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Posted 10/21/2011 6:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

It sounds like a silly question right? But truth is I'm not sure.

I had the surgery just over 6 weeks ago. I am feeling quite alright after the whole ordeal. In fact, my recent posts have been to the effect of when can I start running, golf, yoga, gymming etc...

But last night was real concerning. I kept on burping. It was those burps that you feel the food. Sort of taste what it was you had. Sorry for detail. It kind of felt like I had reflux. But I wasn't sure. My problem before the surgery was that I used to get such bad reflux at night, that I couldn't sleep, or would wake up chocking on the reflux. I never really felt heartburn as such, just that my throat was full. Now it's not like that. Or not that bad. I just feel that my throat is going dry, I keep that burping for a while, and that there COULD be something there. Then I convince my self it's nothing cause I don't have to vomit and that I can fall asleep, and I didn't choke at all.

Is it just my dumb oesophagus? Many people talk a lot about your oesophagus giving you strange symptoms. Ok, but 6 weeks after?

Please, what do you guys think? I need some expert advice here. Have phoned to book an appointment with specialist, but believe it or nit he is away at the moment. Think I can see him after two weeks. A long time to be anxious about something if there might not be a need. I guess I could see someone else, but he ws my surgeon and all so I would really like to see him.

I could also live with the fact that I might be like normal people out there that occasionally get acid and need to take some gaviscon now and then when they have overdone it! Perhaps that's what they feel when getting the old slight indigestion... Do you think it's safe or wise to try some gaviscon if it happens again? I mean, I presumably cant throw up, so what if it feels all funny after taking it. How long is it in the sysytem for?

Sorry for the distressed pleas for help here, I just really don't want to believe that I will be back where I was so soon. I believed that I wouldn't be at all distressed if after ten years or something it starte failing and I would then have to consider a redo. I'd do it in a flash.

But not in the first few years, never mind weeks! BTW, what is the soonest you could have a redo if you had to? And if one had to do it, would it be worse to bear than the first or do you think it would be easier since you know what to expect. I know master Bill could shed some light on that.

Thanks guys,

Hope you have a stunning weekend.

Darryl

Posted 10/21/2011 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
Darryl-

Fist, try to relax. It is very common to have some symptoms 6 weeks or even 6 months out from time to time. sometimes it is as simple as a certain food just didn't agree with your stomach. Remember everyone has some reflux and there is a "normal" amount of it. If the symptom is very bothersome, try some type of antacid to calm things and see how it is tomorrow.
some people do have to have a low dose ant acid or PPI after this surgery, but it's rare. I also wouldn't jump to anything like that until the year mark unless very bad.

If you have done something to damage the wrap you will feel it come apart. Usually a vomiting attack or as I had, another surgery that destroys it.

As far as recovering from a redo goes, for me this last one was by far my easiest by far. I did have complications after my first redo due to the original nissen being done wrong. It is different for everyone though. Maybe Michelle will chime in here since she also has had 3 nissens.

If things continue to feel as if you are refluxing please get into your GI and see if they think your should have a PH study to confirm or rule out reflux.

Take care,
Bill devil
Posted 10/21/2011 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
I never "felt" when my nissin came apart. In fact it never felt "right" to me. first it seemed things stuck there, then after awhile started reguritating food. I think that was around 6 months. I think I vomitied around a couple of months. I did not know what to expect. Have to have it redone soon.
Posted 10/22/2011 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hiya -

It hasn't felt like anything coming apart. It's all been fine. Like I said, no reflux for six weeks, then just the past two nights this uncomfortable feeling that there's something there. I keep burping all the time. There is no burning, and it's not like I used to have to vomit the stuff out. This morning my throat is quite sore. Ahh man, I hope it's just a kink or something. It's been so great to go to bed at night without stress of the question; to vomit or to wake up choking....
Posted 10/22/2011 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Darryl,
Did you have the TIF or Nissen? If you have had no reflux up to this point, I believe you are doing great! I was told it takes a good 3 to 4 months to heal and longer as some people state on this forum, they get better all the time. I had my TIF almost 4 weeks ago and have experienced reflux quite often and I am still on my ppi's and eating a no trigger food diet. I am noticing it getting better though. I am trying to relax and put it in the Lords hands. If you have gone 6 weeks without symptoms I think you are going to be fine. Definitely talk to your Dr to rest your worries. Good luck and hang in there!!!
Kristi
Posted 10/23/2011 6:29 AM (GMT 0)
Lol - Thanks all...

