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Diet questions wrapped group?

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Posted 2/3/2013 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
I had the Nissen Fundo a little over a year ago.  I would do it all over again because it has helped with my reflux, and a recent upper GI showed it has actually helped with the healing of my Barrett's.  I do remain with gastritis and terrible gas however.  The gastritis is because I've been eating more of the acidic foods I was unable to tolerate before, so I guess I need to continue the GERD diet regardless.

I had Barrett's at the very bottom of my esophagus, so I am sort of concerned that some of it may be tucked in the wrap and not healed.  My GI doctor said I do not need upper GI's in the future unless I have issues.  Little concerned that he does not want to follow up at least every couple years. 

My question is, has anyone that is wrapped found a good diet to follow to limit gas and bloat?  I love salads, fruits and veggies, but they tend to be the worst for gas.  I do not use straws, and I do not drink carbonated beverages, but I still end up with terrible gas due to the inability to burp.

I have been able to burp a handfull of times since the surgery, and boy did I feel good after.  I cannot place what exactly helped me burp those times, I guess it's just a fluke once in a while that I am able to burp.  Other than that, we all know how it exits eyes '

I try to take enzymes prior to eating, I take a daily probiotic, and I take Gas X (which my GI doc says is just a placebo - does no good). 

I would appreciate any advice - thanks!  Virgo Girl

Posted 2/3/2013 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Virgo Girl,

I was going to suggest BEANO before eating, but that's an enzyme.  If you haven't tried that particular one, go for it.  You take it just before taking your first bite. 

Just because you can't burp and get bloating at one year doesn't mean you'll always have it.  I had improvements even into the second year.

I also have a reactive stomach and get gastritis from time to time.  Have you ever tried Carafate Suspension?  I am never without it.  It coats the stomach and wrap and helps it heal.  Ask your GI doc about it.  You can tell him that you know someone who finds it helps greatly.  Just a thought!  It might help you be more comfortable and help your stomach heal more quickly.

Hang in there!

Denise

Posted 2/4/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Virgo-

Great to hear from you at a year out. I agree with Denise. I just had an issue with my wrap after getting some apple stuck and my surgeon had me take Pepsid for a month. That really helped when it was swollen. That may be an option too when things act up. you can get it OTC and it's pretty cheap.
You are right, even though our reflux is stopped we still have to take care of that stomach once in a while too. As for the EGD for barretts. Right now I still have active barretts and was getting an EGD every year. Since I have a good functioning wrap my GI switched it to every 3 years as long as the wrap is doing it's job. I think you are good to go since yours is healed and as long as you feel the wrap is working. If you notice any changes in reflux then I would talk to your GI about it then.

Take care
Bill
Posted 2/4/2013 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Virgo Girl,

Bill makes a good point that I forgot to mention.  When you're having stomach trouble, you can take PPIs for a short term to get it healed and comfortable.  I'm healing a gastritis bout right now.   It's nearly healed, thankfully.  I went on PPIs to protect it from acid as it heals.  You don't have to worry about rebound, since your wrap will protect you.

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 2/4/2013 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Dencha and Bill, very helpful and encouraging.  I will ask about Carafate for sure.  I forgot to mention that he put me on prescription strength Pepcid to take every night for my gastritis. I just started that a couple weeks ago.  I've been off Nexium, which makes my GI and family doctor happy due to some new research showing it may be bad for your bones with long term use.  

Relative to the gas, I think I just have to keep playing with additional enzymes; Beano as you suggest, and also maybe do an elmination and then add back of foods to see what makes the bloat and gas worse. I know we all swallow more air than we realize, so there really is not much to do about that part.  If I can get 25% better with the gas, that would be enough for me.

Again, I really think this is the best site for people who go through things such as this.  I have recommended it to a number of friends and they love it too! 

Take care, and thanks so much for the help.

Virgo

 

Posted 2/4/2013 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
I am also almost one year out from surgery. For the most part I can say that I would also do it again at the drop of a hat. to finally be free of GERD symtons is bliss - being able to sleep properly and not constantly feeling and being sick!!!!

I too though am suffering with the gas bloat. It really is painful when it decides to take hold. I have as yet to discover what the trigger is as it doesn't happen after every meal. I still get very full after fairly small meals so I it's not because I am over eating. My doctors here in the UK won't prescribe anything and say I have to just put up with it. What sort of things can anyone suggest that I may be able to try.

