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My Nissen Fundoplication Recovery Journal

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Posted 3/3/2012 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone! Sorry to drop in on this blog, but there seems to be a lot of you on here who have had the sugery and i could really use some advice. I think this is the link to my post: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2357133 i would really appreciate it if someone who is going through/has been through the same, could give me some post op advice as i'm a little worried about my recovery!
Thanks, and sorry again to butt in!

Mel
Posted 3/4/2012 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mel,

How long are you post op? What are your symptoms or issues now?
Posted 3/14/2012 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
Day 36 Post op,

Ok guys, max here again with another update.

First off, symptom wise, as many of you have already read on my other posts I still have this burning sensation in my throat, mouth, and even my lips. It's very odd how the symptoms changed over the course of one month. First it was just the throat, then mouth, and now lips? I wonder if this is something else?

My stomach discomforts and much better now than pre op which is a good thing. It sucks cause I know my mouth is not healing as I see visible signs of redness and its not getting any better :(

I'm seeing a dermatologist tomorrow to check my throat as well as a dentist and ent in weeks to follow. I started taking b-complex vitamins to see if it may be linked to a vitamin deficiency.

So far diet wise, I basically can eat almost anything I believe except meat and probably bread. I can basically get everything down pretty good now.

I'm surprised how well I recovered from the surgery itself and how little post op side effects I have like gas bloat, nausea, etc. Honestly, sometimes I feel like I didn't even have surgery, just dealing with the same burning mouth and throat pains which suck as well.

Guys, I really need some encouraging words here. I wish there were others with similar symptoms to mine who got better over time. I didn't have the respiratory symptoms and typical heartburn cause I'm positive this nissen would've helped it. It's just my symptoms were so atypical. I don't know if it's bile, pepsin, or burning mouth syndrome or what. I hope to get some relief soon.

Thanks guys.

Max
Posted 3/14/2012 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Max,

Kudos to you for following up with a dermatologist, dentist and ENT in the next couple of weeks. Your at Day 36 post-op, keep your thoughts on the future and know things will get better.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 3/14/2012 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Kitt.

Regardless if it is more time that I need for healing, the dermatologist, or ent, I hope to find get better somehow.
Posted 3/16/2012 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Maximus, for posting your experiences.
Posted 4/9/2012 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Max:
How are your LPR symptoms now after surgery? I too have LPR and am considering surgery. Please let me know if the burning in your mouth and throat have gone away. These are the symptoms I have as well. It makes you miserable.

Thanks!
Posted 5/6/2012 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hey! It has been about two months since your last update...any changes? I certainly hope things are going better. It looks like you haven't posted at all on here for over a month so I'm hoping that's the case.

I've found some major relief from making some sweeping dietary and lifestyle changes. No more dairy for me!
Posted 10/29/2012 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I had a Nissen Fundoplication last Monday morning and I was released on Tuesday afternoon. When I was being released the surgeon told me to just eat a soft diet. No more information than that, vague to say the least.

When I got home, I went online and looked at many blogs and websites for Post Op Nissen Fundoplication information. Lots of horror stories, lots of different experiences and lots of doctors advising patients to eat different diets. No real conformity of information. I decided that I would experiment and try different foods and judge the reaction.

My food portions have dramatically decreased, so where it appears that I’m stuffing my face, I’m eating small amounts and often.

I’ve posted my first seven days post op and my plan is to continue to document my progress. I was inspired to do this by reading Maximus808’s diary. Thanks Maximus. I hope the post op issues you were experiencing have cleared up and that you are back on track again.

I hope this is of some benefit.

1st day:

Last meal at 21.00 last night.

Taken down to operating theatre around 11.30 am
Woke up in recovery just before 16.00

Nil by mouth after the operation.
Told that there were some complications as oesophagus had shortened due to prolonged damaged. Surgeon can’t confirm at this stage if the operation will be permanent as he had so little to work with. Operation took longer than expected.

Took a sleeping tablet tonight to try and sleep through the hunger as I haven’t eaten for over 24 hours and to get through hospital jet lag.

Woke up twice during the night to urinate

2nd day

I was able to have a very uncomfortable bowel movement this morning.
I think it was my body’s way of helping me to get out of hospital today as it is one of the requirements to be approved for release.

Black tea – Around 11 am - No problems
Veg Soup – Around 12 noon - Total distension of stomach, cramps, nausea, hot sweats.

