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Weight loss after Nissen fundoplication?

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Posted 8/10/2011 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
I would like to know how much weight you lost after surgery.  I am preparing for surgery and feel very afraid of possible side effects though reading through the posts on this site have been very comforting.  I know I won't feel alone.  I haven't heard much about weight loss.  I have Barrett's esophogus and severe reflux due to hiatal hernia.  My GI has strongly admised me that I must have the surgery.  I do trust him completely, but am very sick about the news.  I am hoping to feel better and slow the progression of my Barrett's.  Weight loss will also help.  I am in the medical profession and being a patient does not come easy for me.  I prefer to take care of patients.  Anyway, any stories about the benefits of the surgery would be appreciated. 
Posted 8/10/2011 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Jen,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell and please know you will hear from many of our members who have had good outcomes from their surgeries.  I have not had the surgery as so far I have been able to control my GERD with medication and diet but if I ever get to the point of needing surgery I will  choose that route after learning all I can re the procedure.

I am in the same boat as you as I am a medical professional also. We often know to much and yet we have an edge in knowing we have rights and the most important right is to make an informed decision.

Again welcome to our awesome sight and put your filter on when you are reading.  Be clear on what information you want, and quickly analyze each piece of information to decide if it’s going to help fulfill your immediate needs.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 8/10/2011 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
I lost 20 lbs, but it came back with a vengance for me.
Posted 8/11/2011 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Jen
I am at 4+ months post op and so far I have lost about 35 pounds. hasn't hurt me at all.. I Hope that I can continue to eat right now that I have lost it all..
Good luck and keep us informed of your decisions.. ask all the questions you like.. we will all try to help as much as we can..
Sandi
Posted 8/11/2011 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jen

At 6 weeks post op I've lost 22lbs.
During the first 4 weeks I lost about 17lbs & that seemed to stabilized a bit but I have just returned to work this week & have lost another 5lbs because I'm more active now.

Best wishes

Lynda
Posted 8/11/2011 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
At 4 weeks post op I've lost 17lbs, and I am so happy. I do not take nexium and high blood pressure medications, of course my diet now is so different I eat less which is great I can not eat dairy or food that makes me gassy. My main isssue was pain in my left shoulder due to the diaphram manipulation. But I love it so far I want to loose more weight. But you go for the surgery is better than the barret's problem good luck.
Posted 8/11/2011 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much.  I am so scared, but would rather be well informed before I go into surgery.  i deal with it better that way.  i see the surgeon on Aug 18.  Thanks to this support group I feel like a have a great resource to turn to now and after surgery.  jenny
Posted 8/12/2011 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Jen
Please feel that you can come here and cry shout scream laugh or just come say HI and ask questions.. we will accept you however you are and welcome you back when you feel better or feel worse... we will always try to answer your questions and what one of us can't another will be able to.. join our family Please...
Sandi
Posted 8/13/2011 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much sandi. had prelim test yesterday. torture test aka esophogeal manometry test. not fun but now i know what ng tube feels like. sounds luke i will have ng tube after surg. nurse who admin. the test said my esoph sphincter (LES) is very narrow presumably from hiatel hernia but esoph motility or function was good. this test is supposed to tell surgeon if partial or full wrap is indicated. anyway i wish there was some other solution. but i know there is not at this point. i burp nonstop all day and sleep sitting up to avoid terrible chest pain. i eat 4 oz at a time even that gets stuck going down. i've totally lost my taste for coffee my only vice. i was advised i have to give that up also. feeling down today. cant help feeling like my life will never b the same after surg. i know that we all GET something and i guess this is my something - and much better than stom cancer. i know i am grateful for that.
Posted 8/14/2011 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Oh Jen
Please don't feel as though this is a ditch you are falling into.. this will be a life changing experience for you but, the changes you will have to make are minor compared to the benefits you will reap.. you won't have to sleep sitting up anymore and your chest won't hurt anymore.. can yo picture that?? You will have to watch your diet for a while.. you will have to eat small portions, you shouldn't have anymore pain after the surgical pain is gone.. you may have some uncomfortable times but.. I lived with nausea and pain and acid and throwing up out of a dead sleep.. I do not have that anymore nor do I have the asthma I had learned to deal with for the last 13 years, it was reflux induced.. I also had a very large hiatal hernia.. this was a great source of pain and fear for me.. it kept letting my insides slide into my chest.... no more... I am so happy now......
This is a benefit not a punishment... I hope that you will come to us for comfort and support and if you would like you can yell or cry or just be mad that you have to deal with what you are... we have been there in some form or fashion and we will be here for you....
Come talk to us again.. we will be here for you...
Reach for the sunshine... the rainbow will follow..
Sandi
Posted 8/14/2011 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jen,

Life will definitely not be the same after your surgery...it will be BETTER! I lost 20 pounds during recovery, but I'd lost that many times before, when my gastritis and reflux burned my esophagus that didn't heal for months. The recovery from this surgery is far, far easier than those horrible experiences. One of those even put me in the hospital for a week as the reflux also affected my asthma.

