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Nissen Fundoplication - How long until you can do things like pick up your kids?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 4/2/2013 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I have a bad case of GERD. I'm lucky - it doesn't hurt. My lovely symptom is a crazy uncontrollable cough. Its so bad now that I'm disrupting the work place - people who sit near me all have gotten headphones and listen to music to drown out my constant coughing! Sadly, my meds (been on meds for 10+ years) just aren't doing the trick any more so after a few tests to confirm, Doc says I will most likely need surgery.

Wondering how long people typically have to stay away from going to work, and how long it would take for me to be able to work from home - at least part days? My work is really busy right now but I am getting desperate to stop coughing.

Also, I have twins who are still only 22 months old and often want to be carried or picked up. How long before I would likely be able to pick them up again after surgery? They are both around 30 pounds or so.

Many thanks for your input!

Paul
Posted 4/3/2013 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Paul,

Welcome to Healing Well!  Like you, my lungs/cough was the thing that led me to surgery.  I just wish I'd done it much sooner, but as they say, hindsight is 20-20.  The lifting is an issue after surgery.  They will repair your hiatus hernia, which is the thing that keeps the wrap in place.  If you lift too much too soon, you'll risk damaging your hernia repair and thus your wrap.

Your surgeon is the best one to ask about lifting protocols and limitations.  I've heard the limitations ranging from 6 pounds, to 10 pounds, to 15 pounds for 6 weeks.  The time frame can be different depending on your surgeon, so that would be something to ask when you're having your first interview.  Obviously lifting 30 pound children is well over the weight limit.

Good luck making your decision. I would suggest getting help with the lifting if you can.  Still, the inconvenience and difficulty is well worth it in the end.

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 4/3/2013 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Does anyone have foul breath cause of gerd, hiatus hernia,like when you feel acid in back of throat,or stomach pain,you have odor from mouth
Posted 4/3/2013 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Denise! This forum is great. Makes it a lot less scary.

PH study and nuclear study next week then Dr. Appt on the 19th. I am desperate as it has gotten so bad lately. It is freaking out my co-workers since I am coughing so hard and so frequently!

The tough thing other than my kids (who I need to pick up evey day to get them into their carseats so I can take them to daycare) is that we are fast approaching a really intense time at work. My team has said they will cover for me, but wondering how much time most people need to take off before they can at least start working from home? Mine is a desk job so nothing physical.

Also, how long before most people can drive?

Thanks for anything you can share.

Paul
Posted 4/3/2013 11:30 AM (GMT 0)
I am having the Nissen done this Monday and had posted the same question regarding how much time I will need to take off.  A couple of people responded and said that two to three weeks with a desk job but I am sure everyone is different.  I plan on taking up to three weeks but my boss says take as much time as I need.  I am hoping to work some from home after the first week. 

Maybe you can start trying to teach the kids to at least hop up in their own car seat now so you would just have to buckle them in.  It has been a while since my kids were that young so I am not sure if that is possible but thought I would "throw it out there". 

I hope this response helps and good luck!

tcoffin

Posted 4/3/2013 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
I would say that you need at least 3 weeks. I went back after 4 and I was really tired still and felt like working was really kicking my butt. Things I generally did with no probelm were very difficult. I am at week 8 now and Im still doing the basic desk job. hope this helps
Posted 4/3/2013 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

Everyone is different.  Most important is how good is your surgeon.  I too had a cough and my gi doctor didn't think it had anything to do with reflux.  I did not have heartburn but the cough was embarrassing like yours is.  Finally we did the ph test which did show that when I coughed I was having reflux.  The GI doc put me on more meds.  Didn't help.  I had used a gastro surgeon for my crohns surgery and he specialized in this type of surgery.  He was a bariatric surgeon.

The surgery was on Thursday.  I was back at work on Monday.  Only problem was making sure I brought the food I could have.  Ate slowly and 1/2 cup at a time.

I just made sure to only eat small amounts at one time.... no more than 1/2 cup.  I ate often but only 1/2 cup.  I followed his instructions which he let me eat not pure liquid but the next step.  I pureed potato soup etc.  No carbonated drinks for months.  by eating this way, small amt, I did not experience the shoulder pain or chocked feeling that some do.  The surgeon also did a loose wrap and fixed my hiatial hernia.

The lifting you will need to ask dr. but should be a few weeks.

Good luck

Jayne

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