My loving 4 yr. Old's Surgery

Jacobs mom

Welcome to Healing Well. Sorry to hear your son needs this surgery.

I have had the nissen surgery 3 times, but I don't have any direct experience with the paraesophageal surgery. We do have some members who have had that very same surgery. A few of them have been quite recently also.

From what they have posted and I have read they usually do a nissen fundo after they bring the stomach back where it belongs and close the hernia. I do have a lot of experience with the nissen, but with your so being so young I am not sure if all of it would apply. Children are so much more resilient than we think.

You want to know how many of these surgeries has he/she done and if any needing redoes. Due to them knowing he has this hernia I would say the testing has been done.

Ask the surgeon what kind of diet specifically he wants your son to be on and exactly how long for each stage. Usually the surgeons don't give very good directions for this, some do though. I was told I could eat soft food when I went home, but had to chew very, very well.
There a few problem foods. 1 is soft bread, but toast usually is OK because it chews up vs turning into a bolus. Another is solid meats. Ground meats usually are OK once allowed to have soft foods.
If he eats to fast food may get stuck at the wrap. Not a pleasant experience. Sometimes when drinking if air is gulped too the liquid may hang up until the air has been moved up.

No straws if at all possible, they introduce more air into the stomach. It's much harder to burp after this surgery and air that is normal burped out stays in the stomach has to go out the other end.

Room temp or slightly warm drinks are best. They are easier to get past the wrap. Cold drinks can cause it to tighten up and this makes it harder to get any thing past the wrap.

Why he is healing the amount he can eat each meal will be smaller because things will be swollen. If he over eats his stomach hurt.

On the weekends we usually have less people replying, but I am sure other members will be along to add some info.

Take care,
Bill

Thank you both Bill & Doggbones!!! I really do appreciate the time you both took to give me very helpful advice.

Thank u couchtater will do!!! I appreciate the advice.