Any suggestions would be great
Regards
Eileen
Posted 2/6/2013 6:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mummye,

I know what you are saying. It's as if somehow through all of the research and years of surgeons doing the Nissen Fundo, they missed advice for long term dietary concerns. I suppose it is because everyone is different in what they can tolerate.

I think over time I will try a bit of a elimination and re-introduction diet. However, I also realize the inability to burp as much, or at all most of the time, will always create a level of trapped gas.

Hope we find some answers!
Posted 2/18/2013 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
I was always told a low fiber diet works best (which doesn't make my cardiologist happy as I have had 2 heart attacks and triple bypass, but...).

I can NOT take PPI's. I take Pepcid or Zantac twice a day, but still have acid reflux - even with a tight wrap. Carafate helps, but it constipates me BRUTALLY. Weight plays a crucial role here too - but how can you lose weight when you can't eat the proper foods to do so or exercise (I have bad legs and feet). The only thing left is starvation <sigh...>.

I really wish I never had the wrap done. No one knew it was the meds causing the problems until it was too late :(
Posted 2/18/2013 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Vinylmaster,
So from what you've written, you have discovered that you didn't need a Nissen? Did yo have the prerequisite testing prior to your surgery? (barium swallow, maometry, 24hr PH monitor, and endoscopy...sometimes stomach emptying)

Sorry to hear you're struggling. I do know that the trick to dealing with bloating is to get yourself burping before the bloating gets ahead of you. The wrap flap is created to become tighter the fuller the stomach gets, so if you can't get your burps going while it's still got some space to move, you're off to the races, and you'll have to wait until the gas exits the back door.

Can you get any burps out at all?
Good luck,
Denise
Posted 2/19/2013 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Denise,

Re:
"So from what you've written, you have discovered that you didn't need a Nissen? Did yo have the prerequisite testing prior to your surgery? (barium swallow, maometry, 24hr PH monitor, and endoscopy...sometimes stomach emptying)"

And then some? And all of them at least twice. My GI issues started after a heart attack - best we can figure it was the cholesterol medications because I can vividly remember having abdominal pains not long after taking it. Subsequent emptying studies showed gastroparisis - yet sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.. This caused Barrett's, ect. . After I had run the gamut of cholesterol meds I stopped them, and the GP finally stopped. The reflux is still there however (they said the 'valve' to keep the acid in my stomach is extremely weak, fwiw). I also reacted badly to the PPI's (take your pick, I've tried them all), so the Nissan was a 'last gasp' you might say. And - I still have reflux. The only thing left is a gastric bypass, which I wanted to do, but my GI doc stopped it because he was afraid it would make things worse (not to mention that it was pretty much impossible for me to lose that amount of weight that quick when I couldn't have fiber or those soy drink things they gave me). BTW - I did all of the studies after the Nissan too that confirmed the reflux. The ONLY relief I have had was from a gall bladder surgery which, unbeknownst to anyone, stopped the bile reflux stone cold thankfully (the Nissan doesn't stop bile reflux!). My GI doc thinks weight is the issue, but I'm truly stuck - I'm disabled because of my legs, so walking is pretty painful, and I can't do a treadmill or bike. It is what is....

"Sorry to hear you're struggling. I do know that the trick to dealing with bloating is to get yourself burping before the bloating gets ahead of you. The wrap flap is created to become tighter the fuller the stomach gets, so if you can't get your burps going while it's still got some space to move, you're off to the races, and you'll have to wait until the gas exits the back door. Can you get any burps out at all?"

You mean what 'passes' for a burp? Yes. I can't 'force' one however. I use Beano and Gas-X to the extreme if needed.
Posted 2/19/2013 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi vinylmaster,

Wow...you've been through a lot. So sorry to hear that the surgery hasn't worked out for you. When I decided to have the surgery I didn't really know if it would even solve my asthma issues. I just felt I had to try, since nothing else had worked. Fortunately it did work for me.

I truly hope that you find relief. I know it's tough.
Very best wishes,
Denise
Posted 2/19/2013 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
In hindsight, I wish I would have went through with my original decision (the gastric bypass) rather than the Nissan, but my GI and GP talked me out of it. But then again, that could have been even worse, so... You live, you learn....
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