*Jelly (Jello) and ice cream – Around 13.00 – minor distension, cramps and nausea

Discharged from hospital around 13.30

Home

Tomato & basil soup - Minor cramps

Yoghurt – No problems

Felt very tired and went to bed around 16.00 and slept for two hours. Sleeping on my back

Tomato & basil soup - No problems

Went to bed around midnight and slept till 04.00 - Sleeping on my back.
Got up around 04.30

3rd day

Craving texture and flavour. I made scrambled egg with butter topped with fresh black pepper. No problems at all

Two tylex for the pain


Feeling very low today. Must be the general anaesthetic and morphine come down.

Yoghurt - No problems

Chicken soup - No problems

Again craving texture and flavour had some mature white cheddar
BIG MISTAKE!!!- Major cramps nausea and hot sweats.

Two tylex for the pain

Baked Beans
choc ice cream
coffee

Over did it tonight with the food in an attempt to induce a bowel movement. No joy. Had cramps, nausea, hot sweats. Very uncomfortable

Went to bed after 2 am. Sleeping on my back.



4th Day

Awoke around 8 am. No nausea. A bit more pain around the wound sites. Some of the staples appear to be loose and some are riding higher than others and catching.

Scrambled eggs - No problems

Two tylex for the pain

Yoghurt - No problems

Tomato & basil soup and left over tin spaghetti mixed (very nice) - No problems

Chips (Cooked in an airfryer without any oil and not to crispy) - No problems

Had a very long and uncomfortable bowel movement

Coffee & Small amount of 70% coco dark chocolate (Not feeling good at all. No more dark chocolate)

Two tylex for the pain

Jelly - No problems

Chicken soup - No problems

Feel extremely full tonight. Feels as if the food is right up to the back of my throat. Hope I don’t have any issues while I’m asleep.
Went to bed just after 2 am.

5th Day

Woke up just after 08.30. No problems over night, slept right through.
Sleeping on my back still. Feeling of nausea and wound sites are very sore today. Don’t have an appetite. Feel totally discombobulated.

Two tylex for the pain


Nausea passed after a couple of hours and around 11am I decided to take a real chance and have some toast. Two slices of wholegrain bread toasted with butter and no peel marmalade with coffee. Bad move…. Within twenty minutes I have cramps, nausea, hot sweats and wind.

Nausea passes after a while and mid afternoon I have some chicken soup. No problems at all.

Coffee – no problems

Some time later I have two fried eggs done in butter (Fernand Point style - "Du beurre! Donnez-moi du beurre! Toujours du beurre!" What a legend) - no problems

Two tylex for the pain

Some *Jelly later on - No problems

Around 21.00 I have air fried chips with Ketchup…. Cramps, nausea and a stitch like pain in the left hand side of my chest. Nausea and cramps lasts hours. That's the end of Ketchup !!!

Finish the night off with some yoghurt. No problems.


6th Day

Yoghurt - No problems

Fried eggs in butter and coffee - No problems

Went out for the first time since the op for food shopping (Ate myself out of house and home over the last few days….). Got very tired very quickly. Wounds were sore too.

More experimentation tonight. I’ve bought fresh ¼ pounders and mushrooms for dinner.

Thai chicken soup – Wind, minor cramps.

Coffee - No problems

Really hungry today

¼ pounder (No bun) and mushrooms fried in butter and air fried chips and mayonnaise. WOOO HOOO – Red meat, a real meal at last. Stomach working overtime to process the meal. No problems at all.

* Jelly - No problems

I’m going to try some air dried German ham for breakfast in the morning with eggs
Mmmm… Can’t wait. There will be no bread!!!

7th Day

4 slices air dried ham flash fried in a dry pan. 2 fried eggs in butter, coffee – No problems at all.

Decided to make a pasta dish that hopefully I’ll get a few days out of.
Baked meatballs in butter. Chopped tomatoes with garlic, oregano, basil, lemon juice, salt and fresh black pepper, mushrooms and black olives with whole wheat penne pasta. Toss it all together.

Feel nauseous while cooking. Don’t eat straight away.

Have a small amount of the meal and no problems.

