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Questions in regards to nissen surgery

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Posted 10/30/2012 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Do they put a cathlier in you before surgery.What did they give you for pain medication after.How long was your hospital stay,i,m also having a vagotomy with the nissan surgery.do you have tubes in your stomach or nose,IS there a special diet to follow and does my doctor give it to me or.how long of a surgery is it.does anyone remember what happen when u got to hospital then to op room,you can tell i,m nervous,sorry I asked so much thank you my surgery is december 19th
Posted 10/31/2012 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi jennas,

I'll try to answer what questions I can:

Do they put a cathlier in you before surgery?

I believe that is an individual surgeon's call.  I don't believe I had one...If they put a catheter in me it was after I was knocked out, and it was removed before I woke up in recovery.  I have heard that some have had a catheter.  I believe some people have difficulty going to the bathroom after general anesthesia, and those people might be more likely to be catheterized.  Don't worry about it...It's not likely to happen, and if it does, you'll do fine.

What did they give you for pain medication after?

I was given an IV pain medication (morphine) that worked extremely well. At some point in the early morning they switched me to Loritab elixir to make sure that it controlled my pain.  They didn't want to send me home until they knew that the medication would work for me.  I tried to get a liquid pain med from my surgery, but that seems easier said than done.  I ended up going home with pain pills which I crushed and mixed with applesauce to take.

How long was your hospital stay?

I arrived early in the morning on the day of my surgery and was released late morning the next day. 

I'm also having a vagotomy with the nissan surgery.do you have tubes in your stomach or nose?

Some doctors put an NG tube (through the nose into the stomach) but many don't.  I was prepared to have one, and was pleasantly surprised when I woke up in Recovery without one.

 

IS there a special diet to follow and does my doctor give it to me?

Generally surgeons are pretty vague about post-Nissen diets. Here are two links that provide excellent guidance.  I was on a liquid diet in the hospital and went home on a soft diet.  On Day 5 or 6 my surgeon told me I could eat anything that could be chewed to a liquid (creamy) consistency.

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

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

How long of a surgery is it?

My surgeon told me it would take about 3 hours.  It took about 2 for mine.

 

does anyone remember what happen when u got to hospital then to op room?

They took me to a private room (nice!) and I got into a hospital gown.  I had a nebulizer treatment for my asthma.  They hooked me to an IV and did the usual blood pressure, etc.  I suspect they gave me something to relax me pre-surgery.  I waited with my family until they came for me. 

 

When they took me to surgery, I went to a room near the ER (still accompanied by my husband) where I met my anestheologist and saw my surgeon.  I went into the OR, (it was cold in there!) and they positioned me on a fairly uncomfortable positioner on the operating table and talked to me in a friendly way as they administered an IV that knocked me right out.  The next thing I remember I was in the Recovery room being attended to by a nurse.  I was very comfortable, but cold, so I requested another heated blanket.  Once I'd come-to completely, I went back to my room.

 

Here's my early recovery journal.  I talks a little about my experience in the hospital and the first few days post-op.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

Good luck with your surgery!  If you have any additional questions, please be sure and ask!  There are lots of forum members who've had the surgery and can give you lots of information and support.

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 10/31/2012 9:40 AM (GMT 0)
Jenna's

Are you in the uk?

The process in the uk is significantly different, if so I can elaborate.
Posted 10/31/2012 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
Know i,m in saratoga new york,
Posted 10/31/2012 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Jennas-

My experiences with 3 nissens has been similar to Denise's.

My stays were a bit longer though. 2 days for the first 2 and 8 days for the last. The last one was way more complicated and done open just 6 months after I had a torn esophagus repaired. I had an NG tube with my first,not my 2nd, and honestly I don't remember with the 3rd, but I suspect I did.
Usually if the surgery is going to last over about 30 minutes I believe they do us a catheter, but usually put it in after you are out and remove it before you are fully awake unless they suspect problems. I did have a catheter with all 3 and they removed them the next morning for the first 2, but the 3rd one they left it in for a few days because I was in ICU for 4 days. I had complications with the 3rd and had to go back into surgery again 12 hours after wards. This was due to me having a very major life saving surgery 6 months prior and had a rough recovery from it and was already one strong pain meds.

