Fundoplication surgery What will I be able to eat?

Hi Jim,

Welcome to Healing Well!  I'm glad that you found us, and have found the posts here informative. 

I had the surgery 3 years ago, and in case you haven't come across my recovery journal, here's the link.  https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

It might provide you with some of the information you're seeking.  Also, in the Resources section you can find this link:

http://surgery.med.umich.edu/thoracic/clinical/procedures/MushyDiet-Nissen.pdf

It provides some helpful information regarding eating.

Every surgeon seems to have their own eating protocol.  Many require liquids and soft foods for an extended period of time.  I assumed mine would be like that, so I gathered and created homemade chicken broth, squash, applesauce, etc., and bought Carnation Instant Breakfast. 

As it turns out, I used very little of what I'd gathered, because my surgeon had a much more liberal eating protocol.  I was on liquids my one day in the hospital, then came home on soft foods.

At Day 6 he turned me loose to use my own judgement and my chewing abilities to eat "whatever could be chewed to a liquid."  In that way, my mouth became my blender/food processor.  I ate small bites and chewed, chewed, chewed thoroughly until it was a smooth consistency of a full-liquid diet.

I found this very satisfying, as chewing real foods was more enjoyable to me than eating blended food.  That said, had my surgeon given me a different protocol I would have followed that.

A couple things that you may or may not have gleaned here:

Your wrap will become increasingly more swollen during the first couple weeks or so.  Expect your swallowing to get worse before it gets better. 

Stay away from iced drinks after surgery, as they can cause esophageal spasms while you're healing.  Room temp or warm beverages are better.

Be sure to ask your surgeon or PCP for anti-nausea drugs and always keep them handy (always after surgery--even post-healing) because while some of us can vomit after a Nissen, vomiting or retching can harm your wrap.

Get some liquid Tylenol to use once you're feeling better and don't need the narcotic meds any more.  Those narcotic pain meds will probably be needed at night longer, but you won't need them as long during the day.

If you have other questions, ask away!

Best wishes!

Denise

Jim

I am coming up on my one year anniversary of having the Nissen Fundoplication, April 1, 2012 will be 1 year that I regained my life and began living again. I am soon to be 63 and still working.

Please listen to what your surgeon tells you, my surgeon was the best in my area and he is an amazing doctor, but he had no clue what the actual recovery from the Nissen was. This is not to say he was not thorough. He was a great surgeon. He has not been through this and he couldn't come close to advising on anything but full liquids (cream of wheat, yogurt, pureed soups, applesauce,things like that) until the beginning of the 3rd week, then soft foods and meats.. soft past, mashed potatoes and gravy, well cooked vegetables... then add as you can tolerate. My first meats/fish were ground beef, broiled.baked fish, well cooked chicken, I found that the dark meat was best because it stays more moist than the white meat and it is easier to chew to a liquid. He did not go into detail on the gas, the 'dumping syndrome', backing up and doing soft foods for a few days if you happen to irritate your wrap, thing like that.
I will be forever grateful for this forum and the wonderful people here. Kitt, Denise,Joy and Bill along with a whole lot of other caring members from all over the world have been my saviors when it came to my frustrations, my triumphs and just plain old "I am tired of this" whining. They have all been here for me in ups and downs. We will be here for you too if you want us beside you. Please stay with us and ask questions voice your fears or your accomplishments and we will be here for you.

Always remember.... Reach for the Sunshine... Rainbows will follow...
Sandi

Can anyone tell me how long does this surgery usally take. I am one day away from getting it done. I should have asked my Doc, but you know how that is?

My surgeon said it would take 3 hours, but my husband said it actually was less than 2. It really depends on what they find when they get in there. When the hernia is huge or the stomach has moved into the chest it takes longer.