Jelly and ice cream - No problems


Roast chicken leg - No problems

Small bowl of the pasta dish. - No problems


Very happy with progress. Tomorrow I think I will try sausages and see how I get on.
I would like to add that I have being drinking a lot of water between eating. I’ve also been walking about the house and trying to do bits and pieces about the house as much as possible, without over doing it.

I still have a lot of wind, mostly flatulence, but that’s not surprising with the types of food I’m eating. I think if it continues, my wife may banish me to the back garden.

Like Maximus, I too had pain in my shoulders and neck. I also had pain in the area of my heart and for a time I had palpitations.

I want to say a special thank you to my wonderful wife who has been a rock for me through this whole experience. She has been there for me every minute of every day and has helped me bounce back to where I am at after just one week. Also my family and friends, who unfortunately don’t live near by, but have stayed in touch with me every day.

I have absolutely no regrets about having this procedure carried out. I could not wait to have it done. I can feel the difference immediately. After nine years of pain and suffering I can now start living again. The simple pleasure of taking a full breath of air and feel my lungs fill up, to be able to feel the oxygen flowing through my body, it’s fantastic. I can’t wait to start training again.


One week down, bring on week two.





Posted 10/29/2012 3:51 PM (GMT 0)

Thunder of Drums,

Oh my, i'm sorry that your doctor failed in giving you more information on your diet. As you may have read in other posts, diet is a fundamental part of your recovery and the overall functionality of your nissen through the years.

I am not a doctor, but i'm 15 days post-op myself. I did a lot of research and was given good an thorough advice by my doctor, so i think i can share some tips with you.
Just so you know.. apart from the incision areas, you should not feel pain in your recovery at all. My pain went away at around day 10 and from there it has only been the tightness sensation when i fail to chew my food thoroughly, but no other symptoms at all.

The main objectives of a post-op diet for a nissen fundoplication are two: Keeping your stomach from stretching and avoiding gas.

Keeping Your Stomach from Stretching

  • Eat small, frequent meals (six to eight per day). This will help you get the majority of nutrients you need without causing your stomach to feel full.

  • Drinking large amounts of fluids with meals can stretch your stomach. Drink fluids between meals as often as you like. But limit fluids to 1/2 cup (4 fluid ounces) with meals, and one cup (8 fluid ounces) with snacks.

  • Since sweet foods have a tendency to digest quickly, eat them at the end of your meal.

  • Sit upright while eating and stay upright for 30 minutes after each meal. Do not lie down after eating. Sit upright for 2 hours after your last meal or snack of the day.

  • Take small bites and chew your food well to help aid swallowing and digestion.

  • Foods that are soft and moist will be easier to digest. Avoid gummy foods, such as bananas and soft or crusty types of breads, which can be hard to swallow.

Avoiding Gas

  • Avoid drinking through a straw and do not chew gum or tobacco. These actions cause you to swallow air, which produces excess gas in your stomach.

  • Avoid any foods that you know cause stomach gas and distention. These foods include corn, dried beans, peas, lentils, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and any food from the cabbage family.

  • Avoid caffeine, carbonated beverages, alcohol, citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, and chocolate.

 

Here's a link to the diet i am following, i hope you find it useful http://www.harbinclinic.com/pdfs/GeneralSurgery/Lap%20Nissen%20Post-Op%20Instructions%20Brock%20Mayfield%20Scott.pdf

Posted 10/30/2012 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Chibicau

Thank you so much for responding to my post. I really appreciate you pointing me in the right direction. As a result of my naivety and assumptions, I was under the impression that the soft diet approach was purely to make the transition back to normality for the patient as easy as possible and not for any mechanical aspect like damaging the Nissen. As the surgeon had not put any real emphasis on the recovery phase and the dietary aspects, I assumed that once the procedure was complete, that was it.

It was with that reasoning I decided to use myself as a guinea pig and try and fast track getting back on my feet again.

I am now following your advice and hope that I haven’t done too much damage in the last few days.

Thanks again
Posted 10/30/2012 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
No problem! It was mostly information i gathered from different sources, i wish i knew that much XD

I hope you feel better soon :)

Posted 4/28/2013 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hello:

I just had the surgery on the 25th and came home the 28th -- wondering about a bad taste in my mouth and have a feeling this is part of the repair.  I still need to take nexium and I am assuming this is only until everything heals.

