Requirements for post-op home care - Linx and NF?

I had my NF on 13 March of this year so I am NF + 24.  Prior to surgery, I printed out the University or Washington Medical Center Diet that this site has a link for in the files. Or you can Google: Esophageal Diet After Surgery.   Based on the diet I bought the recommended foods and drinks for their Clear Liquid, Full Liquid and Soft Food diets.  I stocked up on Chicken and Beef broths, Juices, yogurt and other recommended items.  In the weeks prior to surgery, my Doctor stated on several occasions that I needed to be on a clear diet for two weeks.  However, after surgery he changed that and said I could eat anything that could be pureed.  The second day after surgery the hospital served me liquid oatmeal, decaf coffee and other items on the full liquid diet.  So after a few days at home on clear liquid, i began eating cream soups and other soups that I like--I would just run them through the blender. I especially liked Vegetable Beef.  I just put half a can in the blender with some beef broth and blended them together.

I am a worry-wart.  So I also bought in advance some of the items that different threads mentioned such as Gas-X, Stool Softener, Handi-wipes, Germ-X hand sanitizer, Kleanex, Liquid Tylonol and other small items that would keep me from having to jumping up every five minutes to get something.  I also retired my old recliner chair and bought a new electrically operated one because I didn't expect to be up and about for a few weeks.  (I slept in it the first four or five nights at home after surgery so that I wouldn't accidently roll over on my incisions).   I also bought lots of books for my Kindle. 

I didn't need many of these items so, if you have somebody to run errands or if you feel that you can get out of the house by yourself it might be best to buy them as you need them.

My Doctor also recommended that I have somebody with me for the first day at home.  Since I am married that wasn't  problem.  However I am not only a worrier, but when I am sick or not feeling well, I am just like an old dog--I just want to crawl under the porch and nurse my wounds--just leave me alone. ( little southern humor).  So I wasn't very good company for a few days.

As far as caring for my inciusions.  I didn't have to do anything!  My Surgeon used skin glue and they were completely sealed over.  There were no bandages of any kind.  On the second day at home I took a shower.  All the Doctor said was to shower normally but don't scrub the incisions.  I had a post-operative checkup after two weeks and the doctor looked and them and was satisfied that they were healing well.  After another week the glue began peeling off.  When the last of the glue finally came off, it took the few small scabs with it.  I don't know how common it is to use skin glue but it worked for me.  I am scheduled for my next checkup on the 18th of this month.

I had the on-demand Morphine dispenser the first day in the hospital but after the first night I didn't need any.  When they disconnected it so that I could walk about five hours after surgery, I didn't have them reconnect it.  When I left the hospital, they gave me two bottles of liquid Loritab with instructions to take it every six hours as needed.  I took one small dose the first night in order to get ot sleep but I didn't really need it for pain.  I am not a stoic but I haven't had any pain to speak of since I left the hospital.   

I hope you have as good an experience as I have had so far.  I will be reading your posts as you go through recovery.

R S-

I am like you. Just let me be and I'll be fine after a sew days under the porch, LOL! The recliner was my place to sleep for the 1st few days of all 3 of my nissens and I never used the bed while I was in the hospital for 4 weeks for the esophagus tear a couple years ago.

I liked my food room temp and the little containers of pudding worked well for me the first couple weeks a long with some oatmeal and scrambled eggs.

My self I didn't need any stool softeners, but many do. I was able to swallow the pills alright also. An extra pillow to put over your belly to hold if you sneeze , cough, or have little ones or animals around is a good idea. When you are laying down or reclined try to keep your feet up as much as possible to keep them from swelling.
Usually you are restricted to lifting no more than 5 to 10 lbs for about 6 weeks and have to wait a couple days to shower. I have had both the internal stitches with stery strips and the glue. I like the glue much better. They even used the glue on my 10 inch thoracotomy incision for the esophagus tear. My last redo was an open surgery and he used about 40 staples, I hate those because they start to itch so bad after a week. They looked funny to, like I could unzip my belly,

Take care,
Bill

I agree with the other posts. I had my NF-lap one week ago. I thought that I would be sleeping on a recliner but my pain was so minimal that I was always able to sleep in bed. I did support my belly with pillows on both sides, though. It felt great to sleep flat in bed!!!!

My anesthisiologist had a great idea. If you have problems with nausea, ask them to apply a scopalamine patch behind your ear. It works for 3 days.

I had no one to help me post op......and I was ok. I had bought everything pre op and set pots, blender, cups, etc......all out on counter so I wouldn't have to reach. I bought a lot of foods at Costco, like pudding, fruit cups, etc.....

No pulling, stretching or lifting over 10lbs until okay'd by your surgeon. But 10lbs is general rule. I also bought a hot/cold pack to keep on incision, especially when I return to work. You should be able to return to work when you no longer need narcotic pain meds and can swallow ok.

No wound care needed......just soap and water. I was allowed to shower the 3rd day.

Hope this helps. Good luck.