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Just got home from my Nissen

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Posted 4/26/2013 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
It's over, now for the recovery ! Thanks to this group, I went into this fully informed about what to expect. I did find that what I learned from fellow 'newly wrapped' members regarding what foods to avoid post op really helped as the hospital often sent things that were advised not to take ei. using a straw for drinks, real coffee are just some of the things I can remember. Also, I was being advised to eat more at each meal when I remember that several smaller meals over the course of a day was better.

My doctor was wonderful with my requests for oral anti nausea medication , compazine suppositories, and oral liquid pain med for home use. Anything I asked of him he was most accommodating.

Even with all I had learned on this forum, it still turned out to be a bigger surgery than I realized it would be. I have had heart surgery and I feel this took the wind out of my sales much more than heart surgery.

My thanks to everyone who has posted their outcomes and given suggestions for a recovery. I also want to thank those of you who advised the mantra of 'walk, walk, walk' when feeling that shoulder pain. I really did help. Linda
Posted 4/27/2013 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Linda,

Welcome to the yeah yeah yeah Wrapped Club! yeah yeah yeah Glad to hear your surgery went well and you're on the road to recovery!  I'm happy that you walk, walk, walked, and that it helped your shoulder pain!  I am still thankful to the night nurse at the hospital who gave me that advice! 

Like you, they gave me straws, coffee, and carbonated beverages in the hospital.  Yikes!  I'm so glad I'd found this forum shortly before my surgery and knew how to advocate for myself!

You're lucky to have such an accommodating surgeon!  Don't forget that you will need to have anti-nausea drugs on hand forever and always now that you've been wrapped.  I carry them in my purse, just in case.  Better safe than sorry!

Be sure to ask any questions that come up.  If you can surrender to your recovery and follow it where it leads you, you'll do fine.  You can't rush this.  Just go with the flow.  Listen to your body...it will know what's best.  If you can accept your recovery as it is, you'll find it much easier.

Again, glad you're home and healing!

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 4/27/2013 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Denise, thank you. I am reminding myself that quote you have said to others about surrendering to the recovery. And to go with the flow. That is so powerful a thought, especially when one is hurting or bloated, and so I get up walk around and just try to say that to myself. Thank you also for the advice to keep anti-nausea meds with me all the time, and forever. Linda
Posted 4/27/2013 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Denise

How long does this referred pain to the left shoulder persist? I am assuming it will go away as the swelling goes down, a couple of weeks maybe? Linda
Posted 4/27/2013 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Linda,

That's a good question.  The more you walk and keep it at bay, the better.  I'd notice that if I stopped walking, it would come back.  I wish I could tell you a definitive time, but I honestly don't know.  It's one of those things that gradually resolve and suddenly you realize it's gone. 

I do know why you're anxious to get rid of it, though.  I thought it was the most painful part of the surgery!  So, so annoying!  Hang in there, though...it does go away!

Happy healing!

Denise

Posted 4/27/2013 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Denise

Thank you !
Posted 4/29/2013 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Today is a good day ! The shoulder pains are a lot less and getting up and about surely helps. I'm staying on full liquids per the docs orders, but current problem is constipation. I tried a small dose of MOM last night, hope it kicks in. Any other suggestions? I'm hesitant to take any thing stronger at this point, this is day 5 post op for me.
Posted 4/29/2013 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Linda,

Constipation is a common post-op complaint.  You're not eating as much, you're not drinking as much, and you're not moving as much.  In addition the narcotic pain medication you're on slows everything down as well.  I would think the MOM will work.  Stool softeners are very gentle and work well.  I believe there are some liquid ones...just ask your pharmacist.  You can always call your PCP for advice...or even contact your surgeon's office.  I'm sure they're used to that complaint!

Glad to hear the walking is helping with the shoulder pain.  I always found a direct relationship between the amount I walked and how much my shoulder hurt.

Happy healing,

Denise

Posted 4/29/2013 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Denise, thank you

Linda!!
Posted 4/29/2013 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Linda-

Colace and Senakot work well also. Be aware that you may start to have dumping also. It's kind of crazy with the bowels the first several months. And yes you tummy will talk to a lot for a while. All kinds of weird noises.


Take care,
Bill
Posted 4/30/2013 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
Miralax helped me a little bit. but it is also a side effect of the anti nausea medication. but believe me a only a couple of days after your body is doing you a favor. if you push it will hurt. good luck and hope you have a speedy recovery I am at 12 weeks now so let me know if I can be a help.
Posted 5/3/2013 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
All is well in the above mentioned department !! Just a little x-lax at bedtime and it worked. This has been a 'hit the wall' type day as far as energy level. I figured this might happen. I've listened to my body and have taken 2 short naps, and this evening feel better. This is day 8 and the shoulder pain is almost totally gone. I still feel some abdominal cramping if I eat too fast or too much; so today has been about taking in more jello. Swallowing is good, so I don't think I'm feeling the swelling of the wrap/ at least I don't think that's it.
I'm so glad I went through with this surgery. I am finding myself awakening at night flat in bed on my tummy, which is my preferred sleep position, and getting great rest , but I try not to do this yet as I figure it's probably not that good for a healing wrap ! But, no regurgitation, and no indigestion pains !!!!
For anyone who's considering this Nissen, full wrap surgery, my advice is go for it, and remember, keep moving through out your recovery, and listen to your body for the rest it needs, and for the food it needs. Go slow in the advancing from clear liquids on up.
Posted 5/3/2013 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi luv2drive,

Great to hear you're doing well, and things are on the move again!  There is a cohort of wrapped friends who don't seem to be bothered by the wrap swelling.  I can tell you that I was!  Still, you're not the first to be waiting for a swollen wrap and swallowing problems that don't arrive.  Be thankful!

Happy healing,

Denise

Posted 5/7/2013 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Well, today is day #13 post op H.H. and Nissen full wrap. All has been going well, but I think I hit the 'high' mark as far as wrap swelling. I don't have a problem swallowing, but after dinner (2 tiny bites of soft salmon and 1/2 cup very soft mashed potatoes), I began to gradually feel more and more full, until now I have an ache in the back of my throat and going down. I am walking around the house, taking sips of water, took a pain pill...just waiting for it to subside. I think tomorrow, I'll back my diet to more clear/full liquids for a while. Tonite was the first time having any solid type food. My teeth want to chew, and my mind is hungry, if that makes any sense, but I think I will listen to THE WRAP !! Linda
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