Nissen on Tuesday...Terrified

I'm scheduled to have my Nissen on Tuesday and as you can tell by the title ^ i'm scared out of my wits.

I understand that it has to be done and it's in my best interests in the long term. I'm 22 and have hiatal hernia and have had reflux and regurgitation since I was 15. It's been prgressively getting worse. And whilst I know it's no where near as bad as some of the situations I've come across on this forum and elsewhere, both me and my doctors believe that it's better to do it now then wait until it's even worse and this is something that won't get better on its own.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I don't want to be 50 and having suffered all my life, only to have to go through the operation anyway :( Plus, i'm worried about the long-term affects of PPI use (and seens as I've hopefully got another 60yrs in me yet, thats a long time) and also of the damage reflux could do to my oesophagus.

So to cut a long story short, I'm having the operation.

Now here comes the hard bit,

I've been reading a lot of the posts on here and I'm just so scared. I'm such a fussy eater and like a limited amount of things. Also, being in the UK and so with the NHS, I'm not in control as much as people in the US are.

I'm scared that my doctor's will tell me to eat the wrong things, won't give me oral pain killers, will not give me anything for the nausea and I'll be sick and ruin my wrap. And even though I've read up, they won't take any notice because i've just read it off the "internet".

Hopefully somebody out there can put me at ease, anyone whose had it done in the UK? How did you fare?

Also, any handy sites/tips for good foods for a fussy eater :)

Any guidance would mean the world to me!

Melissa

 it is under the user name Janeuk called Toupet Fundolication and hiatal repair. I had 270 degree wrap instead of the 360 one and they call this a Toupet instead of Nissen.

My experience has been absolutely fine on the NHS and the care I received was amazing. I have written thank you cards to the two wards I was in and to the surgical team as they are well deserved. So please don't worry, I know that is easy for me to say, I was little anxious before the operation but I needn't have been. I was only in for one night too and it was like being in a hotel, couldn't believe it, I had my own room and ensuite and offers of food and drink on tap. The catering staff were not that familiar with what I could have to eat or drink but I was able to have yoghurt and apple juice which I knew would be fine. I also took my own decaff tea bags.

Regarding diet, I have love my food and wine! I have been on homemade smoothies, soups, ice cream and sorbet and digestive biscuits dunked in tea. I am on day 11 post op and tried a chunkier chicken soup today with meat pieces and rice, was not too bad going down but just have to remember to eat slowly. I also suggest you buy some Complan, Tesco's sell it. I have been putting this in my smoothies to make sure I get enough nutrients. Just been out for a couple of hours today and feel a bit exhausted now, you do get tired quickly so make sure you do get enough rest. I do not intend to drink any alcohol ideally to week 6 but I will just see how I feel and if I fancy a little before then I will try some and see what happens. The idea is not to have too much of anything in one go.

I am sure all will go well on Tuesday and please reply to my post if you have any more questions.

Best wishes

Jane

made the link clickable

Post Edited By Moderator (dencha) : 5/5/2013 6:02:08 PM (GMT-6)

Welcome to Healing Well!  I can see you've already gotten lots of great advice from some new friends here!  This forum is a great place to get information and support from others who know what the surgery and recovery is like firsthand.  Most surgeons know how to do the surgery just fine, but really don't understand the extent of the recovery. 

As far as the hospital food goes, you'll have to be your own advocate.  I remember they gave me ginger ale, caffeinated coffee, and a straw on my tray.  I was able to salvage the lemon ice, which was nice.  I feel sorry for the post-Nissen patient who hasn't researched the dos and don'ts, and drinks some nice carbonated soda through a straw. Ouch!  Bloating will surely follow.  Just tell them what you need and want.

We'll be here waiting to welcome you to the Wrapped Club! 

Best wishes,

Denise