2b - You're so right. I decided to have more faith. Believe that all is well. And not to jump at these small hints of
symptoms and make them out so bad. I did have a great night last night. We had a braai (BBQ) last night. I ate at about 8pm. I had fatty lamb ribs, boerewors (sausage), garlic bread, salad with tomatoes and onion. I had two gassy alcoholic beverages. AND, was in bed two hours later. A veritable GERD dream if ever there was one right? I had absolutely no issues! So, I don't think I should panic. Like I said, maybe my system is now like other people. Sometimes when over loaded or, just whenever it feels like it, I will have some symptoms. Then perhaps something like Gaviscon will help! What do you think? But, pre-surgery, nothing helped. I would have my last light meal around 2pm, and just hope and pray that things would have settled by the time I went to bed. And more likely than not, they normally still didn't, and the ONLY way I would get relief or some sleep would be to vommit it all out.

So - I will be more optimistic about it. It's just that you hear that so many never have any symptoms ever again and can hit anything. Then you compare and find yourself not so sure, and you get depressed.


I do believe though I have prevelant Candida - So am embarking on a Candida diet as of tomorrow to try ekiminate that from my system. So I should feel better after that too.

Cheers, Darryl
Posted 10/23/2011 9:26 AM (GMT 0)
Good sign buddy.

Had you eaten anything in particular when you had those episodes?? I've had similiar when I had spicy or rich food. I put that down to my stomach freaking out after months of plain and easy food, just like a change in diet would, rather than prob with my wrap. It kinda makes sense if your stomach has been used to simpler things for a while that it might need time to adjust. Keep an eye on what causes it, and how often, def good idea to mention it to your doc. You must take heart from your recent good night, if it was broke you would have known it I guess.

Kevin
Posted 10/23/2011 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Darryl,

After having a Nissen surgery, you can have food and liquid pool at the wrap site.  Then, when you burp, it sends everything upward, and even into your mouth.  The clue that it's not reflux, is that although you might taste some of what you've eaten, it will not be acidic in the least.

I had just that happen when I was at your stage of healing...and actually still do, occasionally.  Just like you, it scared me.

My money is on that scenerio.

Glad you're doing well!

Have a lekker day! turn

Denise

Posted 10/23/2011 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Darryl,

Add the burning feeling back and I know just how you feel.
I'm at 3 months in about a week and I still can't eat much or sleep well.

I've lost close to 50 lbs and can only eat about 500 calories a day. I'm
getting a little depressed now when before it had only be a touch of anxiety
related to recovery.

If I had real signs of progress I could handle it but when your esophagus
hurts and burns at night so badly you can't sleep and nothing helps it,
you're really up a tree.

Hubby and I are trying to decide what to do next since my surgeon is at
a total loss.

I wish you well.
Posted 10/24/2011 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Darryl

You are still so early in your recovery. I honestly hesitate to say that there is anything wrong with your wrap. I am at almost 7 months and occasionally I have regurgitation from my esophagus into my throat and I can taste what I have eaten or drank. But there is no acid.. I would say that you need to be patient and be sure to chew well and do not over eat.. sometimes it will have a tendency to stay in your esophagus for a while..
Please let us know what is going on.. and
Reach for the Sunshine... Rainbows will follow

Sandi
Posted 10/24/2011 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Darryl. I've had the surgery 3 times. The first two my surgeon tried to tighten it. The last time he really messed it up so I'm due for a fourth, different surgeon of course. My recoveries were the same, fairly easy, sore for a few weeks but nothing major. I could burp normally after my wrap swelling went down which seemed like a few days. They say it can be swollen for weeks. That was not the case with me. When my wrap is swollen, like after a scope, I can feel acid trying to come up, I get a pressure for a few seconds and then it goes away. After a few days, that pressure goes away and I get my symptoms back. Like Denise said, you could have food and liquid puddling at the wrap. I get that occasionally and it feels like there's acid sitting at the back of my throat, that if I bend over it's going to come up. It seems to last all day which makes my nights difficult.

You are still early in healing and you have to remember that your stomach is smaller so it can't handle as much. If you overeat, the food has nowhere else to go but up which can cause reflux and burning. I don't have a problem with carbonation since I can burp, sometimes better than my fiance! But it can cause pressure in your stomach and on the wrap.

