My post Nissen experiences

Hello all.

I am posting this thread in hopes that I can reassure/help at least one person out there.

A little about myself, pre-NF......I am 51. Ive had years of reflux episodes but never sought treatment until I aspirated into my lungs. Prior to this, I had mild asthma that was easily controlled with a rescue inhaler. Waking up with a mouthful of gastric contents evolved into uncontrolled coughing and vomiting.....on a daily basis. That's when I had no choice except to seek medical help. A rescue inhaler turned into many, many duonebs,medications and 2 hospitalizations. I had severe gerd and a paraesophageal hernia. I've been on steroids since November 2012. I was told by both my pulmonoligist and surgeon that if I did not have NF, that I could die at anytime from it. My NF was scheduled for 4/2. This is my experience and incredible journey to find healthy lungs again. I will post updates of my post op period on this thread.

Day of surgery: Feeling very, very anxious. This is my first "major" surgery....and I'm not going into it in the best of health.....and very concerned about my steroid dosing during surgery and after. I woke up in recovery room with the worst back pain ever!! I didnt have surgical pain but assumed that this was the gas pain from surgery.....it just located to my back instead of incisions and shoulder. I also woke up with a swollen, cut upper lip. I went to my room 4 hours later. I didn't have any real pain once I got settled in my room. Only needed a few doses of Morphine 1mg. My dressings look great and my stomach (upper) looks smaller than prior to surgery. This could be an illusion of grandier. Off to sleep.

1st post op day: (today): I got out of bed early this morning and have walked, walked, walked. I am told thatI can not have anything to eat or drink untilI pass gas. It's 8pm and still havent passed gas. Very hungry and thirsty. I have some slight abdominal discomfort at wound sites but nothing that is unbearable. My lungs are very, very clear.....a major accomplishment forme. I used my rescue inhaler once today. I'm told that I can go home tomorrow ifI pass gas......so naturally,I am on a mission to produce!! One more thing. My surgeon told me that he did not cut the vagus nerve. Is this normal? Stay tuned......

Hi Tammy,

Welcome to the Wrapped Club! Glad to hear things went smoothly!  It's good that you're on a mission to walk, walk, walk.  There's nothing better that you could do!  Sorry that gas is so stubborn, but it'll start moving soon, I'm sure. 

I'll bet your lungs are having a little party about now! Glad to hear they're already better.  Remember that their healing is a process that will take some time. I can't remember...do you have allergies?  Hopefully not, so you can avoid al the Spring pollen issues.

Not cutting the Vagus nerve is a good thing.  I believe that it is sometimes done purposely for certain conditions, including weight loss.  However, from what I've read, it's a disadvantage and mistake/accident when it does get cut, and can cause some problems.  So it's a big positive that your surgeon was careful and didn't injure it.

Keep walking!

Happy healing,

Denise

Hi cat98037,

Thanks for posting your recovery journal! If you dont mind me asking who is your surgeon and was your procedure done lapriscopically? Are you still in the hospital? How are you feeling now?

  YAY!!! Gas!!! Did you ever think that would be something to be cheering???  Have a great day!

POD #3: I was discharged this afternoon. There is no place like home! My hospitalstay/surgery was all positive. My incisions are all up very high and appear to be healing well. I've lost 4 pounds already. Probably just water weight. I do find that I am more hungry when I got home. It must be a trigger because my stomach feels full. There has been no nausea or pain. I hope that I am an exception here and never experience that. Until next time......cheers.

cat98037,

You are right, there is no place like home! It sounds like this whole Nissen experience has been really positive for you! That's good to hear! Some people really struggle with this surgery and I really don't understand why it affects so many people so differently. At the risk of sounding negative, I'm afraid I would fall into the "not do so well" category! As I mentioned before, my areophagia is severe for what ever reason (probably anxiety) and has been for years! A tighter sphincter and a tummy full of GAS for me would be a recipe for disaster! But having said that, I'm on a mission for a surgeon that understands me and all my issues. I had a consult just this week with one. He was a nice person and I feel from what I've heard is an excellent surgeon. No doubt this guy would do the surgery on me in a heartbeat but I felt a bit apprehensive when he hadn't reviewed any of my records. Oh well, going to see a few more surgeons in a couple of weeks for more insight. This is just the beginning for me. I will search hi and low for the perfect surgeon that understands me as a person and not another procedure! If I end up with a full Nissen wrap it will most definitely have to be a loose one! I'm thinking the Hill procedure would probably be best for me though. Anyway, I will continue to pray for your healing and quick recovery! I know you have to be relieved that the surgery is behind you now and all you have to focus on is a smooth recovery!

