My NF experience

I am two days out from my NF surgery.  I had the surgery because of constant reflux and a large hiatal hernia which, as it turned out, more than 1/3 of my stomach was in my chest.  So they pulled it back down and took three stitches in the hiatus to reduce the size of the hole.  Then they did a 360 wrap.  Interestingly, they used skin glue to seal the incisions.  I expected staples or sutures.   I don't remember anything about the operation.  I didn't feel anything.  The surgery took three hours with one hour in the recovery room. I woke up in my room with my wife by my bed and a catheter for urine.  The catheter came out the second day. They had also put in a hose to pump out stomach acid but they removed that before I woke up.  The only reason I even know about it is because my throat was a little sore and they said that it was due to the hose.  Anyway, not all the stories you read about the NF are negative. 

I had a talk with the Surgeon yesterday during his rounds and he said beginning today I could have a real liquid diet instead of clear liquids.  Real liquid to him means anything that can be pureed.  So this morning they brought me watery oatmeal, raspberry yogurt  and a small cup of coffee and some other juices....I was dumbfounded but the tray was prepared by their kitchen according to his orders so I ate as much of it as I could.  It went down smooth and without any after effects.  For lunch there was the usual juices but there was also chocolate pudding and ice cream.

I know there have been lots of messages in the Facebook group Nissen Fundoplication, that some of those foods were verboten--chocolate, raspberries with seeds, coffee, etc.  But so far I can honestly say I had no aftereffects from them.  So I am feeling guilty about not suffering enough compared to most of the members of my support groups....

Retired Seabee

Sounds like it's going well and as our great Kitt said...don't feel guilty, you deserve to be free of the symptoms after going through the surgery!

I was eating soft foods by the 2nd evening as long as it can be chewed to a liquid consistency and it tastes good, eat it. No don't eat too much at one time or your body will revolt. Early on the warm liquids can help sooth things as well or better than cold things.

Take care,
Bill

Hi Retired Seabee,

It sounds like you're doing great!  Straws are a bad idea.  I'm four years post op and I still avoid them.  They introduce a lot of air into your stomach, as each time you suck up the liquid, you're sucking up air as well. 

Happy healing!

Denise

Hi Stu,

Here's a good resource for eating post-Nissen:

https://healthonline.washington.edu/document/health_online/pdf/Esophageal_Diet_After_Surgery_3_11.pdf

Whatever you choose to introduce into your diet, be sure to take small bites and chew, chew, chew.  Your mouth can be your blender.  Most of us are in the habit of swallowing partially chewed foods.  That needs to stop now, so be sure to be aware of what you're doing when you eat...don't allow yourself to revert to habit.

As far as your PPI...you can easily open the capsule and put it in applesauce.  Just don't chew the applesauce if the PPI you take is time release and says it shouldn't be chewed.  Any ordinary (non-time release) can be crushed and added to applesauce as well. Taking PPIs for a while will protect your poor, irritated stomach and wrap while it heals.  Also, at early stages your wrap is swollen and misshapen, and it's not doing the full job it was intended to do. 

Don't forget that in the first two weeks your wrap will become increasingly swollen.  This swelling peak on or about the 14th day or so, and then begins to subside gradually. Don't be surprised if your swallowing gets worse before it gets better.

Walking is a great way to help eliminate shoulder pain. When I was in the hospital I walked laps around my floor whenever I got up to use the bathroom.  (A great night nurse recommended it.)  Once home, get up and walk around your house as often as you can.  After you've given yourself a week or so to heal, if you have access to a treadmill, or the weather is nice enough, a longer, slow walk is great.  Just stay away from hills, take it slow and very gradually increase distance and speed over time as your recovery progresses.  This will help you regain your strength as well.

Happy healing!

Denise

Hi Stu,

They pumped you full of gas to open up the field of vision so they could do the surgery, so the walking helps move it out.  Don't worry about eating.  Your stomach is telling you it's not ready yet.  You can sip on liquids or ice juicy or something that gets liquids in you (if you're on IV you don't have to worry about dehydration--just when you get home).  Your stomach will accept food soon. It's still early.

My mantra is always, "listen to your body and follow its lead."

Happy healing!

Denise

I am off PPIs just because I haven't tried to take them. Prior to surgery I only took Nexium and it worked wonderfully for me. They eliminated most of the acid but did nothing for the reflux. The reflux seemed to linger just behind the UES--ready to choke me if I relaxed. The nurse at the hospital told me not to crush them like I have to do with my other meds. That is because they are time release. My biggest problem is to crush Alopurinal for gout...it is a big pill and so is Norvasc. I bought a pill crusher but I just haven't got around to doing it.

The hospital gave me three bottles of ZoFran and two bottles of liquid lortab. So far I took one snort (15 ML) of the Lortab right after I got home but I really didn't need it. I am amazed that there was relatively little pain throughout the entire experience. I also bought some liquid Tylonol for children but haven't had to use that either. I am not a stoic. In fact I am pretty much a baby when it comes to pain. But even the ache in my left side is starting to go away.

Likewise the Zofran...I haven't had to break the seals on the bottles. But I am going to carry some of them with me when I feel like getting out of the house.

As far as walking goes, I returned from the recovery room at 5 PM. On the advice of many members of this group and HealingWell.com, I got up about 10 PM and walked two laps around the perimiter of the surgical floor. I did the same every few hours --when ever I woke up. Every time I got out of bed it got easier to swing my legs over the side. I also got up and sat in a straight-backed chair to eat whatever they brought me.

I really have to thank all of my on-line parthers: this Facebook group and HealingWell for all of the advice and encouragement that they gave.

I'm with you, Seabee. My NF experience has been only positive. No burning or heartburn immediately after surgery, no PPis immediately, no shoulder pain, very little gas. My biggest issues have been being sore from the incisions & not being able to eat or drink much at a time - both of which I expected. I would recommend this to anyone suffering with GERD.

Good luck to you!

Wendy-

Please email R.S. for this. His email is the envelope under his username.


Take care,
Bill