I just re-posted my early recovery thread on this site (circa February 2009 turn) for another new member, and perhaps it will be helpful here too. Here's the link:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

Hope you find the information useful. I also feared the worst, and thought my life would negatively affected, but quite the contrary. I am very glad I had the surgery, and would have it again without hesitation if I needed a redo.

Good luck with your surgery, and try to relax. If you can surrender to the recovery, and follow it where it leads you, you will do just fine. Those who struggle against it have the most difficulty. Just relax and let it happen.

You're fortunate to be in the medical profession, because it will ensure that you can find the very best surgeon. That's a critical piece of the recovery puzzle.

Best wishes,
Denise
Posted 8/14/2011 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
tongue  Denise,

 

I can't thank you enough for sharing your recovery link with me.  I am going to read it again before I go into surgery.  I feel soooo much better and hopeful.  I know I can do this now.  I am feeling strong.  So encouraged that you were walking on your treadmill so quickly.  I am a walker also.  Weather permitting I prefer to walk outside, but here in Michigan we only get about 7 good months of outdoor walking.  I have an excellent treadmill that I use often, even trained for a 1/2 marathon on it once upon a time.  I walked in the Komen 3d 60 mile walk here in michigan last summer.  I will try to focus on those positive things you shared, being able to sleep at night, saying goodbye to gastritis/esophagitis and chest pain.  and a weight loss of 20 lbs. - woo hoo!!!!!

Posted 7/8/2012 6:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Guys,
I am finally having my long awaited Nissens Fundoplication on July 17th. I hope I do not regret it. I, too, and worried about weight loss, meaning I WANT to lose weight. I have put on about 20 pounds in the last few months. I am swelling in the abdomen and ankles and everywhere. My docs don't seemed concerned with this, but they do not know me. I literally feel like a balloon. I am a normally slender person and I am feeling very overweight now (not just my opinion -- many others are noticing). I think it has something to do with the Omeprazole 40mg twice daily. I have done some research and it seems to cause swelling and weight gain in some patients. I cannot wait to be off of these meds.

Anyway, how much weight did you guys lose and have you heard of others that started out heavier that maybe lost more? I am hoping to regain my old shape. I have literally gone up 3 pant sizes this year. And, I am not eating more than normal. HELP!

Thanks for any info!
PJess
Posted 7/8/2012 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi press

I had fundoplication 10 mos ago. I am feeling very well now though the first few mos were difficult ...but tolerable. I lost 15 lbs lbs in the first month after the surgery. I am now down 25 lbs thru diet and walking. I needed to lose the weight and I feel better for it. I am working on losing 20 more.
Posted 7/8/2012 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi PJess,

I had lost 15 lbs before my surgery,cause i was so sick with hiatal hernia, and i'm 11 days post op & i've lost 10 more..I feel better than I have in a loooong time :)
Good Luck & let us know how your surgery goes!
Sheila
Posted 7/9/2012 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sheila and Jen!
I hope to drop a lot in the beginning just so I can feel like me again. I am hoping that once i can breathe better, i can actually start exercising or at least walking again.

will post after my day!
pJess
Posted 7/9/2012 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
I lost about 15 pounds the first month. Then about 10 more the second month. 17 months later I have kept about 20 of it off. Need to get serious about another 8-10 pounds. I have had issues with hypoglycemia due to dumping syndrome. Still trying to find the that perfect balance between what I eat, how much I eat and the timing of meals. It's a bit of a hassle, but I would have this surgery again in a heartbeat!

