burping and flatulence issues 4 weeks after nissen fundoplication

Hi Ellen,

Unfortunately, flatulance and burping are very common during the early stages of recovery, and at four weeks, you're still in the thick of it.  Be sure to avoid introducing gas into your GI tract.  Check out lists of gassy foods online, and stay away from them.  If you're in the US, try eating two or three BEANO tablets (they're chewable) when you eat anything the least bit gassy.

I assume you're not using a straw when you drink, and you're staying away from carbonated beverages. 

I know the bloating is very uncomfortable, and I understand your worry that you'll be living like this forever.  Don't panic...it's a very typical reaction at your stage of recovery. 

Keep in mind that the majority of your recovery will take six months, and the rest will take a year.  I even found improvement through the second year. 

Your esophagus interprets all pain as heartburn.  Your upper GI tract has undergone a major revision, and you're still doing a lot of healing. 

I know it's hard, but try to go with the flow.  Your recovery is going to take its own path, and you're going to have to go along for the ride.  Hang in there!  Things will improve.  It just takes time.

Happy Healing!

Denise

Hi Ellen,

Any time!  Believe me, I remember well what it was like at your stage of recovery.  Hang in there!

Denise

Hello! I still have to chew my food really well. I swallowed a big pill the other day and it got stuck but slowly passed. I don't get choked but I can feel it stick in my chest. Very uncomfortable. Yes, I still have gas, bad gas. I don't understand why either. I do not drink any soft drinks, all decaf. coffee, nothing from a straw, no gassy foods. I take Beano and GasX also and it helps. It is hard to work because, as you know, they are not the quiet, girly ones.
Sorry I am no help. Hope you are feeling better!

Hi! It is awful! I am a very modest person and would be mortified if I passed gas around anyone! You just have to hold it and pray for a noisy area or a private one! ha,ha. I would double up on those GasX or Pepto ( that helps some) for your training class. Good Luck and please let me know how it goes!

You made me laugh also! I can burp and am glad I can because it helps when something gets stuck. I can not throw up at all. For some reason I had two occasions where a smell made me really sick. I could not throw up at all. It took about an hour and a lot of heaving before I was better. I don't burp loud either just small quiet ones. The loud gas makes up for that! ha,ha. I have tried eating most foods other than steak. I still chew really well. I am scared steak might get caught since that can't be chewed well. But at your stage I ate a lot of toasted cheese sandwiches. Toast is better than soft bread. Soft bread swells with liquids and toast breaks down. I also could eat a small $1.00 cheese burger from McDonalds. That was the only place I could eat one from because they didn't have gristle. I also ate mashed potatoes and other soft foods. I didn't try other things until I went for my 6 week check up. I just didn't want to go through this slipping and having to do it all over again. I think it is worth it and hopefully the gas will stop. Keep in touch and let me know if it gets better!

Yes, Please let me know if it works! We do need to pray it does! ha,ha Wish we could find a natural cure for this and make millions! We could be the No More Gas Girls! I hope you are a girl if not sorry we could be the No More Gas Techs! ha, ha. ( you said your name was Stacy but I know both men and women with that name)

Hey Ellen,

I bought a probiotic yesterday at the drugstore that said it is specific to gas and when I looked at the package, it says it is for breaking down gas due to carbohydrates. I know beano, which I am taking, is specific to vegetable enzymes. I also bought a probiotic for lactose, called lactaid. I am taking all 3. I have some mild rumbling today, but very little gas. Praying this is what I need to help me along as I recover. Wanted to share with you. I went to 2 nutrition stores to find the Gas Stop and apparently most aren't even selling it anymore....said people didn't buy it. I went to a party y'day....first time I've socialized since before my surgery. I live outside of Atlanta so it was to watch the Falcons play like sh!+.....what an embarrassment! Anyhow, I had a couple of glasses of wine and 3 chicken wings. Was in heaven. Baby steps, but I know I am getting there! Hope you are doing well!

Stacy

Well, I guess I'm a new member to the wrap club. Had my surgery Jan 3rd at USC Medical center in Los Angeles. I live in Las Vegas so that was the closest place for experienced and reliable physicians. But I have to say, it's tough being so far away from medical help. I wasn't told how important taking your pain meds was. Luckily I was assigned a health nurse from my insurance company. The scariest experience was Sunday night when I bolted up in bed from regurgitation. I didn't think that would happen anymore. It happened 7 times that one night. Any trying to swallow even warm tea hurts so much I'm almost dehydrated. Sorry folks, what a pity party I'm having... Thanks so much for being there, I swear if I had had more information about what this would entail, I think I would have reconsiders. Well, can't unring that bell!

Stacey,

I'm glad to hear you are doing better, and that you had a chance to socialize and test out your healing wrap! Good job!

Glad to hear that the enzymes are helping!  Fingers crossed that you're on to something.

Thanks, Cindy, for the great advice and guidance!

(((Hugs))),

Denise

I still do have some gas, but not as bad. And when, I do, it's loud....holy, moley! I do think the stuff helps. It's called Schiff's Digestive Advantage. As a matter of fact, I think I forgot to take it the last 2 days. Just took one. Again, I am eating more kinds of foods, but I still cannot eat for than a few bites of solids and I am stuffed. I just hit 5 weeks. Please tell me after 9 you are eating more! Hang in there! I go to Dallas for 2 weeks, leaving Sunday, for a class, and hope I can manage my gas attacks!

Hello Tiflady,

Definitely let us know if your products are working. I seem to have good days and bad days so am having a hard time figuring out what works and what doesn't. And, I seem to forget to take my probiotic at times. I am also finding I get constipated easily, but assume that is because I can't eat a ton of solid food. My doctor suggested colaise, but when I take one of those, not only do I get cleaned out, the gas attacks/cramps get much worse.

The whole eating thing seems like it will be a slow process to get back to normal. I am a little over 5 weeks since my surgery and eating much food is still a big struggle.

I can tell you the pain of my incisions and my energy level has increased tremendously in the last week....so I know there's more good coming. Just look forward to getting to a stable, non-gassy diet. When I'm in Dallas, I'll just stick to chicken soup or something like that. If I have to eat it every day, I will. Do not want to be walking around sounding like someone stepped on a duck every few minutes.

Hi Ellen,

I wanted to check in with you. I am almost 8 weeks and my gas has become a lot worse. I suppose it is due to the fact that I'm trying to eat more things. I'm at a loss. The gas is causing me so much pain, too, in my entire abdomen. I'm starting to fear something is just wrong inside of me. I know for a fact I had high reflux and I constantly regurgitated food. But, I also had/have IBS issues, as well. Since the surgery, my IBS seems to be going crazy. I'm either constipated for days or I eat something that makes me go the other way. I'm in the process of trying to reschedule a follow up with my GI. When I get the extreme gas and bloat, my tongue burns too and I get VERY thirsty, though I drink water all day. I know you're around 12 weeks now so I'm hoping you will tell me you're getting better. I have a constant pain, like someone is stabbing me where the wrap was done and my stomach feels like a volcano that is on the verge of erupting. I have been under a lot of stress with work, which I know causes me issues with my IBS, but I cannot make my job less stressful. So, I'm not sure what in the heck I should do. I am in pain, I'm scared, and discouraged. Any advice?

Hope you are feeling better!