 

Posted 4/29/2013 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nissen Fundo,

Welcome to the yeah yeah yeah Wrapped Club! yeah yeah yeah Many surgeons prefer that their patients continue with their PPI during recovery, so you're not alone.  It helps keep the patient more comfortable and protects the healing wrap. 

Glad you've joined the forum!  I suggest you write an introduction, and post your experience on the main page (GERD - Heartburn).  That way you can ask questions and receive answers and support from other forum members.

Glad you've joined us!  It's a great place to get help as you heal. There are many here who have gone through or are going through the same surgery and recovery.  It's a great resource!

Happy healing!

Denise

Posted 5/11/2013 6:59 AM (GMT 0)
I am to have this surgery on May 14th 2013, but after reading these posts, I'm starting to have second thoughts! It sounds like a miserable surgery, and miserable for moths afterword :( I don't like this months of healing time! And the thought of possibally choking really scares me. Also, not being able to burp again? I get very nausiated when i can not burp. HELP! :(

~Mary
Posted 5/11/2013 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mary Sue,

Welcome to Healing Well!  I had the surgery four-plus years ago, and while the recovery isn't easy, it's much better than the GERD issues I dealt with before I had it.  I had suffered bouts of gastritis and esophagitis that were much more painful and difficult than the surgery recovery.

The burping issue is more of a problem when you are in the early stages of recovery.  During the first two weeks of recovery your wrap becomes increasingly more swollen.  This causes it to be more difficult for your stomach to let out gas. 

I could burp the first day at the hospital.  I should say, my stomach could burp itself.  Once you have the surgery, you'll have "stomach-led burping"...your stomach will be the one to decide when you burp.  Very occasionally I'll have a bloating issue (last Aug. I had two glasses of champagne, which I wouldn't recommend...too bubbly!).  It's rare, though.

Here's the link to my early recovery journal:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

It'll show you what an early recovery might look like.  Also, as you scroll through, I've written a bit about the surgery in general.

This is a great place to ask questions and get support.  As long as you've chosen a well-qualified Nissen surgeon who has done hundreds (in smaller cities) or even a thousand + (in a bigger city) Nissen procedures, you have nothing to worry about.  It's an art form, and it takes lots of practice to get great at it.  Did you get all the prerequisite testing done? (endoscopy, barium swallow, manometry, 24 hr PH probe/monitor or BRAVO)  It's important to have all these tests because they provide your surgeon with important information.

Don't worry!  You'll do fine!

Take care,

Denise

Posted 5/11/2013 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Mary Sue-

My experience is the same as Denise. I could burp a little right after surgery and can now burp fairly well. The worst part is sometime around the 2nd to 4th weeks. After that things got steadily better.
Yes this isn't any easy recovery. It's a marathon vs a sprint, but the results are worth the time.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 5/25/2013 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone
On day 5 of my op. Feeling good but my stomach is a bit distended. Is that normal. Bit worried would love some input pleas Breda
Posted 5/25/2013 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. Maximus I am day 5 of surgery so happy with my recovery but still have the burning mouth syndrome. Was so unhappy when I woke end realised it was still there. Had acid problem also but as both started at same time persumed it wav acid related. Any update on your recovery from. The burning mouth. I was looking up the website and it said alpha Lipoic acid. Won't try it till I recover more. Please keep of posted.Breda
Posted 7/5/2013 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
HI there, my name is Linda from Sydney Australia. I am having a partial anterior fundo on the 13th August and like most of you Im sure, I am nervous. I am anxious about the day after surgery and what to expect as far as pain, nausea and gas. How long will I need off work ect. I have only just found this site and its great.

I have been suffering symptoms for a few years mainly from LPR but the last 12 months it affected my breathing and I was misdisgnosed with Asthma and was treated with steroids ect. I kept saying that I didn't think it was asmtha because when I had a spirometry test there was no significant change pre and post ventolin. After a few months and visits to ER and and admission into hospital I made an appointment with an ENT, it was then I was dignosed with LPR. I went onto PPI's for 3 months while it helped somewhat I was still suffereing badly and lost almost 11 kgs (24.2lbs) in less than 6 mths beacuse I just could not eat anything without suffering. I then had a PH test done and it showed that my level of acid was 176 when it should have been 15 and under.