Peggy
Posted 7/22/2012 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! I just had the Lap Nissen on thursday, before surgery I lost about 12 lbs and the Doc told me I'd lose another 20 er so lbs before all is said and done. I'm welcoming the wieght loss I need to lose to get in the proper BMI range. Who knows I might be able to do a 5 mile walk by June next year thats my goal anyway. I'm taking the healing process slow day by day not pushing myself taking sips of liquids from a spoon as I"m an inhaler of food I'm learning how to eat all over again! So if I shed 20+ lbs from this its okay with me! I wish you luck in your Nissen venture and keep us posted.
Posted 7/22/2012 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Girls,
I posted earlier. I had my NF surgery on Tuesday, ended up with a partial wrap vs. full, due to complications. Anyway, I was so worried about weight gain. I weigh myself every morning. Bad habit, I know, but can't seem to break it. The day I got home from hospital, I was so upset because I had gained a few lbs. I know they were pumping me with fluids via IV as hospital, but I was starving and only drinking clear fluids, so this was heartbreaking. Anyway, I am now on Day 5 and have lost four lbs. I do hope to continue with weight loss as I would like to get to be more like the "old" me, but I know this is a slow process, and also, each week, I am able to add more back to my diet, and some of it does not seem to be the healthiest of foods....I would love to be able to eat a salad! Does anyone know when we can add this kind of food/ or raw veggies back into diet? My doc says I may NEVER be able to eat bread, donuts, steak or potatoes again. Is this true???? Just wondering....But, I will accept any weight loss along the weigh. I use this as a way to kickstart a new healthier lifestyle. Also, my doc says I may only lose five pounds throughout the process. I think he must not follow up with his patients too much.
Thanks again,
PJess
Posted 7/23/2012 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
I am now 5 months post surgery and am really thrilled with the outcome. I almost cancelled my surgery several times after reading horror stories on the internet, BEFORE finding this forum. I had never been so afraid of surgery before including the very painful spinal fusion surgery that I had 6 years ago.

I must have been on PPIs for maybe 25 years and had been on at least six different kinds of meds which were no longer effective. I am now on NO meds for reflux!!! I can , with minor restrictions, eat almost anything that I want to, including the guacamole ( with raw onions) that I had last week!

I had not been able to drink alcohol for many years. Last month we went on a 2 week Med cruise and I enjoyed both eating and drinking! I was not previously overweight and I had been concerned that I would lose too much weight, but fortunately I only lost about 6 pounds.

Best of luck to you!! It was one of my best decisions to have this surgery!
Posted 7/23/2012 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
I'm exactly two weeks post nissan fundication lost 15 pounds before surgery and three more pounds post. Its a slow go. I'm not back to work yet. I feel good but my surgeon does not see me till the 30th. Sometimes I feel so good I try to eat something more and it got stuck..best advice don't push it. I can eat eggs and fruit Smoothies.mashed potatoes and food processed pureed chiken. It wasn't had but it did not agree. Biggest problem? ? Sneezing and constipation which seemed odd as I took no pain meds. But then again no fiber in diet yet..so that's tough.good luck to all who went through this.this site has helped me a great deal. I walk twice a day and try not to overdue it even though you might feel good. I have had some crazy tired days! I'm blessed my work is covered and i could take the time I needed. I'm ready to go back just trying to rest before my chaotic life starts up again
Posted 7/25/2012 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
I'm having the Nissen Fundoplication surgery Aug 22. I'm ready for relief... My acid reflux is so severe.
Posted 7/25/2012 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Razorbackash1982,

Welcome to HealingWell and do let us know how your procedure goes for you.  Feel comfortable starting a thread of your own so everyone has the opportunity to meet and greet you as well as support you post-op.

I wish you the best as you head into surgery.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 8/13/2012 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
I am new to this site, but have been reading a lot about this surgery. I had surgery on 9 Jul 2012 to repair a sever Hiatal Hernia and sever reflux and spent 4 day s in the hopital because of the pain not being under control. But now a month later I am still having some pain but dealing with it. I have lost about 40 lbs in the last month. I am still eatting mainly liquid and some soft foods. I have trying to eat soilid foods but have had issues with them getting stuck. But I have high hopes this will pass with time. Best wishes on your surgery and for a speedy recovery.

 

Posted 8/13/2012 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I'm also new to site had my op 25 th July and got to say feel fantastic lost around 22 pound I had gallbladder n gallstones taken out at same time as Nissan fund n hiatus repair n feel great . I am ok eating longs as keep it small just hoping it stays this way so I can carry on losing weight n feeling good as do feel I put weight on due to reflux n acid ect ... Would recommend this surgery to anybody just fantastic
Sue
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