Hi I'm new - recent Nissen Fundo Op

Hi Donna,

Glad to meet you!  Welcome to The Wrapped Club! Your situation sounds a bit like another member here, Cindy123, who had her wrap about 10 months ago.  Perhaps she will stop by and chat...letting you know about her experience.  Like you, she didn't have symptoms prior to the surgery, so the recovery is that much more difficult to take.  I totally understand.

That said, what you're experiencing is very common in the early stages.  Hang in there...things will improve.  Like you, I had read lots of horror stories on the internet and was very worried about horrible complications.  This forum was a lifesaver for me.  People here were far more realistic and could see past the difficulties to the positive life-enhancing aspects of the surgery.  I waited far too long to have it because of my fears.  I had the surgery in February 2009, and know just what you're experiencing.

I found walking really helped the shoulder pain. The more I walked, the less shoulder pain I had.  Just hike around your house...It may also help you pass gas out the other way as well.

You didn't say when you had your surgery, or what day you are post op.  In the early stages many stomachs rebel and don't want food.  Newly created wraps get tired and start hurting after much swallowing.  This is very common.  Be sure you're not drinking water/drinks with a straw.  It introduces too much air into your stomach.

Have your read my recover journal?  It might set your mind at ease regarding some of the early healing and eating issues:  https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443  Just a thought.

Again, welcome to Healing Well!  Glad you've joined up.

Take care,

Denise

Hi Donna, I can relate to your story. I discovered I had acid reflux July of last year and on January 31st I had my full wrap surgery. I think too that I had jumped the gun. I didn't have any symptoms either other than a pain more to my upper chest. I started investigating. I discovered that I had some damage starting to happen to my esophaugus. I did not have Barretts, however I was afraid of getting it and more importantly, getting cancer....so I opted for surgery even without trying to see if acid pills would help. I just wanted to fix it.

I am into my 10th month and I can now tell you that I am happy I did it. I had a rough recovery because I wasn't expecting the recovery to take so long. I didn't start feeling better until after my 7th month. I had a rough time burping but it does get better. I used to cry every morning and say "why did I do this", but Denise and another friend on this forum helped me to understand more about the benefits of having this surgery.

Don't look back, it will only make your recovery that much harder. My surgeon said that the acid pills are not good for you and that you should only be on them for a short period of time.. you take it for a month and come off for a month. I didn't want to be bothered. According to my surgeon, this is a minor surgery....it was like living in hell for the past 7-8 months. I found the surgery that much harder because I didn't appreciate the surgery...I had silent reflux. My surgeon also said that my recovery would be 2 to 4 weeks.

Are you able to burp???? The gas, the bloatedness and the shoulder pain will go. Your stomach controls you now so listen to it. Don't push the recovery.

Take care.

Cindy

Donna
I am almost 8 months post Lap Nissen and I am 62 years old. I would do this all again if my doctors ever told me it was necessary. I had issues with GERD for about 12-13 years. I took a variety of PPI's and each time they changed them, the dosage would get stronger. I finally said.. ENOUGH... I am so sorry that you feel, after only six days, that you may have made a mistake.
My surgeon also told me my recovery would take 4-6 weeks.. what do they know?? They are the surgeon, he knew how to do the procedure. He knows nothing of the recovery except that I was going to have to be on full liquids for 2-3 weeks.. I was blessed to have such a skilled surgeon, but for all of his skill, he did not know so much about recovery... he has never HAD the surgery...
I am still recovering.. as far as recovery goes, I feel blessed that I had this forum and these friends to direct me about what is normal and to encourage me through this recovery. I am blessed!!!!! Please hang in there and if you wish to gripe, we are here to listen to you and stand by you through it all. We have been where you are or we can at least imagine what you are feeling if we have not yet experienced it. Your recovery is difficult, we know that... it will be especially hard because you were not suffering before you had it.. most of us were.. but, you will be thankful that you had it in the long run. I hope some of what I have said to you makes sense, I wanted to try to help you make some sense of it even though you are doubtful right now... Please surrender to your recovery and just let it flow.. you will be a much happier patient.. and it will be so much easier for you than if you fight it.. just remember that your wrap doesn't stop swelling until about the 14th day.. after that it is pretty much downhill.. you can coast.. and flow with your recovery..
Please continue to come here to the forum and ask all the questions you would like and gripe as much as you need.. we will be here to listen and support..
Reach for the Sunshine.. Rainbows will follow..
Sandi

Hi Donna,

Many surgeons have their patients remain on PPIs during their recovery, both to protect the healing wrap and ward off the possibility that the swelling wrap allows some reflux through.  We all worry that our surgeries were a failure when we feel what seems to be reflux. You're not alone, but relax...it doesn't mean that your surgery was a failure!   