I know I expected to be back to 'normal' after surgery but that is definitely not the case. They pretty much redo most of your digestive system and there will be quirks you need to work out. I say take it easy, watch your diet and portions and give it time.
Posted 10/24/2011 6:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys -

You are all so right. Had another symptom free night last night.
I think I may have been pushing it. The thing is, somedays I feel so good, I probably believe I'm INVINCIBLE. Lol, NOT. I do though just feel so good somedays, that it makes me believe I should feel that way everyday! It's funny that, feeling good... I have suffered so long from GERD and anxiety, that I've always wondered how "normal" people feel. Do you think people that don't go through these insufferable chronic probs we face feel good most days, most of the day? Sometimes I wonder, is that actually possible? Especially with anxiety couple to it, I really think a lot of people feel something, it is annoying or concerning for a couple of minutes, but then they forget about it and it passes. With anxiety, you feel what they feel, but then you begin to stress and obsess about it, and could result in an anxiety attack or just frayed nerves for the rest of the day. We are just so used to suffering that it takes away most of our day. SUX! We just make ourselves so differnet from the rest. I know we are. We suffer. We can't eat this, can't do that, it really does take over our identity completely. We become our affliction. That's why I ask the question what "normal" people feel.
Sorry if that seems random. It's just what I realized in my life. My mission since surgery has been to become a positive person. See the positive in each and every situation. But with GERD and anxiety it makes it hard. But that is my mission and what I'll try from now on. So when I get discouraged by the slightest symptom, I will flood it with positive thought, acceptance and gratitude, and hopefully in some bizarre way, it will work as the universe intended it to, and it will pass in due course.
We are normal people, we "just" have a condition.
So, that was just my thought for the day.

Wow Michelle, all that in the space of two years. Ouch, but you have some massive courage to pull through all of that. Impressed. I hope this one will be your last. You're obviously looking out for the best surgeon possible? Is it worse recovering from a redo compared to the first? Does it get easier? I so hope I never have to find out.

Halloween, good luck on the decision. I also begin to get depressed when I think it was all a failure. I can't imagine what it must feel like for you. Hope it comes right.

Darryl
Posted 10/24/2011 7:13 AM (GMT 0)
I know there are many many people who have suffered much longer than I have but if I could have one 'normal' day or even an hour, I'd be happy. I totally understand the feeling of being invisible. I still get like that. I'll have a great day, minimal symptoms so I'll slip on the diet and one bite too many will curse me the rest of the day. It's frustrating but reality. I have anxiety and depression and I know that my anxiety and reflux butt heads. If one gets worse, so does the other and it's a big mess. I got so sick of it that I said I would not let this hold me back but then I was diagnosed with POTS recently and it's another roadblock in my plan. Every day is new and I've learned to take it one at a time. I am my own support system along with the friends here, my family thinks it's all in my head, so I have to stay positive. There's always someone worse off than 'you'.

I have found a set of great doctors that have teamed up to treat me. It only took 3 years and a cabinet full of meds! Lol I think all the recoveries were the same. After the first, it was a little easier because I knew what to expect. They used the same incisions so I don't have a ton of scars but during my third, the surgeon spent a lot of time removing scar tissue. I heal fairly quickly and have a high pain tolerance so I think that helped.
Posted 10/24/2011 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Darryl, you're young and should do better soon and if not you've got time to find the answers. We all have the time really - if we only stick with it and look for the answers.

We called the GI this morning about an appt to spell out what's still going on with me and for a referral if he feels he can't help.

Mornings are hard on me if I didn't sleep well the night before.
Yesterday was one of those nights. lol

You get better soon! I know a bit of patience will help and it couldn't hurt.

Halloween aka Rita
Posted 10/25/2011 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
Ta Rita -

Yeah, I don't think any one doc could always have all the answers. It's about exposure, so perhaps more opinions is the way forward. Good luck.

I been doing great the last few days. I do believe I should just slow down and not push. Ie, still remember to chew, slowly introducing foods, although I think I've pretty much covered everything now. Just remember my stomach is not the size it used to be. So don't overeat! If that's all remembered, I think I'm fine!

Cooool, have a nice day all.
Darryl
Posted 10/26/2011 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
DARRYL

This surgery is all about patience... PATIENCE.. you must chew chew chew and take small bites.. and always remember that even though you are not restricted to 1/2 cup of food at a meal.. your meals will probably be smaller for a good while. OH HMMM.. that is what you said you need to remember.. We are here to help you remember that... Take your time.. you will get to where you want to be in no time...
If you remember what you reminded your self of.. that you need to take your time and chew and go slowly for a while.. you will be fine..
Stay with us and let us join you for this trip down the road to recovery...

Reach for the Sunshine.. Rainbows will follow
Sandi turn yeah turn yeah smurf
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