As for diet, all surgeons seem to be different in their approach, but I have been able to move to a soft diet a couple days after getting home.

My surgeries were, 1) 2.5 hours, 2) 5 hours, and 3) a little over 6 hours.

My pain control were IV pain meds with the first and a combination of pain pump and IV injected pain meds with the last 2 depending on how well the pump kept up with my pain. I usually only needed extra pain meds when I feel asleep and didn't use the pain pump as much. I would wake up in more pain and it takes a while for the pain pump to catch up.

I have been hearing of surgeons using the stomach feeding tube(in stomach through skin vs. NG tube) lately to help with bloating. Not sure how wide spread this is.

My best advice is to call your surgeons office and find out directly from them what your surgeon is planning for you. Don't ever be intimidated to ask your surgeon to explain everything. Remember he/she is working for you....they are your employee even though they get paid.

Take care.
Bill
Posted 10/31/2012 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Jennas,

My experience was exactly like Dencha described it. Difference was that I had a catheter but it was placed once I was knocked out and taken out before I awoke. I had two day stay in the hospital.

I am on week six of recovery and all is going well. I am a little scary because all is going well and I have had no complications whatsoever. Additionally, I am able to burp which I hear is a bonus. Good luck, hope all goes well for you. Remember to do some walking during your recovery...
Posted 11/1/2012 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
where the doctor cut u were they pain full
Posted 11/1/2012 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jenna,

No, the incisions are very small, and not very painful at all.  Within about 3 days most of us were off the pain meds they sent home with us (except at bedtime, when pain is more noticable).  I did cough a LOT with my lung infection, and the left rib incision area was quite painful for a week or two because of the coughing.  I used ice on it, and that worked well.  Most find that incision to be the most problematic because it's where most of the surgeon's instruments were manipulated.

Don't worry...

Denise

Posted 11/1/2012 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
I will say it can be quite painful when you fisrt wake up, but they will have plenty of pain meds for you and don't be afraid to ask for them. As long as you stay on top of the pain the first week or so all goes well.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 11/1/2012 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting, Bill...

Except for the left rib incision, I really didn't find them all that difficult to handle, and only needed the narcotic pain meds at night after about Day 3 or so.  I do think pain is very subjective, and everyone will experience it in their own way.  Jenna, don't worry...they'll give you meds to control the pain.  Be sure to have some liquid Tylenol on hand so you can take that during the day once it has subsided.

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 11/2/2012 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
I had no cath. If I did it was while I was out in surgery. I had no NG tube. I stayed for 24 hours. My doctor was strict with my diet. Liquids for 3 weeks, then soft foods for 2 more weeks, and gradually add more solid foods as the healing progress. I was told no lifting of more than 5 lbs for 6 weeks.

I went in, private room, changed into the breezy gown, and climbed into a nice warm bed with heated blankets. Nurse came in and did IV and asked a bunch of questions. Parents came in and kissed me goodbye. Rolled to the prep room, more questions, two shots in IV, and nausea patch behind my ear. Rolled into the ER. Very clean, shiny, large light overhead, and surrounded by masked people with hands in the air (just like the movies). :))
Moved over onto the table, "Scoot over honey until you feel my belly bump you". "Put your arms on the prop" Watch as you put your arm on prop start to turn to put other arm on prop...nighty-night..zzzz (I think they were distracting me as they injected the sedative ((; )
Wake up in post-op...drugged, sleepy, some pain, and very thirsty.
They won't give you any medicine or water until you're fully awake. I kept waking up saying, "Hurt, thirsty" "They'd say you've got to wake up." and I'd fall back to sleep.
They take you to your room, get you in bed (you've got to help some), and then let your visitors come in. Once your fully awake (depending on the doctor) you might get a liquid meal and some pain killers.. They gave me demerol.

Oh, I almost forgot you will have special pressure boots on your legs to prevent blood clots for your stay. You'll be encourage to get up an move as soon as possible and to pee on your on if no cath. The sooner the better.
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