After Nissen Wrap. 8 weeks today

I had the wrap done on 2/4/13/ I couldn’t wear a bra for the first month I felt like it was just too sensitive around my breast bone area and now I find I am having a hard time again. I feel like the bottom of my bra just cuts across the wrap and it is so painful by the end of the day I can’t wait to loose this stupid thing? Or I feel like it is chocking me it becomes so tight. Does anyone else remember this or have had this happen suggestions. I have tried a sports bra and that was even worse.

 

Also Did you notice anychange in your cycle after the surgery. wasn't sure if it should effect it.

Post Edited (Tarachriso) : 4/3/2013 7:13:08 AM (GMT-6)

Storming said...
I couldn't wear a bra comfortabley for a few months. I had to wear dresses and skirts for 2 months. I was swollen for a long time. I wore sports bras but a size bigger than normal. Its been 8 months since my surgery and my cycle is not back to normal. My friend told me it could take up to a year before my cycle goes back to normal.

Thank you for you reply I was starting to feel like I was the only one. extreemly uncomfortable. I never knew this was going to be this complicated pain, healing I mean I literally had no idea.

Hi Ladies


I am glad I continued to read other posts . I asked in my post were there any surprises after the surgery that may not have been talked about with the surgeon before time and no one answered me. This does.

I will be having my surgery on 5/14/13, so I guess I need to go out and get a few soft & larger type support bra's for this recovery. If anything I am excited to know that I will be able to lay down for the first time in 20+ years without a pillow. I will be able to eat & drink citrus juices, do yoga moves that requires my head being down and all sorts of other things I had to surrender while dealing with this horrible condition.

Do you have any suggestions on what typed worked for you?

Post Edited (Lady.G) : 4/23/2013 11:53:14 AM (GMT-6)

Yes, this post was very helpful.

1) The bra issue I really did need to know about. I am a C cup but I have to wear a D because of all the back fat. I am losing weight now so with any additional weight loss due to the surgery I should be going back down to a healthy size for my BMI.

2) It's a good thing for me I am having this done in the Spring/Summer recovery since I am learning I will be swollen. I can wear sundresses all the time & don't have to worry about buying any clothing until Sept. October. However, I have some of my smaller clothing that I was about to give away this week.....I better keep a few items on hand just incase I lose in the ranges others have reported 30+lb weight loss.

3) Spending money for clothings such as new bra's or clothes depending on the swelling or weight loss.

**Are there any other immediate things post op. like what to have stocked in the food pantry, refrigerator, first aid kit or OTC items?

Thank you, these are those surprises I am asking about. I will have my 2 adult son's to help me but I am sure they don't want to run out and get mommy new bra's....lol

Lady G

Post Edited (Lady.G) : 4/23/2013 1:29:06 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Tarachristo,

I can just say this...you are still at two months post op in a recovery that takes a full six months for most of the healing and a year for the rest. I can pretty confidently predict that this is a short term (although uncomfortable) problem.  Hopefully the area will get feeling better earlier rather than later!

Best wishes,

Denise

Hi Lady.G,

To be honest, I haven't heard much about this topic during the four years I've been participating on this forum.  It is always recommended that you have loose and comfortable clothes for the period of time when there is more bloating and tenderness.  Uncomfortable bras are discussed occasionally, but usually it's not a huge issue.  People seem to figure a way around it until they're healed.

I went searching for some threads with bra topics and found these two:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2404631

At 9 weeks post op, Alycarr00 wrote:

"Oh, and I can wear a normal bra!!!! YEAH. I never thought I would again. HA!  Granted it gets taken off ASAP!"

Here's the link: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=1013068&p=4

Hope this gives you some information.  I had a lot of left rib pain (I was coughing a lot during recovery) and I found ice to be extremely helpful. I used ice, rather than take pain medication once the surgical pain in the first two or three days home.  I know some like heat, but I find ice to be the best for treating pain.

Best wishes,

Denise

Thank you Denise & Bill.

I think the gel ice packs will do the job for the pain/swelling, thank you for sharing your journey experience.

I have added the nausea medication on my list of final things to talk about before the surgery. My surgeon is very good and she is informing me but on a level from the surgeons side. It is nice to be part of this forum so I can gain information from the patients viewpoint.

I feel even more comfortable with her after reading the post others put up. She request that I have several tests and I was thinking "here we go paddling the bill" but I can see all of the test were for my good. The Barium Swallow, PH test, Upper GI Endoscope (the camera is still in my chest) & x-rays.

Thanks for your input.

Lady G

Bill -

Thank you for your response. After reading your post I laughed....I have the clay packs so I can just pull it out of hiding. I heat it up in the microwave.

Yes, I had the manometry as well. I am due to have surgery 5/14/13 but my symptoms are getting worst. The reflux is coming out of my nose and it burns. My surgeon is seeing if she can fit me in.

Lady G

Tarachriso -

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. My surgeon has moved my surgery date from 5/14/13 to 5/6/13. I can't sleep my nose is burning so much as well as my throat and I have at least 8 pillows and 1 huge one from my living room. It is clear I will only get relief once the surgery is completed.

It sounds crazy but I am embracing the pain and discomfort. At least I can take pills for the pain for the first few days but at least I am not sleeping with buckets by my bed and a roll of tissues and paper towels on my bed for the "unexpected but yet expected episodes"

Remember to get liquid pain meds. I couldn't take pills for like a month I was mashing them up into jello Liquid pain meds are easy. just something to think about.

Thank you Tarachristo & Denise

See these are the answers I was looking for (when I asked about any surprises) liquid meds is now on my list.

Last night was a bucket and paper towel night & now with the nose issue becoming more frequent uuggghhh! I am making a list of request on my iphone so when I see my surgeon I can just go down the list with her and my sons. They can get the meds while I am still in the hospital. I am not sure how many days to expect so I am banking on going in on Monday & coming home on Wednesday.

I am creating a last day - surgery - recovery journal just for this procedure. I would like to be able to look back and see what my thoughts were years from now.

I am a 73 year old guy and obviously dont wear a bra or a "bro"as in the old Sienfeld episode. But I unconsciously fold my arms across my chest and it puts pressure on my wrap. Also I love to read in bed and balance the book on my chest...I causes pressure also....gets kind of uncomfortable

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

All insight was very helpful.

I will be keeping in mind to protect myself from bad habits (leaning over...I am always cleaning...OCD & using my midsection as a piece of furniture....lol...I am guilty). I purchased a few XXL halter tops (thank God for Spring & Summer recovery) I can wear lightweight and loose fitting clothes.