Hi Megan,I recommend that you only post in one place. Either post your question/experience on your regular thread OR start a new thread and maintain that one, but when you pop up new threads it creates clogged up main page and makes it difficult for members to follow your recovery experience and provide support and information.
Here's my response from your main thread:
Meg,
You had major surgery a little over two weeks ago. Your upper GI tract was dramatically revised. You are at the time when peak swelling occurs. You ate a complete and large meal yesterday and created pain and irritation. These things are enough to create a temporary setback. You're on the road to healing, but you will have ups and downs along the way.
Think of it as a journey. You'll hit traffic jams, and you'll travel in fits and starts at times...at other times, it's smooth sailing. This is the same for your recovery. You can't rush this or worry it away. It is as it is. Face it. This is a recovery that takes a lot of time and patience. It's natural to worry that it hasn't worked. I don't think many have a Nissen and don't have that fear. I know I did. When I had reflux symptoms I was very frightened that I'd gone through the surgery for nothing. And yet, with time and healing the surgery has done everything I'd hoped.
Right now your wrap is very swollen and it's most likely that the irritation that you're experiencing is due to food/drink being held up at the wrap site. When I asked my surgeon about "reflux symptoms" I was having at about your point in recovery he said that where I was in healing "anything was possible"...could it be reflux? Yes. The wrap is misshapen and swollen, making it more likely to allow some acid through. Could it be surgical pain? Yes. The esophagus is a "dumb organ" and interprets all pain as reflux.
My money is on food/liquid left in the esophagus to migrate up the esophagus when you're lying down. I even got reflux of that residual food and liquid into my mouth when air burped out of my stomach. It flew up the esophagus right into my mouth. I'm quite certain that if you did a barium swallow right now you'd find that liquid/chewed food is pooling at the wrap site and only gradually entering your stomach.
I was so worried about my surgery being a failure that I didn't even want to mention my reflux symptoms for fear I'd find out it was not normal. I've been helping out on this forum for three and a half years, and believe me, at the two week+ mark what you're experiencing is very normal.
Remember...no lifting! NONE! Small meals (VERY)! Try to stop worrying and just surrender to your recovery. Listen to it and follow it where it takes you. You can't rush this, and if you can just accept that it will take time and patience, the whole experience will be easier.
Give your poor stomach a break, back off on what you're eating, eat very small meals all day long.
Stop worrying. You've had major surgery. This is a long recovery...remember it takes 6 months for the majority of healing, barring some type of setback like vomiting, etc. in which case it's even longer. It takes a full year for ALL the healing, and I experienced some even into the second year.
Hang in there. Good luck with your move!
Very best wishes,
Denise