Anyone have a quick recovery after Nissan. My surgeon told me this....

Trying to decide about Nissan - have LPR - Gerd.  I have  aspirated in my lungs so much I have many, many "nodules" there. Says surgery is a life and death matter if I keep aspirating Surgeon put me on strict diet.  Eat every 4 hours, 4 times a day and follow gerd diet.  I lost 18 lbs in 6 weeks.  With diet, eurgo bed, no more aspiration.

Anyway, he did his residency under some top Nissan surgeons and he did all the "redo's" when some other surgeon messed the surgery up.  So I am very confident with him.  He said my recovery time will be up to 2 weeks.  He also said when it feels like something is stuck it really went down and it is just a spasm at that sight that will go away with healing.  In 12 years he has only had 1 patient that it took 6 months, but she had other issues when he got in there and she was a mess inside.

I'm reading about all this 6 -12 month recovery.  He said that is not the norm.He is even going to ask some prior patients to call me.

I cant be laid up for that long. My 93 year old mom lives with me and I would have to put her in a nursing home and I'm afraid she will pass there. 

So looking for some real stories that are successful and quick healing.

poortummy

I know you will be hearing from members who have had the surgery, however,  I think 2 weeks is misleading for any major surgery even if everything goes well.  However, the recovery period varies from patient to patient so giving you a set time frame is not possible IMHO. 

I am wondering if you have had a second opinion and if not you may want to as you have some major questions. 

I hope you will be able to make the best decision for you. 

Kindly,

Kitt

I had a quick recovery but I feel I'm not the norm. I had nissen Dec 13, 2011 and was completely back to feeling myself by one month. Eating was never a problem for me- never got anything stuck. I had pain from the surgery which lasted about 10 days. That's how long I used pain meds. My surgeon encouraged me to eat normally (chew well) and resume regular activities. Recovery was easier than I'd expected. You will definitely need help with your mom for a couple of weeks, minimum. Maybe she would qualify for a home nurse while you recover. I'm 59, by the way, so not a spring chicken!

Good luck to you!

Hi poortummy,

When people say 6 months to a year for recovery, it does not mean that it takes that long before you feel better.  It just means that you'll have improvements continue that long...that your GI tract will adjust and be fine-tuned throughout that time.  You'll be generally "back to normal" before that.  It's just that if you're still struggling with some quirky issues with your upper GI tract, you need to give it the full 6 months to a year to allow it to resolve.  I even had improvements continue into the second year. 

Sometimes surgeons underestimate the recovery, as they've never lived through it.  This forum is great because there are many who've had the surgery and know first-hand what to expect.

Best wishes!

Denise

I had mine done 3 weeks ago tomorrow. My recovery has been remarkable so far. Obviously, I still have some symptoms and issues, but I was out of the hospital after 1 night; I was walking around with minimal discomfort (including climbing stairs) within 3 days. I was getting tired more quickly than normal for the first 2 weeks or so, but now I would say I'm about 85% of my stamina prior to the surgery.

I have not done/attempted any heavy lifting, and I won't test that for at least another 2 months, but I am working at my desk job with no issues, I am able to perform tasks like shopping for groceries and laundry with no issues. Pain was minimal, and I was off pain-killers other than Tylenol after the first 3 days (other than on 2 occasions where I ate too aggressively resulting in cramps).

Clear liquid diet for the first 3 days post surgery, then liquid diet for another 3 days. Then I was on a soft-liquid diet for a few days before slowly adding in full soft-diet food (which still sometimes cause me problems).

So, without trying to jinx my good progress, I'll say that it is certainly possible to have a speedy recovery.

Good luck!

If you are talking about being bed ridden, well, I was only in bed in the hospital. I was out doing normal things within a week. Just had to rest a little more. The biggest restriction you'll have, which might be a problem for you with your mom (I don't know if you need to physically lift her), is lifting anything more than 5 or 10 pounds for 3 months or so. If your mom is not mobile, needs help getting in and out of shower, tub, bed or such then you will need help for a while.

Its good to hear some success stories. My mom walks with walker, but can't get out of tub. She can get it with my help. I spend a lot of time stripping her bed and redoing it, and lots of laundry as well as cooking for her.
Are the success stories from younger people? I am 58.

Denise, I think we may be around the same age.

Poortummy,

I am 62 and I am coming up on 1 year past Nissen. You should be prepared to have someone come in and help for at least 2 weeks for your laundry and cleaning and stripping Mom's bed. Getting Mom in and out of the tub is another subject. You will have to get direction from your surgeon, but I was not allowed to lift pull or tug on anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 6 weeks after my surgery. I had the lap Nissen. Even though you are healed well on the outside, you have had major surgery and you need time to let the inside heal also.

I am eating everything I want now and I am not taking any PPI's now. I had reflux induced asthma and after the surgery, it was gone. I am very satisfied with the results of my surgery and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Please continue to come here and ask any questions you like. Share your fears or triumphs with us. We will support you and celebrate your accomplishments.

Reach for the Sunshine... Rainbows will follow
Sandi