Hello Everyone

Alexis-
I was in the hos[ital for 3 days with my first 2 and 1.5 weeks with my last redo on 8/24/11, but that one was done as an open surgery.

Stay away from carbonated drinks, do not use a straw, and avoid very cold drinks( can cause spasms). Actually slightly warm drinks help to relax the esophagus and helps when you eat. Be prepared to only be able to eat about a 1/4 cup at a time for at least a couple weeks. The key is to eat very small frequent meals and chew VERY well. Also wait until you feel the food go past the wrap before taking another bite.

Don't get discouraged about feeling lousy the first few weeks or so. The wrap area will swell for about 2 to 3 weeks and then slowly go down. Do take pain meds when you need them. Don't wait until the pain is over bearing because it will be harder to get under control. There is a very real possibility your bowels will go haywire. Like having IBS because of the trauma to your system.

Please be sure to get anti nausea meds for at home. You do not want to be dry heaving. I keep them on hand at all times because I can't vomit after the surgery. Some people can, but most can't.

Remember that once your incisions heal your inside are not healed yet. It takes a good 6 months to a year before everything is fully healed.

Take care,
Bill

Thanks very much for the info I can't take  pain so well sometimes if I have enough of it I can throw up. I had a french vanilla tonight and its really not agreeing with I hate it cause everything that I try and drink or eat i wanna throw up I know it will be hard when I come home. My surgreon wants me out in two days I am just really worried about the walking part. I had my appendix out last feb and they had sent me home a day to early and everything I ate or drank I threw up for 36 hours. And I know I can't have this done with this or it will ruin the outcome of surgrey all I can say is hopefully the heartburn will finally go away was told I had this in 2008 so 4 yrs of suffering. Trust me I hate this if anyone could tell  me if Ensure would be a good thing or anything else I would greatly apperciate Alexis VIEW IMAGE

Thanks again I have Cerebral Palsy in my left side of my body so it might effect me more then others cause they got two hands to try and move quick. But thanks again what have you been eating and Drinking cause my surgeon said two weeks of liquids I love my food and I am skinny enough now I will looose more weight what fun. So when was your Sugrey mine is next Thursday at 8am I am really worried about my outcome I really hope I don't get this (Dumping Symdrome) that alot of people have experienced on here. Can any suggest good liquids for me to eat and to buy so I will get full of what I am eating and don't feel sick from hunger. Thanks Again Alexis My Surgrey will be next Thursday at 8am at THE HAMILTON GENERAL HOSPITAL here in hamilton ont Thanks everyone for the info

Hi Alexis,

Good luck with your surgery next week!  If you have a tendency to have nausea, be SURE to tell your surgeon.  He/she will want you to have anti-nausea meds at hand, because retching and vomiting are very hard on your wrap, and can actually cause it to fail.  Take it seriously.

Yes, Ensure and things like that are good for your first couple weeks.  I've heard of people who blenderize soups to make everything liquid, and enjoy that.  Be sure to ask your surgeon for suggestions.

I was only in the hospital overnight.  I went in one morning, had the surgery about 10AM, recovered during the day and overnight, and was released the next morning about 10AM.

Try to get your surgeon to write a script for pain meds in an elixir (liquid) form.  It's amazing how they tell us to only take liquids, then give huge solid pills for us to swallow!  Insist on liquid!

Also, get some liquid Tylenol (adult strength) to have when you don't need the narcotic pain med.  You'll probably need the heavy duty kind at night longer than during the day.

As for dumping syndrome...it's a temporary problem, and will resolve once your stomach adjusts to its new cofiguration.

I second (or is it "third") the motion that you should get up and start walking.  I was walking the halls at the hospital whenever I got up to go to the bathroom.  A night nurse gave me that tip, and it wa a great one. 

I found the more I walked, the less my shoulder hurt, and visa-versa.

Again, good luck with your surgery!  Glad you've joined us.

Best wishes,

Denise

Thanks everyone I am so afarid I am thinking about cancelling my surgrey what do u all think I am hearing to many horror stories on how many people are suffering really bad from the Nissen Fundo

Hi Alexis,

Your doctor will definitely give you a pain medication for when you leave the hospital.  The strange thing is that many of us have had to battle it out with our docs to get liquid versions.  Be sure to contact your surgeon's office well ahead and request liquid pain medication.

You don't have to take Tylenol...it's just that the narcotic drugs can make you feel ill after a while, and the Tylenol is much easier on your stomach.

Don't worry about the surgery.  You'll do fine.

Denise

Thank Starry and Denise!!!! this is a whole new experience my friend has a hernia and is scared to death to have anything done with it?
Starry what have you been eating how is your healing coming along? thxs Alexis

I am crying cause I am in so much pain it travels from my lungs (Asthama) which makes it hard to breath sometimes sevre chest pains hurts the liver ribs and and the hernia blows up into my pancreas I have had this for 4 yrs just gottten worse in the last yr plus I suffer sereve painc attacks on meds for those too and I have Cerebral Palsy in my left side too. I have had so many sugries in life its crazy I just don't want another sugrey. So if I don't get this done it would kill me eventually?

Alexis,

Paraesophageal hernias tend to get larger. They can be dangerous. Eventually, not only your stomach, but your intestines can move into your chest if you don't have surgery. It sounds like yours is causing problems that will be relieved from surgery. Over half of my stomach was in my chest pressing against my other organs. I have asthma and anemia related to the hernia. Your surgeon will pull your stomach back to where it belongs and it will take pressure off of your liver, lungs and other organs. It sounds like you definitely need the surgery and it will give you relief from pain. Your problem will not correct itself.

Try to relax and think of how much better you'll feel a month from now!

Starry

Alexis,
Everyone is different, of course, so you may not need all of this advice. I slept in a chair with my feet up for a couple of nights after the hospital. I tried the bed but it hurt too much. I can sleep in a bed now, but only on my back. I suggest having a few pillows wherever you are (sofa, bed, car) as they help to keep you comfortable, especially if you sneeze or cough. A heating pad is useful, too.

If you have a tank top bra or a sports bra, that will be helpful (if you need to wear a bra- I do). One of the incisions is at the bra line. I also wore yoga pants at first. They have a wide soft waist band that doesn't hurt your middle.

I bought yogurt, pudding, broth, soup, jello, cream of wheat, apple juice and different teas. You can mix applesauce or jam with the cream of wheat or yogurt for a change. If you are worried about weight loss buy Ensure or protein drinks.

It'll be over before you know it! Relax!
Starry

Alexis-

I had a hard time laying down to sleep for quite sometime after my surgeries and and am lucky I have a couch with recliner ends. I also have a very cushy recliner and slept in those for a couple weeks. Much easier to get comfy for me and made it easier to get up to walk or o to the bathroom. Also use that pillow to hold tight against your stomach when you cough or sneeze or it will hurt badly. If you do sleep in bed it is easier to roll to one side and then use your arms to push yourself up. This way you don't have to use your stomach muscles so much.

Take care,
Bill