four days post nissen and freaking

Hi everyone--
I am scared out of my mind.
Had a Nissen this past Tues. I of course am home now.
I have remained on smoothies, popsicles, etc.

not having pain now-- although I did during the night- but took percoset and I am okay--

you guys--
I still feel like this little puddle of fluid in my throat. to me it seems like reflux. no acidic--
but whatever I drink-- well some of it either remains or comes back into my throat and sits there.

I am freaking out.

the doc fixed a hernia and did the Nissen and I though nothing was going to be able to get into my throat.
dear god, have I gone thru this for nothing.

any advice on how to not make the incissions scar much? My doc said not to worry about them.
they just look bad now b/c they are new and have dermabond on them.

this makes no sense! I am only on percoset now.

any advice appreciated. this is a nightmare to me. I was so excited to be healthy!

You're swollen right now. Be patient. Sometimes food will bounce back during this time of healing.
Keep your meals and fluids limited to 1/4 cups at a time, small sips, and 2 forceful swallows with chin tilted down to chest.

No need. The first months you get quirks. The first month alone is very quirky.
I had hiccups everytime I ate for the first month. Everyone is different during the healing process.

Hi sopranomeg,

Welcome to the Healing Well Wrapped Club! Don't worry for one moment.  During the early weeks it's very common for liquid to pool at the wrap site because of swelling.  Also, the esophagus is a dumb organ and it interprets all pain a reflux.  I remember during the early weeks I would burp and it would send up a combination of food and liquid to my mouth.  It was just like reflux, but no acid.  It was just whatever had been held back by the swollen wrap being propelled up the esophagus. 

You're in the very early stages of recovery...the first couple of weeks are the toughest, but things will get better once you've had a chance to heal.  Keep in mind that your wrap will become increasingly more swollen and will peak on or about 14 days.  Don't be surprised if your swallowing gets worse before it gets better. 

Here's my early recovery journal.  It might help you to see what another recovery was like. I think many or most people worry that they're having reflux post-op.  It's a very common worry. 

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

Glad you've joined us!

Take care,

Denise

Megan-

Good to hear things are getting better. You do still have a lot of healing to do though. Don't get discouraged. The outcome is SOOOOOO worth it!

Take care,
Bill

I'm worried and almost devastated as I tell myself that Denise and Bill say I am still healing.,. I keep trying to remember this.

My nissen and hernia fix was aug. 14th.

I eat everything..... all goes down fine.. no matter what it is...
That in itself makes me think my sugery did not woek or came undone.

Coffee still destroys me. Last night I had chicken quesidillas with hot sauce.... all goes down well, but I had just as much burning in my tummy and throat at night and today... that I had presurgery. Why did I bother?
my surgeon.... a very well known one told me in exact words one week after my sugery..
" You can eat all the curry you want. "

How do I know if it failed?

Why would I still have to watch what I eat if my stomach has been tightened around my esophagus?

Why can I swallow just fine and others of you have probs?

Thank u
Prayers and love please....

Megan,

You had major surgery on your stomach/upper GI tract just 3 months ago.  It is very common to still have an irritated stomach and esophagus after that.  One fully healed, you'll likely be able to eat all those things, but right now they're still irritating. 

Think about it.  Your stomach was pulled, wrapped, and stitched.  You had the surgery for a reason, too, which probably included an inflamed and irritated esophagus and stomach.  These things take time.  You are making yourself crazy by worrying about something you have no control over.

You can't make this happen any faster than it will.  Just because you can swallow and eat anything you want, doesn't mean you should.  Help your healing stomach by being respectful of it.  Keep in mind that it has been through a lot, and is likely quite devastated at the moment.  If your stomach could talk, it would yell, STOP! Baby it for a while as you heal.

Your surgeon most likely never had a Nissen surgery himself.  Therefore, he only has a theoretical idea of what the recovery is like.  Perhaps theoretically you can eat all the curry you want, but in reality, your stomach is not ready for that.

You need to listen to your stomach and when it complains, you know that you're going too fast.  Believe me, one day you'll be able to eat that curry again. 

You are still healing.  Remember it takes a full six months for most of the healing and a year for the rest.  I had improvements into my second year.  Once the initial healing occurs, a lot of the improvements come as your body adjusts to the changes.

This is no small thing.  You've had major surgery.  Just because your outsides are healed, doesn't mean your insides are.  What you're experiencing is NORMAL. 

Relax.  Surrender to your recovery and let it lead the way.  You can't stress this away, or worry it away, or rush it.  Your GI tract will heal in its own sweet time.  Everyone is different and our healing process is unique.  Take it easy on that healing stomach of yours and give it a chance to regroup!  It will heal and you will eat those yummy spices again.  Hang in there!

Take care,

Denise

 

Hi fellow wrappers...


I am in one of "waiting it out" sessions. Can anyone relate?

I am learning to eat all over again and often... like 30 mins ago, my eyes are bigger than my stomach. I again..... ate a whole tuna sandwhich... in one sitting.... which I have done all my life. Upon my last bite or so... and yes.. I also go on autopilot and eat like Speedy Gonzales as I always have as qell..
before I know it my stomach and insides yell... "ouch. You should not have eaten so much!

I have to lie down or walk and just wait it out.
Maybe I need to start writing down how I feel after ai eat... bc I keep forgetting to slow down or cut back or stay away from Texas Pete.

Can anyone relate? I have not been very good at this.

Hope you are all well and not in snow and cold as I am.
Meg

Forum Family..

I can burp.. a lot actually when I take carafate.

I guess that means wrap not good? I've read that folksca can't burp after Nissens...

Hope u r well.

Meg

Thank you Denise. Burping IS a gift.....

And so are you..

dencha said...
Hi Meg,You're jumping to conclusions. I started burping (little) burps in the hospital post op. You're very fortunate to be able to burp. Some have a wrap that is too tight to allow burping and therefore deal with painful bloating. My surgeon told me I wouldn't be able to burp or vomit, and I can do both. Yet, my wrap is solidly in place and doing its job. Burping is a gift...
Be happy,
Denise
[img]/community/emoticons/yeah.gif[/img]

im 19 days post op and i can burp SO EXCITING lol and no gerd symptoms so im assuming everything is in its place, my surgeon told me to burp tiny burps after surgery and it would help to burp bigger burps eventually. not to say that everyone will but i can and im a happy little burper :)