I was told that I am refluxing 70% of my day. I basicalled sleep sitting up and cannot bend over, have stopped the gym and cannot enjoy any alcohol at all. No spices, no tomatoes, onion garlic, oils fat, butter margarine ect. I also have a sliding hiatus hernia that will be repaired at the same time. I have done so much research amd feel like an expert on the subject now lol. When Dr's could not find anything I was told I was anxious and that in turn was affecting my breathing, making me hyperventillate, so I was persuaded to take a low dose anti anxiety tab and referred to a councillor. This was so frustrating when I knew without a doubt there was a physical reason I was feeling so bad. I could hardly walk up a flight of stairs without stopping to get my breath. When just 6 mths before I was active at the gym and walked 4k a day. On top of this I had chronic constipation which wasn't helping.

At last I found someone who believed my symtoms and gave me a name for it. I also found out about the importance of Vit D, and looked back to when I first stated getting sick and my level was down to 28. Vit D is a hormone that controls a lot of what happens in our bodies and how we feel. We can get Vit D from sun exposure the best is between 7-10.00am but must be virtually naked to get maximum benefit. Vit D sits on the epidermus of the skin and is absorbed, so if we shower and scrub our bodies we in effect wash it off. I have since been taking a supplement of 5,000 IU per day and have now taken my level to 93 and I feel so much better for it and Im sleeping better. You have to of course be under the guidance of ur Dr and make sure u have ur Vit D assessed before taking any supplements.

Keep up the good work on this page, I find it very informative.
Posted 7/6/2013 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mindbodynsoul,

Welcome to Healing Well!  Glad you've joined us!  Like you, I found this forum shortly before my surgery (February 2009).  While the members have mostly changed (except Kitt, Bill, and Joy/couchtater), it's still a great place to receive information and support, just like it was then!  I stuck around to "pay forward" the help and support what I received in my time of need.

It sounds as if you're a perfect candidate for surgery.  Your DeMeester score (176) is extremely high, so it's a sure thing that the surgery will be a huge improvement in your quality of life.  My DeMeester was always near normal, but like you, I was having lung symptoms as a result of my reflux.  The surgery did the trick, and my lungs improved 100%. 

I don't know if you've seen it already, but here's my early recovery journal.  I'll provide you with an idea of what one person's post-op experience was like. 

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

Be sure to ask any questions that come to mind both before and after your surgery.  We're here to share whatever information and encouragement we can!

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 7/6/2013 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for ur reply Denise, have been reading these post for a couple of days now, and have gathered some great info, thank God for blogs like these !1

Cheers Linda x
Posted 9/10/2013 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Do you, or have you had horrid gas after your fundoplication surgery, and if so...did you take anything for it ?
Posted 9/10/2013 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Reneg,

Welcome to Healing Well!  Are you talking about flatulence, or bloating, or both?  As far as flatulence, it's very common to have more of a problem post-Nissen as the wrap cuts off the escape route to the mouth via burps, and forces most of the gas through the rear door.  Generally this becomes less and less of a problem as healing progresses. 

Some of it depends on whether or not you can burp at all.  Some can, some can't.  An ability to burp even a little burp, can help cut down on the amount of gas that builds up.  I had my surgery over 4 years ago, and I rarely have gas issues.  A couple summers ago I was celebrating a special event with champagne, and I had two glasses.  Bad mistake...I got very bloated.  In my experience, this only happens when the gas gets ahead of my wrap's ability to burp itself.  Once the flap is forced tightly against the esophagus by the gas, burps are no longer possible, so the bloating just has to wait until things make their way through the digestive tract and out the back.

As you can see by my example, this is a rare occasion at this stage of the game. Most bloating and gas extremes are resolved by healing.  It takes 6 months for the majority of healing and a year for the rest.  I even found improvements into the second year. 

Hang in there...

Happy healing,

Denise

 

Posted 9/30/2013 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
September 13.
I have had the surgery Nissen Fundoplication Feeling pretty exhausted because of lack of sleep for many years before the surgery and also since. Neck and shoulder pain which I understand is par for the course. Something to do with the Vagus nerve. I am eating a sloppy diet even though not at all hungry. In the last 6 days I have lost 6lbs. My bowels have not worked at all since the day before surgery, even though using Movicol prescribed by the hospital. But tonight i have had a small glass of prune juice. I spent today in bed as no energy at all. Hopefully I will feel less tired as time goes on. I am grateful to read the threads on this site as it gives me a lot of encouragement for the future. Thank you very much everyone.
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