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Lap Nissen and nausea...do any of you have this problem?

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Posted 4/23/2013 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
My sister had her Lap Nissen done on April 11th, she has been experiencing nausea off and on and I wanted to know if anyone else has experience this after their surgery. Her doctor told her to introduce more solid foods into her diet but chew it until liquid. We don't know if its the solid foods that are causing her to have the nausea or not. She will call her doctor in the morning but wanted to know if any of you have experience this problem.

Post Edited (S Kendrick) : 4/23/2013 3:27:52 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/23/2013 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi S Kendrick,

Welcome to Healing Well!  Yes, nausea is often a part of the early recovery from Nissen surgery.  Your sister is nearing the time of peak wrap swelling.  My surgeon warned me that my swallowing would get worse before it get better during the first two weeks post op.

Your sister has undergone major surgery and a significant revision of her upper GI tract.  Her stomach was stretched and wrapped and stitched, and it's complaining loudly about this time.

My surgeon also set me free to eat solids that were chewed to a liquid after Day 5 or 6, and I never had trouble with that eating protocol.  That said, your sister should listen to her body.  If the solids are bothering her right now (and she's experiencing near peak swelling of her wrap/upper stomach), she should move back to liquids for a while.  That doesn't mean an occasional cracker or soft scrambled egg will do her harm, but she knows her stomach best.  It's really trial and error at this point.

Be sure to tell her to hang in there...it gets better! Once the swelling reaches peak and begins to subside she'll gradually start improving.  This recovery takes six months for most of the healing and a year for the rest.  It's a big adjustment for GI tract.  It gets better, though! I'm four+ years post op and feel great.  It just takes time and patience.  If she can surrender to her recovery and accept what is it'll be a lot easier.  You can't rush this recovery, no matter how hard she tries!

Happy healing!

Denise

Posted 4/23/2013 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your response, she is doing some dry heaving from her nausea. She took some medicine and said that she will move back to solids.
Posted 4/23/2013 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
I had my surgery 1 week ago today and have had nausea off and on as well. I continue to take Zofran as needed and it helps pretty quickly. When feel sick have her try taking the medication and lying down with a cool cloth on her neck....I find this helps too.
Stacey
Posted 4/24/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Stacey, I think we are just worried that something is wrong or that the Nissen didn't work well. She will have a talk with her doctor tomorrow and see what he has to say.
Posted 4/24/2013 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi S Kendrick,

Retching is not good for the healing wrap.  I hope your sister has anti-nausea drugs to help her through.  Once wrapped it's important to always have anti-nausea drugs available. You never know when a stomach but will hit.  Just remember that there is a lot of irritation due to the surgical procedure, and an irritated stomach often responds with nausea.

I think it is important for her to baby her stomach, so liquids is probably the best thing for now.  I'm glad she's seeing her surgeon tomorrow. Let us know what she finds out!

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 4/24/2013 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely push to get the anti nausea meds. The nausea is normal. Her stomach is very unhappy right now. I keep anti nausea meds with me at all times since I can't physically vomit. Dry heaves are nasty.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 4/24/2013 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
She has went to the ER, the dry heaves kept coming last night and she called her doctor this morning and he told her to wait to come see him in the morning but she didn't want to risk harming the wrap. She has anti-nausea medication but for some reason it didn't work last night.
Posted 4/24/2013 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi S Kendrick,

How is she doing today? 

Denise

Posted 4/24/2013 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
I hope she is doing better. I know I still have quite a bit of nausea and im at 11 weeks. it does take time.
Posted 4/24/2013 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Her doctor decided to keep her over night because he wants to make sure her wrap is okay. He thinks it's a stomach virus but wants to make sure it's also not from her surgery.

I will try and keep you all updated, thanks again for all your help.
Posted 4/24/2013 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Keep us posted.  I'm glad her doctor is on it and is taking this seriously.  You were right to get to an ER with her retching.  It's definitely not good for a healing wrap.  That was absolutely the right decision!  Good luck!!

turn
Posted 4/24/2013 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with the decision to go to the ER. The dry heaves are horrible. Do you mind letting us know which nausea med she is taking? There are several different ones. I use phenergan with great results.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 4/25/2013 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
While at the hospital she is using Zofran but at home she has Phenergan. They have also given her a patch until they can give her and IV.
Posted 4/25/2013 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
My sister had an Upper GI X-Ray done today and it came back fine, so her doctor think it is either a stomach virus or fluid on her ear. She had her gallbladder removed a couple years ago and the doctor was worried about that and did an MRI to see if everything was alright. Those results won't be back until the morning.
Posted 4/26/2013 10:32 AM (GMT 0)
S Kendrick

I had my gallbladder removed about 1.5 years before my 1st nissen. I wouldn't think that would cause a problem. Hope she feels better soon. I know how nasty it is to be nauseous after this surgery.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 4/26/2013 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
So far she is still having nausea but she was able to keep the jello down and some juice. Her doctor said it's a stomach virus and then she has anxiety on top of all of that. She is scared and doesn't want to be sick anymore, hopefully she is okay enough to go home tomorrow.
Posted 4/26/2013 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Fingers crossed! turn
Posted 4/26/2013 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Yes fingers crossed, she is on a soft liquid diet for her dinner at the hospital and so far so good. Her doctor said that if she can keep her food down tomorrow morning and feel good then she can go home.

I just want to thank you all for your kind words and your encouragement through this horrible time!!
Posted 4/26/2013 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
I almost forgot to say that my sister's Primary Doctor is going to send her home with a prescription of Phenergan.
Posted 4/27/2013 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
S Kendrick,

Great!  She needs to always, always have anti-nausea drugs, even when she's fully healed.  A severe stomach virus could cause damage even in the future. I'm never without them! turn    We're glad to offer our support! 

Best wishes!

Denise

Posted 6/7/2014 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
I am 6 weeks post op and very nauseated. does this get better? please someone respond to this thread.. I know that this is old but I need some answers please.
Posted 6/7/2014 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi jeans,

Welcome to the Healing Well yeah yeah yeahWrapped Club! yeah yeah yeahYour stomach has been through a lot, so nausea is a reaction that some have had. It takes a full six months for most of the healing and a year for the rest. Still, everyone is different, and nausea is an issue that can hang on. Are you using any anti-nausea medications?

In most cases, nausea is a reaction to stomach irritation. Be sure to baby your stomach. Stay away from spice, acidic foods, rough/raw foods, and alcohol. Be sure to take small bites and chew your food until it is a liquid/creamy consistency.

Hang in there...it will get better!
Happy healing,
Denise
Posted 6/7/2014 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Denise. My surgeon really didn't explain the diet to me well. Im on zofran helps sometimes but not always. I guess I was trying to eat too soon. Ill go on liquid soft food diet. Hopefully this will help some.
Posted 6/7/2014 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Denise im at 6 weeks post op. How much longer will the nausea ladt? I would love to talk to you since I am going crazy.

Don't post your phone number--too risky. You can email me if you'd like. Just click on the envelope icon under my name. ;-)

Post Edited By Moderator (dencha) : 6/7/2014 6:06:15 PM (GMT-6)

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