POD #4: I have experienced my first case of dumping......I think. I was eating some yogurt and by the time that I realized that I was eating too fast, I had to run to the bathroom. Also, I realized that I drank broth before the yogurt. I started feeling full/bloated shortlyy afterwards. The feeling subsided fairly quick. I am on a modified liquid diet for two weeks. In addition to clear liquids, I can have pudding, ice cream, cream of wheat, oatmeal and mashed potatoes. Right now, these foods are filling......except when I see pizza commercials. Ok. Lesson for today: make a more conscious effort to eat slowly. Until next time......cheers.

Hi Tammy,

It sounds as if you're doing well.  The dumping issues will likely be intermittent, and do seem to be related to eating choices.  Often the culprit is sweetened foods.  Here's an anti-dumping diet for you to check out, just in case you're finding it a problem:

http://uvahealth.com/services/digestive-health-1/images-and-docs/dumping-syndrome.pdf/view

It's great that you're taking the time to post your recovery experience.  It's very helpful for others searching information and the confidence to move forward with the surgery.

Happy healing!

Denise

Hi Tammy,

The cold sweat and lightheadedness sometimes goes along with dumping:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dumping-syndrome/DS00715/DSECTION=symptoms

However, Joy (couchtater) swears it's "liquid in, liquid out" and that the diarrhea will subside after you start eating more solids. 

I will say this...when I had dumping during recovery, it never follow eating...I would be able to hear my stomach gurgling, but I wouldn't have diarrhea until a few hours later.  TMI, but FYI...

The steroid taper does add a little muddiness to the whole picture.  It's great that you can taper, though!  Yay!

You are in the roughest part of the recovery.  You'll have up and down days.  I remember that Day 4 or 5 was especially difficult.  On one of those days I started getting tons of saliva, and since swallowing wasn't fun, I just had lots of tissues handy and didn't swallow it all.  That subsided after a couple of days.

Your wrap is becoming more swollen by the day.  That's normal.  Because of that, swallowing can get more difficult and uncomfortable.  I remember at one point, it felt like I was swallowing a big bubble of air, and it hurt.

The recovery is what it is.  Remember that you have had major surgery, and your upper GI tract went through an "extreme makeover"!  There will be surgical pains, swelling, and swallowing problems.  It gets better, though, but you can't rush it.  If you can surrender to your recovery and follow it's lead (and it sounds like you're doing that), it will all be easier.

Don't worry about the weight loss.  Some may be water loss due to cutting back on the steroids.  Believe me, once you've recovered you'll have to be very careful not to gain it all back. 

Happy healing!

Denise

Thank you for taking the time to update us everyday of your continued healing progress! I look forward to reading your post. It's encouraging to know you are doing so well for those of us who are so scared to take the plunge! I'm really struggling with fear and anxiety over this surgery. hopefully I will find peace soon! You are in my prayers every night!

PS: I had lots of anxiety, too. Tell the anesthisiologist. He gave me the good stuff before leaving for the OR. He also put a scopolimine patch on me to help with nause for 3 days post op. Worked like a charm.

Get a new pulmonologist for second opinion and several surgical opinions. I was on prednisone for 4 months due to the aspiration pneumonia. You don't want that....trust me. Your pulmonologist should know an excellent GI surgeon because often times, they provide referrals for people like me.

Don't give up and don't wait until you have aspirated. Have you had a esophagram? Mine showed a paraesophageal hernia with severe reflux......anfd was noninvasive.

Wendy, try cutting the Gi doc out of the picture. See your doc and ask referral to a digestive surgeon.These are the two main people involved in your care.Did your esophagram show abnormalities? Mine did along with my esophagram. Gi docs just dont get it sometime. You have already had lung issues,which will concern your pulmonologist. open communication between them is imperitive. You willl get there. Communication is essential my two doctors had wonderful plans for me. Don't give up hope.