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9 weeks post nissen

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 3/12/2013 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
I am about 9 weeks post nissen and enjoyed a huge improvement in heartburn for the first 6 to 7 weeks.  about 2-3 weeks ago, my heartburn syptoms began to come back.  My main symptom is a feeling of inflammation of the throat and a hoarse voice.  I am having some trouble keeping food down.  This is with 60mg extended release Dexilant every morning. 

The symptoms seemed to show back up after a few weeks of probably eating too much, and definitely drinking too much alcohol.  I am a CPA and this time of year is definitely busy and stressful for me, so I imagine it has something to do with that.  I am trying something new - no alcohol and very small portions of food.  After a week, I noticed the beginnings of improvement.  However, this past Sunday I decided to go golfing for the first time, had a few beers, and afterwards Mexican food for dinner and some margaritas.  With that said, a couple of days later and my symptoms seem to be back.  Has anyone had similar problems?  I spoke with my surgeon and it doesn't seem to be a problem with compromising the wrap (I did not have any vomiting or traumatic events post op). 

It seems like every time I drink alcohol, the area just below the ribs on the left side (where the wrap is) gets more sore, and my symptoms come back.  When I swallow liquids, usually I feel small bubbles coming back up as opposed to burping.  This began around the time when the symptoms showed up.  I'm hoping that the scar tissue around the wrap will continue to soften up and allow the wrap to start functioning more effectively.  I'm also guessing that alcohol hurts this process.  I imagine that the symptoms started coming back once the swelling started going down and the wrap started letting more through.  Can anyone corroborate?

I'm just starting to get very scared that this is not going to heal me.  Before the surgery I had a lot of problems with my voice, and this developed into confidence issues and trouble speaking.  After the surgery everything started coming back and it was amazing.  Now I feel like I'm losing it again.  Any advice or insight would be most welcome.  Thanks!!

Post Edited (recleague) : 3/12/2013 1:24:10 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/12/2013 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi recleague,

Welcome to the Healing Well yeah yeah yeah Wrapped Club! yeah yeah yeah What you're experiencing is oh, so common.  As your healing progresses you start to eat and drink more aggressively, and your healing wrap isn't quite ready to handle it all. Remember that although you only have a few little slits to show for it, you have had major surgery. 

Listen to your body.  It's speaking loud and clear.  It's not ready for Mexican food and beer yet.  It's got some more healing to do, and it's not happy with you at the moment.

This is a recovery that takes lots of patience and trust.  Surrender to it, and follow its lead. When you've had more healing time, you'll be able to eat and drink all those things.  You've still got some swelling, and your poor upper GI tract has been through a lot.  Give your stomach and esophagus a break.  It takes a full 6 months for most of the healing and a year for the rest.

If you can tolerate PPIs I'd suggest you go back on yours for a few weeks to help calm things down.  The other issue is with food/drink/medication getting stuck at the wrap site and creating irritation and inflammation.  Baby that body of yours, and give it time and space to heal.

You'll get there...it takes time, though.  I've always found upper GI/stomach inflammation takes a long time to heal, and often we'll challenge it too quickly and undo the healing that has occurred, bringing us back to square one.

Back off on the types of foods you're eating.  Be sure to eat slowly and chew your food completely.

Hang in there...you'll get there!

Patience.

Happy healing!

Denise

Posted 3/13/2013 9:19 AM (GMT 0)
recleague

I agree completely with Denise. Please lay of the alcohol and spicy foods and let your body heal. You are stil way early in the healing process.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 3/13/2013 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
Denise and Bill,

Thank you for your replies. It is good to hear from people with experience with this surgery. I have returned to a smaller portion, alcohol-free diet with more neutral foods. I will post here regarding my progress. I know a lot of people must read about the surgery on here, and I hope that my situation will be an example of someone who had to adjust during their recovery, and who ultimately enjoyed great improvement.

At first, it is hard to balance the surgeon telling you at 6 weeks that you can return to exercise and begin eating normal foods with moderation. As of today, 3/13/13, I am on my 3rd consecutive day of moderation. I'll try to update in a week or so.
Posted 3/13/2013 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi recleague,

It's good to hear that you've gotten a start on babying your upper GI tract.  Don't be surprised if it takes longer than a week.  Before my surgery I'd get gastritis and esophagitis, and it would take two months and sometimes three before I could go back to eating normally.   In the meantime I'd lose 20 pounds, have lots of pain, and my lungs would be a mess from he reflux as well.  I'm not saying it will take that long for this flare-up to resolve. I'm just giving you an example of the fact that upper GI tissue is sensitive and healing takes time. 

It will improve.  Just keep babying it and try to be patient and trusting.

Been there, believe me.

Happy healing!

Denise

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