burping and flatulence issues 4 weeks after nissen fundoplication

Hi Bill,

I have only had a few meals in the last two months and, when I did, was only able to eat just a little bit of the different servings. I definitely think it is an issue of what to eat/not eat. I'm trying to do some research on non-gassy foods to eat. What are some of the proteins and complex carbs you ate? I believe I'm still in the as-tolerated phase and will be for some time. If I make a mistake, though, it usually takes me 2-3 days to get somewhat back to normal, which is nowhere really near normal. :(

Thanks for the feedback!

Stacy

Dear Kevin,Welcome to Healing Well! What you're experiencing sounds very normal, so don't worry. Your esophagus is a "dumb organ" and interprets all pain as hearburn. At 5 or 6 weeks you're in the infancy of your recovery, and pretty much anything can happen (as my surgeon told me). Believe me, I understand your fear. I had the exact same worry when I was at your stage of recovery (that was 3 years ago). I was almost afraid to ask if reflux feelings were normal, because I so wanted my surgery to be a success.

I'm not sure how your eating is going, but I would suggest that you slow down a bit. It's very possible that you're eating more, and not chewing your food as carefully, so be sure to be aware of that.

Also, it's possible that some of your chewed food are sitting at the wrap site, and not making it all the way through to your stomach. When this happens, it can kind of ferment and create irritation. Be sure to take sips of water after eating with additional swallows to get things through. There's likely still some swelling, and this will improve over time.

My guess that as time has gone by you've increased the variety and amount you're eating, and may not be eating as slowly and carefully as you were at the beginning.

I suggest that you start your own thread on the main page (here's the link: GERD - Heartburn) That way you can introduce yourself to everyone, and get lots of great advice and support. You can even just copy and paste what you wrote here. It's usually easier to get information when you have your own thread. Then you can ask questions as they come up, and chronicle your recovery so others can benefit from your experiences.

Again, glad you've joined us!
Take care,
Denise

Hi Kevin,

My left rib area was the last to heal as well.  My surgeon said that it was the port where they did the most manipulation of the surgical tools. 

I wouldn't even THINK about weigh-lifting for a long, long time.  Your body might hear your thoughts and rebel!  You don't want to undo what you've had done, and you need to give yourself lots of time to heal and allow your repair to strengthen before you stress it with weights.

I suspect you'll want to moderate your lifting even when you're fully healed, but I'm not sure about that.  Your surgeon is the one to ask about lifting, but at 5 weeks it's very premature. 

Actually, I forgot to tell you that in the early weeks of recovery you could actually get a little reflux slipping by the healing wrap.  Some surgeons keep their patients on PPIs to allow them to heal more comfortably.

Hang in there.  This surgery takes at least 6 months for the majority of healing to occur, and healing continues through (and in my case even past) the first year.

Best wishes,

Denise

Hey Stacy,
How did your class go? How is the gas? Mine is some better but only if I don't eat much.....

One thing to consider with the gas issue-
Most people suffering with reflux learn to double swallow to help things go down. My dr. said it is a learned behavior that you need to be aware of in order to stop the behavior. Once I was really thinking about it, I realized I did it all the time and it is a hard habit to break. If you are still doing it post-op, you are introducing a lot of air that will not be relieved through burping, another way refluxers try to get relief.

Peggy

For some reason this week I've had acid reflux. Not eatting anything different. Also my incision at the top of my stomach has been not really hurting but uncomfortable feeling. It's been like that for a long time and not really getting any better. I don't think it's slipped because I still have trouble with things getting stuck if I don't chew like I should. It's been 3 monts since my surgery. Not happy with now having acid reflux and gas...

I started taking those also and do feel much better. For some reason banannas were giving me acid reflux! I stopped eating those every day and I have been fine.  My PH level is extremly high 32 and it's suppose to be around 12 so I may still get acid from time to time.

Oh! I stopped chewing gum and that helped alot with the gas.

I went to the chiropractor last week because somehow I twisted my spine and when he jerked me I farted..... I was so embarrased! It was a small one think GOD and not the normal red-neck truck driving one but still.......

I guess it was better to fart than something else! hee hee. I really don't know how my PH is now. that is what it was before the surgery. I assume surgery can't lower your PH. I also burn quite a bit when I go to the bathroom. And it's very loose. Feel it may be related to the high acid. I am wondering where all that acid goes. The surgery keeps it from coming back up but it has to stay in your stomach and be passed out that way. Maybe that is why we all have so much gas..

I am happy I can make you laugh! Might as well laugh than cry! Yes it is better but only if I watch what I eat, don't chew any gum and take the probiotics. Doctor just told me to do those things. No real help at all. They work for about 4 or 5 hours and that is it. I guess this is something we will have to live with.... You are so fun to chat with! Do you have a Facebook account?

I just found out today that my Dr wants me to have have the Nissen surgery. After reading all these issues I am scared. Also wondering what is the point? Seems you are just exchanging one problem to another one. My acid is controlled with meds, but I have been on them for 15 years & take 80mgs a day. If I miss one day it's back. Also get bloated a lot. Seems like I will just pass gas a LOT, not be able to have drinks and eat hardley anything. The gas thing I don't think I could handle in public. I would be so embarrassed I think I would not want to leave my house. We are very active, eat out with friends a lot, just seems like it will be worse

p.s. I still can hardly burp and still cannot throw up, but understand that can take 5-10 years. I recently had an endoscopy...first one since my surgery....and the wrap is tight, but not too tight.

Hi Gunner (and girls)... I am a man (51) , and I am 4 weeks post op tomorrow. This whole thread is right on. I am going through the heavy bloating right now depending on what I eat and I just started taking gas x to help. Today was much better. As far as the surgery, I would gladly switch some extra bloating and passing gas for the GERD that I suffered from for so long. You will eventually get back to eating the lobster on the grill, but you won't pay such a heavy price with acid reflux later in the night. I have not had one PPI in 4 weeks and it has been great. I can even lay flat on bed (although i may pass gas a little more which is more of a problem for my wife then me!). I am still healing, and eating slower (chewing till liquefied) and not as much, but the 10 lb weight loss hasn't been bad. I have just started pretty much eating anything just small portions (no steak yet). Good luck Gunner.

I was more interested in the Linx surgery but he said they usually do that on younger people