ESPHOYX SURGERY

I must be missing part of your post. Exactly which surgery are you having? I am 2 1/2 weeks post op for paraesophageal hernia repair. Nissan Fundoplication.

I had the Nissen Fundoplication, although I never even asked before surgery. Because my stomach was already strangulating there were no choices.

I'm not sure what the difference is in the 2 surgeries. But, the stress and echo are fairly normal to have before major surgery.

I am at 18 days post op and today I went into my office for a few hours to work. My surgery was open not laparoscopically and I still sore. But, getting out and going to work for a bit helps the mind and the body.

Please keep me posted on your surgery. Stay positive (hard I know) and try to go with the flow.

I think surgeons have their own preference as whether to do open or lap. My dr, because of the position and twisting of the stomach against the heart, wouldn't consider doing it lap. I was disappointed but ultimately we have to put faith in who we are hiring.

What other surgeries have you had? Were they open?

I can tell you that the 4 days in the hospital were grueling, and the first week in general was no fun. I'm 56 and in decent health but the first week made me a weak miserable mess. Week 2 was better and today at day 18, I drove myself to work.

There is a lot of good advice in this forum. My advice is take your pain meds, force yourself to walk, take a laxative early on after surgery if things are not moving, be prepared for weird gas pain - which will go away the more you walk, and try to just go with the flow.

When I would lay down my heart would beat really hard. After eating, even small meals, it felt like my heart was pounding. I kept telling my drs that it felt like I had a tumor on my heart. Over the past 6 months if I went and had a big meal, within 2 hours I would have excruciating chest and left shoulder pain. It would sometimes last for hours. Drs kept looking for heart problems... Turned out that the "tumor" was my stomach.

I also began having shortness or breath, which again, was stomach pressing on left lung.

I was really scared (and angry) about the surgery. Then I became depressed afterwards. It's a vulnerable feeling and I'm a bit of a control freak.

My effects over the last 2 weeks have been very common complaints that you'll find in this forum. But, it is great not to feel like I have an alien inside my chest.

My GI dr also said same thing. And the pressure on the vagus nerve causes all sorts of symptoms. Good luck with your surgery!

thanks for all you help I am still a little nervous about surgery I think more about tearing the fasteners than the diet. Did you notice that you lost any weight from this surgery? I been told you can because of the diet that would be a plus I guess.