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Lap Nissen Fundoplication Questions

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 6/5/2012 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I had my surgery June 1. It was a very very long road for me but the main reason why I decided to do it was because I have barrets disease and I was worried it would turn into asphogical cancer.

My main questions are - besides the barrets disease I was hoping this surgery would fix my appetite issue. One of the first symptoms was loss of appetite for me. I was getting bad bad heartburn and reflux , but the constant upset stomach was the real killer here.

When am I going to be able to run around again? play softball? life heavy things again?


Also with the diet- I will watch what I eat but even in a year from now will I still only be able to eat 6-8ozes of food at a time? If this is the case and I have to eat 4-6 small meals a day that kind of sucks because I feel like my whole day will be just a mini break in between meals.


Right now I am regretting the surgery because I just feel uncomfortable and I feel like if I turn the wrong way my stomach will open up..Just a tight feeling in there.

I have no desire to eat anything. I still have an upset stomach a little bit and the thought of jello or pudding makes me nauseas.


Sorry for my all over the place post- I was thinking of new things as I was typing!

HELP!!!
Posted 6/6/2012 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi 49ersfan,

Welcome to the Healing Well yeah yeah yeah Wrapped Club! yeah yeah yeah You're at Day 5 of recovery, and at your stage of the game pretty much everyone wishes they didn't have surgery!  This recovery is challenging, but if you can surrender to it, and follow it where it takes you without struggling against it, you will have a much easier time of it.

Here's a link to my early recovery journal:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

I had the surgery 3 years ago in February, and I can assure you that after you've healed, you'll be able to eat normal meals again.  Right now your stomach is swollen and your brain is interpreting that swelling as fullness.  That's why you get filled up after the tiniest amount of food.  Keep the faith...this isn't forever.  Your upper GI tract has been through major surgery and has been dramatically revised. It will take time for the healing and for your GI tract to adjust to the changes.

Your wrap will become increasingly more swollen, so don't be surprised if your swallowing gets worse before it gets better.  The swelling generally peaks at about 14 days, and then begins to subside.

It takes a full 6 months for the majority of healing, but you'll gradually improve over that time.  It takes a full year for the rest of the healing.  I had some fine-tuning that continued into the second year.

Again, glad you've joined us!

Hang in there...it will get better.

Best wishes,

Denise turn

Posted 6/6/2012 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Dencha, 5 days is ver early in. You need patience as it will take time before you can even think of eating a normal sized meal or anything more than semi solids. Everyone recovers differently and I was still unable to eat normally until around 12 weeks, I mananged a meal of minced beef and rice at 6 weeks but this was small portion size. Even after 3 months I was having some issues with certain foods including bread. One thing I learnt was that when food got stuck a drink made it worse as it was stuck and the extra volume made issues worse.

It will get better it just takes time, good luck.
Posted 6/6/2012 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
OKay. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

How long until I can resume lifting and running?> is that about 1 year?
Posted 6/6/2012 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
My surgeon cleared me to climb stairs/walk/run as tolerated immediately after surgery. But, it took me about 3 weeks until I had the energy to try to do any kind of running (not that I really run much), or until I could get around running errands without getting tired quickly. I started riding my bike just on casual neighborhood rides around week 4 I think.

From what I've seen on here, there is a big range of what surgeons recommend for weights. You may want to ask your specific surgeon what they think. In my case, I was told to not lift anything over 10 pounds for I believe 6 weeks, then after that I was cleared to lift anything. I've seen much more strict guidelines here from other forum member's surgeons.

Tony
Posted 6/6/2012 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I was running before eating correctly at around 5 weeks, no weights for about 10 weeks. However I did burst my wrap at 11 months that is suspected as being lifting related and I would suggest you ask your consultant. There are many posts about lifting, see one started by dave234. All the best.
Posted 6/7/2012 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hey John,

So what happens after the wrap bursts? does the whole procedure need to get re-done?

How do you know when the wrap becomes undone?

To be honest that is the only thing I am afraid of right now...Is the wrap becoming undone.
Posted 6/7/2012 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
I had to be diagnosed by endoscope to determine the wrap condition and general stomach condition. Now I have to have a repeat manometry and 24h ph study and then if all is as the surgeon suspects I will go for a redo. My original was a full wrap and it would be the same again, the only issue is that the surgeon is worried about scar and damage at the original site and this is something that will be discussed when all testing is done. Please bear in mind undone can be different to burst, undone can be partial whereas burst is a complete failure that happens instantaneously.

I knew when the wrap came undone as I had a lot of pain in my chest that was very severe and I had difficulty breathing. This was accompanied by belching, reflux and I was sick. I also had difficulty taking a full breath due to the chest pain and that was what got me admitted to hospital, what I will say is that the standard hospital blood tests do not show a failure and you must push the doctors. I have to point out that these are only my experiences and they will most likely differ from person to person but I knew for definite when my wrap burst.
Posted 6/15/2012 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
I had my surgery April 5 and it was the best thing ever.  I could not be happier.  It was a long recovery initially, but I just took it slow and was off work for 8 weeks.  I feel great and have learned to eat foods that are good and that go down and digest easily.  Pasta doesn't do too good so I have replaced it with spaghetti squash and make it with alfredo sauce and BBQ teriyaki salmon.  It is great!  Anyway, I have slowly started doing low-impact exercises and don't want to push it.  Although I was scared before the surgery, I feel it was the best thing for me and I have no acid reflux.  Thanks for all of the positive comments on this site!

wink  

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