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Posted 7/28/2012 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
 Hi,could anyone who has had nissen fundoplication please give me some advice.What was eating food like at 5 months after surgery ie. was foods getting stuck or slow to go down.Im still having trouble with soft foods,just ate some scrambled egg there and its getting stuck causing mild pain and hiccups,it goes in eventually.I get the same with cereals and yogurt.Also getting nausea with this,infact ive had nausea since my op.Not getting much info from my surgeon,he,s not the talkative type. Thanks.Barry
Posted 7/28/2012 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
I am 7 months post op. I was having similar symptoms as you describe since my surgery but at 7 months things improved significantly. I am able to eat anything I want except bread, salad and steak. I still have to stay away from caffein and chocolate. Hope things improve for you soon. Be patient.
Posted 7/28/2012 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thankyou timespace,that gives me a bit of hope,this op has run me through the mill,ive had nothing but problems from i had it done.Did you feel any reflux during your recovery,i feel im refluxing aswell,my surgeon says thats very doubtful. Thanks Barry
Posted 7/29/2012 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Barry,

If your food is that slow to go through the wrap, I'm confident that your "reflux" is irritation caused by whatever is held up at the wrap site.  It sounds as if your wrap is a bit too tight. 

You said your surgeon isn't "talkative"...what is his opinion of your situation?  Does he think swelling is still involved?  Is it possible that the wrap is a bit too tight and needs dilation?

At 5 months there were certainly times when I'd eat something that wasn't chewed completely and it would get stuck and create discomfort.  Actually even now water can back up when I drink it fast.  Still, I wouldn't say that at 5 months it was a problem I was concerned about.  It was an occasional problem, not an every meal occurance.

If you're taking small bites and chewing everything extremely thoroughly, it isn't right that you should be having so much trouble.  That said, everyone's recovery is unique, and you still could find improvement.  The recovery takes a full 6 months for most of the healing, but you'll find continued improvement even after that.

Be sure to let us know how things are going.

Sorry you're struggling.

Denise

Posted 7/29/2012 9:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Denise, ive had a dilation already and it hasnt helped.Surgeon says when i done a fluoroscopy the liquid went through ok just a little bit of hold up.Then he done an endoscopy and said there was no resistance with the scope so the wrap wasnt too tight,he done a dilation but i never felt it,he kept asking me is that painful or uncomfortable, i never felt a thing.Cant help worring that somethings not right.Dont feel well at all.My last meeting with the surgeon didnt go to well,i get the feeling he doesnt want to know.Barry
Posted 7/29/2012 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
I remember - after the first Nissen - having "sticky" foods get stuck pretty often at first, and then tapering off to only occasionally after a few months. In the first 6 months, or so, it would be so bad that I had to go to the bathroom and wretch up whatever was stuck. But, after that, it became just a matter of waiting 15-30 seconds, and then the food would pass on its own.

I never had dilation, so I can't speak to that.

Not a very helpful comment, but maybe a warning to others -- make sure you have trust in the communication skills of your surgeon. I actually fired my presumptive second surgeon (after months of tests with him) because I began to doubt whether he would answer questions or return phone calls post-surgery.
Posted 7/29/2012 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Barry,

I know you're in the UK, but is it possible to get a second opinion?  Did you have a manometry before your surgery?  Could it be that you're having swallowing issues--I mean the type caused by esophogeal swallowing issues, not Nissen swallowing issues. It is true that the esophagus at the bottom tend to "spaz" out in reaction to the barrier that has been created, but usually not enough to interfere with getting food through once healing has progressed. 

I assume you're chewing extremely carefully...I wish I could offer more help!  What does your GI doc say?  If you haven't been back, that might be a good next step.  Don't give up...persever.  There is an answer. 

Denise

Multi,

From what I've learned over the years, redo fundoplications swell more and take longer to heal. I expect that's why you've been given a more stringent diet.  Smart move to fire your potential surgeon.  I fired a GI doc for the same reason.

Happy healing!

Denise

Posted 7/29/2012 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Multifundo,my heart goes out to you going through yet another nissen,this is one of the hardest things ive ever went through and ive had numerous motorcycle and car accidents aswell as a heart condition in my past.This op just seems so hard to get done right.You would think with all the technical nowhow these days they could fix this illness.Anyway hope all goes well and you make a speedy recovery! Barry.

Hi Denise, ive been doing a bit of research into another surgeon in the south of Ireland who seems to be highly regarded.If i get no satisfactory answers from my surgeon im going to ditch him.my only problem is it will not be on the NHs and il have to pay privetely and i dont work because of my heart condition.Il have to come up with something. Thanks Denise,your an Angel! Barry
Posted 7/30/2012 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much Barry -- my heart goes out to you too. I know the worry accompanying bumps in the recovery process can be very stressful. And, as my situation obviously highlights, they don't always heal correctly.

I think you are correct in your analysis of my recovery diet. On the second one, the surgeon had me drinking the morning after surgery. This time, I wasn't put on clear liquids until almost 48 hours later. For those curious - I found out that this time he also performed a gastopexy -- what he called a "belt and suspenders" approach.
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