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Ian Victor's Nissen recovery

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Posted 9/1/2013 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
I slept fairly well last night. I'm able to take my pain meds over greater periods of time in between dosages- so there is a some improvement in pain. My throat, choking-when-swallowing sensation continues to frustrate and annoy. Today, I actually feel hungry-- I'm wanting to eat, but the task is still tiresome and wrought with challenges. I know that some have suggested to stay away from cold items, but it is the cold items that I am able to tolerate. They help raise my blood sugar and provide short-term energy.

Post Edited By Moderator (opnwhl4) : 9/3/2013 4:57:57 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/1/2013 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian
Hope each day gets better for you,I think you just have to eat what you can tolerate ,
As long as you keep hydrated that's more important then food right now.
Takecare
Ali
Posted 9/2/2013 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
Ian,

Glad to hear that you are finally sleeping better. This should help speed up your recovery as your body heals better during sleep.

It is amazing that everyone's recovery experience is somewhat similiar but yet different. Cold items do not give me any trouble either. I am on day 13 and sometimes I forget that I had this surgery two weeks ago. I have my follow-up meeting with my surgeon on Wednesday and am curious as to what he has to say.

I am hopeful that your recovery will take a turn for the better in the next couple of days.

Rob

Posted 9/2/2013 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian
I'm day ten now and I feel great,I'm still on puréed not pushing it just yet .
Your right with everyone's recovery is similar but so different,
I'm just hoping I stay on the good side.
For me everyday has got better for me .
Hope you continue to do well
Ali
Posted 9/2/2013 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian,

Keep positive you're only a few days in, and yet doing so well. Hope that you continue to get better soon!
Posted 9/3/2013 10:34 AM (GMT 0)
Txman4102

How are you doing?
I'm on day 11 now and I'm feeling great.
I still on puréed food but I don't want to push it.
I'm sleeping ok can do most things now ,only one of my incisions is still a bit tender.
How's things for you?
Ali
Posted 9/3/2013 10:53 AM (GMT 0)
Posted by Ian

I now understand the concept of the "rollercoaster" recovery. I have brief bursts of energy followed by pain. I then have periods where I have no motivation to do anything. I feel fatigued.

Liquid is finally getting past the wrap site. My throat doesn't feel as tight. I was able to triple my fluid consumption yesterday. My abdomen is still quite sore. Tramadol controls the pain and makes it more tolerable. I have an appetite and find myself craving certain foods-- all of which are forbidden at this point in my recovery.

I'm slowing things down today. If my body is tired then maybe I should nap.

Ian
Posted 9/3/2013 10:54 AM (GMT 0)
Posted by Dencha

Hi Ian,
It's definitely not a straight line to recovery. Glad you're having some good moments! As your healing continues these good moments will be more frequent and last longer.

I have a suggestion to make. Why not start with your Day 5 thread, and continue to post your questions and experiences on that same thread, rather than starting new ones for each event/symptom/day of recovery? Just go on and change your thread title to something like "My Nissen Recovery" or something like that.

Then it'll be easier to follow and you can ask your questions within that thread. For example, you could post Day 5 as a post entry and ask the question about the shivering right there in the post.

What do you think? Would that work for you? I think it would be better as I would be easier to follow your recovery and answer questions in one place, rather than scattered all over the forum.
Posted 9/3/2013 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
Posted by Ian

Denise-- I'm not aware of all the posting options found within this forum, so I will certainly consider "efficiency" as I post further topics and questions. What I do know is that the first 48 hours out of the hospital was a living nightmare. Now that I can swallow, I have hope. I was unable to swallow liquids-- and that was scary. Now I just have to be patient.
Posted 9/3/2013 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
Posted by Dencha


Hi Ian,
There are no standard posting options at this point, but from my four and a half years of experience around the forum, I've found it much easier to follow someone's progress and offer answers and support when the communication is found on one consistent thread. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of multiple threads by the same member.

I know your recovery these first few days has been difficult. Everyone responds to the pain and swallowing issues differently, and each body is unique, so it heals in its own way. If you can just tough these first couple of weeks out, things will get better.

Try not to struggle against what is happening. Realize that it's a process and that you will make it through to the other side. Accept your situation and try to trust that your healing will happen. Stressing over it, or resenting the process doesn't do a bit of good. We're here to offer support and encouragement as you make your way through the challenges of early recovery.
Posted 9/3/2013 10:59 AM (GMT 0)
Ian-

I combined your 4th and 5th day recovery posts. Please just add additional posts here about your recovery. This will make it easier for everyone to keep track of how you are doing.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/3/2013 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Ali,

I am on day 14 of my recovery and feel awesome. My appetite has returned to the level prior to my surgery. I can eat pretty much anything but I am staying away from meat, chicken, and bread. The only liquids I am avoiding are all things carbonated and caffinated.

I still cannot really burp (small air escapes prior to swallowing) or hiccup. I meet with my surgeon tomorrow and I am going to ask him if I can come off of my Nexium. I am also going to ask him about exercise. Since my appetite has returned, I need to do something to burn off the calories.

