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Worried about reflux symptoms 6 days post op...

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Posted 8/26/2012 9:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, so my name is Jordan I'm a 19 year old female who just had a nissen (loose/partial wrap) Monday 8/20/12. It's now 5 am and I have been up almost all night with a combination of reflux-like symptoms and obviously some pain. (tried to stop taking my pain meds, obviously wasn't ready) obviously I have yet to speak with my doctor, but he did not warn that this was a possibility, although now I have read a bit about people on here being told food is held up at the wrap, which might make since considering I did have something somewhat garlicy for dinner... Still I am of course concerned the operation might have failed. Can anyone set my mind at ease at all? Has anyone experienced this?
Posted 8/26/2012 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jordan,

First thing: don't panic yet. The esophagus is a pretty funny organ in that the only way it knows to tell you it is injured is to make you feel reflux symptoms. What you are likely feeling is just irritation, and not actual reflux.

That leads me to the second point though... Garlic five days after surgery? There are two major diets following fundoplications: Pittsburgh & UCLA. (I call Pittsburgh the "fast" diet and UCLA the "slow" diet. Both can be easily found online.) Neither one of them gives you access to actual chewable food at day 5. Under Pittsburgh, you should be on full liquid right now, and on UCLA, you would still be on clear liquid.

A more subtle point -- it doesn't sound like you had a Nissen. A Nissen is a 360-degree (tight) wrap. A Toupet Fundoplication is a 270-degree loose wrap.

Either way, it sounds like your surgeon did not give you adequate instructions following surgery. Those of us on the boards who have been through this (some of us multiple times) can try to help, though. :) Another thing to note is that swelling is going to peak around day 12-14, which means the reflux-like symptoms will probably get worse leading up to the two-week mark. Then, everything should suddenly get better. Your general pain is going to last months, though it should get tolerable by the end of about day 10. Try to wean yourself off of narcotics and onto children's tylenol.

-David
Posted 8/26/2012 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jordan,

Welcome to the Healing Well yeah yeah yeah Wrapped Club! yeah yeah yeah !  David has given you excellent advice and information.  Be sure to heed his wise words.  At your point in recovery it's totally normal to have pain and discomfort at the wrap site.  While the little slits on the outside don't look like much, your insides have undergone MAJOR SURGERY.  It will take a full 6 months for most of the healing, and a year for the rest.

David mentioned some places to get information about what you should be eating.  Here are some links to find great information:

http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/nutrition/Pages/diet-after-nissen-fundoplication-surgery.aspx

http://www.nissenfundoplication.com/nissen-fundoplication-diet

Hang in there.  Things get better gradually.  It takes time for healing, but as time passes you'll feel better.  As he said, though, your wrap is becoming increasingly more swollen over the first two weeks, so don't panic if your pain and difficulty swallowing increases.

Glad you've joined us!

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 8/26/2012 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi people, thanks for the advice I did have what they're calling a nissen my surgeon just did a 300 degree wrap instead of the full wrap. Also, he did give me eating instructions... I just for some reason didn't realize I wasn't fully following them. Although the diet does allow me to eat food that is not just liquids.... I'm not so worried anymore... And im definitely not worried about my surgeon he's chief of surgery an one of the best haha

Post Edited (monstermermaid) : 8/26/2012 10:19:27 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/26/2012 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jordan,

My surgeon set me free to eat "anything that could be chewed to a liquid/creamy consistency" at Day 6.  I did just fine.  If whatever I tried didn't do that, I deposited it in a handy paper napkin.  Take very small bites, and chew, chew, chew.  No bread that isn't toasted and no steak.  If you're craving meats try a slow cooker and cook until very soft.

Lucky you!

Hang in there!

Denise

Posted 8/26/2012 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Denise! My surgeon has a specific plan where I can't eat certain things (nothing out of a straw, no chocolate, no bread, etc. for 3-4 weeks) but other than the first day I have not been on a liquid diet...yesterday I guess I just pushed it a little too much.
Posted 8/27/2012 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jordan,

At your stage of the game, I had times when swallowing was very painful.  Remember to expect more difficulty as your wrap becomes more and more swollen over the first two weeks post-op. 

Remember that it's highly unlikely that your surgeon has ever gone through this recovery.  It's my experience here on the forum to find surgeons are pretty cavalier about the recovery and underestimate the difficulties. 

It's not an easy recovery, but if you surrender to it and follow where it leads, you'll do just fine. Take it a day at a time...before you know it, you will be much more comfortable. It just takes time and patience.

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 8/28/2012 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
I think you started on things other than liquid and pureed soups way too soon. The first week I had nothing but liquid. 2-3 weeks I could puree soup like corn chowder and things. I remember once right after the surgery I accidently ate a few bites of applesauce and the PAIN!!! Whew it was agonizing! It's frustrating being hungry for real food for awhile but there's not a lot you can do about it. It'll be worth it, just keep telling yourself that!
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