think I'm in trouble

Hang in there.  So sorry you're having so much pain.  It's a good thing you're being seen tomorrow, because what you're experiencing isn't typical.  There's some pain, and that's normal, but what you're describing is definitely atypical.

I don't think any one thing could create a problem like the one you're experiencing.  Certainly a group of irritants in succession can create problems, but it sure seems like your gastritis has gotten worse.  Remember that it's also likely that the peak swelling of the wrap can also be adding to difficulties.  Remember that your wrap is made of your stomach, so if your stomach is irritated, so is your wrap.

Wish I could offer a solution, but I think you'll have to wait for your doctor to provide direction.

Sorry you're struggling.

We're here to be your sounding board, for what it's worth!

Take care,

Denise

There you go...There aren't many more experienced Nissen "recoverers" than David, so relax.  I think he is right on...peak swelling isn't a fun time.  Let us know how your appointment goes!

Denise

Glad to hear your surgeon isn't worried.  That's what I expected, but it's always best to be seen if you have concerns.  Better safe than sorry!

I'm three and a half years post-Nissen and when I chug water I can still feel it back up at the wrap site.  The barrier goes both ways.  It's harder for acid to get up, and harder for water/drinks/food to go down.  You don't need to worry, though.  At this point your wrap is very swollen, so it's holding things back even more.

Surgeons know how to do the surgery, and they understand the medical piece, but they haven't lived the recovery.  At two weeks/peak swelling you need to listen to your body and it's probably yelling, "Send liquids or very soft/smooth foods!"  Once the swelling subsides, it's time to try other foods.  Remember what I said about taking small bites (once the swelling has gone down) and chew, chew, chew until it's a liquid/smooth creamy consistency?  Make sure you do that.  No untoasted bread or steak. 

Review these suggested items:

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

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

If whatever you're eating (small bites) doesn't chew to a liquid consistency, don't swallow.  You'll always have to chew your foods more carefully.  If your wrap is working correctly, it will always offer some resistence to foods.  As you heal over then next months, you'll gradually move toward a more and and more normal diet.  I eat absolutely everything I want, but do chew more carefully and thoroughly.  I also have no trouble with beer, but recently found out I can't drink more han a few sips of champagne or I end up with bloating.  Go figure.

Did you get permission to take extra doses of Carafate?  I have always been limited to 4 times a day.  Don't forget to separate the Carafate doses from any other meds or foods you're eating.  An hour before eating, two hours after eating, and I was told two hours before or after medications.

I can't overemphasize the fact that most of the difficulty you're experiencing at this very moment in time is related to swelling.  Hang in there...until the swelling goes take it very easy with your eating.  Some stick with liquids until swelling recedes. Listen to your body.  If it hurts to swallow at this point, don't challenge your wrap with solids of any kind.  Back off the solid foods and give it a few days and reintroduce solids after you're feeling better.

Food and drinks that are held back by the wrap can ferment and be very irritating.  I certainly wouldn't rule out the fact that they could create some irritation in your vocal chords and lungs.

It will get better...hang in there. You're at the worst point of the recovery right now.

Percocet is very hard on the stomach in my experince. (I have a very reactive/sensitive stomach)  I recommend you switch to liquid Tylenol if you can manage it.

Hang in there!

Denise

Good luck with your move!  Remember that it didn't take two weeks for your voice to be affected by reflux, and it won't take two weeks for it to heal.  Have you discussed the likely time frame with an ENT doc?  I don't want to be depressing, and I also have allergies/cough irritating my vocal chords, but my singing voice (which I don't get paid for) took 3 years to come back completely.  I'd given up hope that I'd ever not be hoarse. 

This past July the hoarseness left and I could again sing a normal range without a problem.  As I said, I think there are other things that added to the problem.  I was a second grade teacher during the time that my vocal chords were affected, stressing them when they should have been resting (I'm now retired), and my allergies/asthma/coughing created more damage.  Still, I've no doubt that my reflux pre-nissen were a problem, too.

If you don't have allergies/asthma and aren't continually irritating your healing vocal chords with coughing (which according to my alergy/asthma doc is extremely damaging to my vocal chords), you'll see improvement much more quickly. 

Hmmmmmmm...recovering from surgery for two weeks, then making a major move to a new area...I wonder why you're nervous and jittery!  Yikes!

Good luck with your move...we're here for you!

Denise

I guarantee you don't have food poisoning.  You ate way too much.  At your stage of recovery, you should be keeping your complete meal to maybe a half cup at a time.  When I was at your stage, I'd order a bowl of soup and take 2/3 of it home for two more complete meals.  You obviously don't have a stomach that tells you when you've had enough, so you're going to have to monitor that yourself.

You underwent major surgery on your stomach just 2 weeks ago.  It can't handle full-sized meals.  Eat many very small meals throughout the day.  A dinner like the one you've described is probably enough food for at least 3 days at your point of recovery.

Whoa!  Rein in that appetite and remember to take tiny bites of small meals and chew, chew, chew.

Anyone who does have food poisoning after a Nissen (and I'm confident you don't) should go to a nearby ER to have their stomach pumped.  Sounds like fun, huh?  Do you have antinausea drugs?  If so, take them now.

Just take it easy until things move through, and learn from this experience.

Small bites, small meals, chew, chew, chew.

Hang in there!

It will get better, I promise.

Denise