Ian,

Hope you are doing better. My recovery really took off on day 6 when I started on soft foods. The only problem I had swallowing was medications.....I either chewed up or diluted my medication in water until about day 10. After that I was able to swallow pills with minimal effort. It does get better....it is just hard to see when you are in so much pain. Keep your head up. We will be thinking about you.
Posted 9/3/2013 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all-- I'm now at day 6. I sleep well at night, but am always awakened by my body reminding me that I'm in need of a pain med. Pain decreases a little each day, but no dramatic increase just yet. My throat is still sore from the intubation, but again that pain decreases a little each day. I tried going for a short walk and became tired quickly. I'll take another walk today. I can swallow and stay hydrated. My throat feels less tight every day. I work from my home on my laptop and do so at my own pace.

Glad to hear that others her are progressing. Txman, I'm following your recovery closely. Good luck.
Posted 9/3/2013 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear your doing better Ian I'm day 11 now each day I'm better than yesterday
Ali
Posted 9/3/2013 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Ali-- When did you notice a significant reduction in abdominal pain from the surgery incisions? My muscles are still quite sore. I have to keep telling myself to slow down and not overdo any physical activity. I did go for a very short walk around the block.
Posted 9/4/2013 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Ian,

On or about day 6, I began to notice that the abdominal pain began to lessen considerably. In retrospect, the pain in my shoulder (from the gas used during the operation) caused me more misery than the actual incisions. I forced myself to walk 3 times a day for 20 minutes and the shoulder pain finally disappeared around day 5. Hope today is a better day for you.
Posted 9/4/2013 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Ian

I was pretty much the same as rob,my shoulder pain caused me more pain than my stomach incisions.there are two that were always more tender than the others.i have noticed today I feel bloated under my ribs so I'm not sure if its the swelling I am expecting.
I to walk a lot and if I don't I can feel the shoulder pain come back.i got hiccups last night that was a experience .
I'm just having liquids today as my tummy feels a bit weird today don't really know what it is.
I also feel a but tired again today I'm on day 12 so I think I'm going into the peak swelling stage.
I think our minds tell use we are ok but our body's tell a different story.
Takecare and don't do to much
Ali
Posted 9/4/2013 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Yesterday-- I backed off of my Tramadol, but that was a mistake. The abdominal pain is less each day, but I have to remember that tomorrow is the one week mark of my surgery-- and that really isn't a significant passage of time in respect to Nissen recovery. I have been blessed with minimal shoulder pain. I took a short walk.

Rob and Ali-- Glad to see that you are both progressing. I appreciate the feedback. Ali- my doctor prescribed Regalen for hiccups, and that seemed to help.
Posted 9/4/2013 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
I was only given paracetamol and diclofenic to come home with,in hospital I had liquid paracetamol .
I stopped my meds on the Sunday as the diclofenic made me feel sick

Ali
Posted 9/5/2013 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
I've now been home one week. Today, I find myself experiencing post-operative blues. Nothing serious but definitely real. I've have a good support system in place. Family and friends check in with me on a regular basis. I have less pain each day, so I recognize the gradual healing process. I slept quite a bit this afternoon, more than I had hoped. Later today, I'll go for my daily walk and see if my energy and mood pick up a bit.
Posted 9/5/2013 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Ian,

I get what you are saying. I live by myself and the closest adult family member is 780 miles away. My 10 year old son is just right down the road but he is too young to understand. The post surgery blues show no mercy, it can be a hard fight.

Sounds like you are on the healing track. Have you started soft food yet?
Posted 9/5/2013 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Txman-- I just finished a bowl of mashed potatoes and had no difficulty getting food past the wrap site-- that's a victory! I am actually full. I see my doctor on Monday and I'm hoping that he'll give me the go ahead to eat soft foods. I'm technically on Full liquid, but apparently mashed potatoes are included on that list if they are soft enough to eat with clogging the wrap site.
Posted 9/6/2013 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian,

It's good to hear that your eating has progressed.  Just be sure to limit your amounts to 1/3 to 1/2 cup at the most at each sitting for a while.  If you overfill your stomach it can cause discomfort.  Most of us fill up very quickly post-op, but a few don't have that warning signal to help them control quantities.  If you're one of those, you'll have to monitor your own amounts.  Many small meals are best.

Day by day you'll make improvements.  The walking is a great idea.  It'll help you regain your strength, and is a big plus for mood improvement!  Surrendering to your recovery makes things lots easier.  I know it's hard at this stage, but try to go with the flow...

Happy healing,

Denise

Posted 9/6/2013 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Denise-- I probably did eat too large of a helping of mashed potatoes. I've never been a big eater, so eating lots of small meals isn't a problem for me. I went for an enjoyable walk this evening and felt much better. I appreciate the encouragement.
Posted 9/6/2013 9:14 AM (GMT 0)
Outstanding news Ian! Your recovery should really accelerate now that you are on soft foods. I ate mashed potatoes for about three days before going over to veggie soup and apple sauce. I was just so happy that i could eat at the time, I was too scared to try anything else.

I can pretty much eat anything now at day 17 except steak, bread, and raw veggies. I have not tried those. I did try some processed lunch meat and that is a no-no still. Probably the biggest surprise for me has been coffee. It absolutely kills my stomach when I drink it now. Back to Earl Grey decaf for me. As Denise mentioned, some of us still do not have any warning features to let us know when we are full. As a result, my food intake is the same as it was post surgery.

I did not sleep well last night and have the first real discomfort in my wrap since day 6. It feels like it may be swelling again, or maybe it has been swelling all along and I am hitting peak swelling. I know Bill and Denise warned me and others about this, but I thought I was going to be one of the lucky ones and skip this stage....lol

Looking forward to your next positive post.

 

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