Sometimes it actually is reflux--my surgeon said that "anything is possible in the early healing days and weeks".  That's because the swollen wrap can be misshapen, and it's very possible that a bit of acid could escape.  Another cause of "reflux" feelings post-op is that the esophagus is a "dumb organ" and it interprets all pain as reflux.

We're glad you've joined us!

Happy Healing,

Denise

 

 

     Hi Donna

    

   Welcome to the wrapped club, I am a pretty new member, joined in Oct. I can tell you the people on this forum are the best, we can complain and whine and ask questions and be scared and in fear and they stand right next to you and you feel so much better and know you are not alone. I found it so hard to talk to my friends about all this because they truly don't understand it.This surgery is not an everyday thing and the SURGEON is just the person that does the procedure. It does take your body time to adjust and I wish I HAD found this great group to talk much earlier. my wrap done on 12-6-10. I think my stress levels would have been much less, I WORRIED about every gurggle and noise.

   I Love the quote let your recovery flow.

           Take good care Julix

      Denise I love your the esophagus is a dumb organ I even told that to my Dr.and he wanted to know where I READ that and I told him on a forum and he wanted to know which one since alot of them do read like a horror story and I told him Healing Well and he said that it was a good one.... I THOUGHT WHO KNEW... maybe he has read some of the posts. Maybe more Drs should read it and learn something about recovery.

      Thanks Julix

 

Hi Donna,

See if you can get him to prescribe Protonix (it comes in a generic form).  It's tiny!

Good luck!

Denise

Thank you Lynda - that's made my day

I got some Aloe Vera juice today so I'm hoping that will help with the healing. Been to the doc Denise - he gave me soluble Omeprazole

Thanks both
Donna

Morning all,

It's now day 8 had a good day yesterday but an feeling very nauseous this morning - is this normal?

Thank you
Donna

Hi Donna,

Thank you for sharing your experiences. For someone who is on day 2 post-op today, it helps to hear how others are doing that are a bit further along.

Day 2 so far is not too fun (waiting on that Lortab to kick in this morning!), but I keep reminding myself why I did this. In the end, it will be worth it. 1 year ago today I was feeling absolutely terrible. I was a 31 year old man that had to temporarily live with his parents because my reflux was so bad it caused all day long pain and made it difficult to even take care of myself. I was at my worst low mentally and physically, I was in a really bad place. Today, a year later, after trying every non-surgical treatment possible, I pulled the trigger and had the surgery, knowing it was my best chance at feeling better. I'm sure 1 year from now I will be very glad I had the surgery.

I'm glad you are having better days now and I am looking forward to reading more about your recovery. This forum has really been amazing. The stories here are great. Thank you!

Donna-
Glad you got the anti nausea pills. It's a good idea to keep a script of these because the odds are you won't be able to vomit and dry heaves are horrible. They can also damage the wrap.

bowecho-
Early on it is a good idea to take the pain meds at somewhat regular intervals. If you wait until it is hurting it will take longer to get it under control.


Take care,
Bill

Hi Bill

Thank you - I've been given Prochlorperazine, not very quick acting... is this one OK or is there a better one I should ask for. I did ask for a perscription to keep just in case but they won't give me one, they said I have to make an appointment but that may be too late .... I may have to go for over the counter options if I'm in urgent need at a later date

Regards
Donna

Thank you Bill,

My surgeon told me to go to my GP for any meds I feel I need or to ring the hospital for any concerns. My GP's the one who said to make an appointment. I have a check-up with my surgeon on the 13th December as part of the 'closure' then that's it. They seem to be a lot better in the States with this kind of thing - you seem to have regular contact with your surgeons, we don't have that luxury over here - they do the op then a follow-up and that's it.

The pills he gave me are and anti psychotic which was a bit worrying

Regards
Donna