!

Denise

 

Emu...........................the pain in uir shoulders is due to co2 they put during the operation.im sure now ur healing well.mine was done 5 days ago...