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My Nissen Journey- Surgery Friday August 9th 2013

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Posted 9/4/2013 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Steph,

Im so glad you are doing well. I see that you had a floppy nissen performed. Is there any reason why your surgeon chose a Floppy as opposed to a full wrap? Reason I ask. My surgeon recommended a floppy for me because of my last manomerty exam showed my esophagus is weak. What was your esophageal motility like pre-op? I just want to see if you had weak motility and your handling this surgery this well and able to swallow food without dysphagia than it gives me hope.

Again happy your doing well because there are too many horror stories on this forum in regards to this surgery.

Thanks

T.

Posted 9/4/2013 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tracks,
If I understood my surgeon correctly, the loose floppy he did on me was because my esophageal activity is perfect, as is my gastric emptying. Everything was normal on me and the loose floppy causes less swallowing problems he said.

My guess for you is that the loose floppy will help food go down better than a tighter wrap than if you had a full wrap.

I had no horrors, the worst parts were not even the eating, it was the diaphragm spasms I had and incision and shoulder pain. Everything else just feels kind of weird.

Ibuprofen and ice is your Best Friend Forever for those things though. They can help you through all those issues.

The worst thing I experienced though was the BLOAT and Constipation. If I would have known sooner I would have stayed away from dairy and oatmeal because those two things made it horrible for me.

Also, everything dries up because of the meds. Constipation and dry mouth need to be an every day battle for me. pretty easy fix though. My dentist gave me a RX for special mouthwash and i just take a stool softener daily.

Please let me know if you are curious about anything else! If I can help anyone else get through what i went through it would help me give back to this community because I dont know how I would have done it without everyone on here.
Posted 9/5/2013 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Tracks-

The floppy wrap is a full 360 degree wrap. It's the latest design of the nissen that they have found helps with the dysphasia after a nissen. They found the wrap didn't need to be so tight to function properly. In the past they used a bougie to size the wrap and sometimes that was too tight.
This new design ideally has no tension and isn't so tight. The no tension is a huge improvement as it allows the esophagus to stay in a normal position. My 1st had a lot of tension and that was a huge problem for me to get food past it.
My 2 redoes were done a s floppy wraps and work quite well.
The wrap they use for people with motility issues is a modified wrap either 270 or 180 degree wrap.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/5/2013 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I had the Nissan Fundoplasty on Aug 5th, so I am exactly ome month out from surgery. I have had several problems since the surgery, the worst being the development of Pleurisy, which is the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. I ended up in the ER - I thought I was having a heart attack. It's a bit better now, but I still cannot take a full breath. I am having several other problems, and wonder if this is normal.
Bloating-my stomach is still so bloated I can't wear anything but loose stretch pants or dresses
Pain- stomach is also painful to touch, even clothes rubbing on my skin is painful. Incisions are healeing, but 2 of them are really red and painful
Nausea and diarrhea - I am often nauseous and have had severe diarrhea since the surgery
Back pain- lots of pain in mid back if I stand or sit in chair too long
Insomnia- always a problem for me but worse now-getting about 3-4 hrs per night sleep - I'm exhausted
Food gets stuck- I've been trying to go to a normal diet, but think maybe I should stay soft for a while longer
General feeling not well- haven't felt good since surgery- nothing specific, just don't feel good

There is more, but thos are the worst. I'm trying to go off pain pills, but if I go an entire day without one I am miserable. I am an elementary school librarian and have had to go back to work. I'm trying not to lift anything, but that is a huge part of the job, as I am checking out textbooks to students right now. Hope I haven't hurt anything...
If anyone has any comments or suggestions for me, I would truly appreciate it. If I had known how hard this was going to be, I may not have done it...
Posted 9/5/2013 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Bill,

Do you remember how much of a wrap you received in terms of length? I saw my surgeon yesterday and he said mine was 3 cm. I had the minset that the longer the wrap, the more durable it would be. Do you have any comments or experience regarding the size of the wrap. BTW...I had a complete wrap.

Hi Bunny,

I hate to hear that you are having so much difficulty with recovery a month after the procedure. I am 15 days post op and cruising along just fine. Have you gone back to see your surgeon since your surgery? I would be curious as to what he/she has to say about all your complications. It sounds like you are having a very difficult time. I hope you get better soon.
Posted 9/5/2013 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Bunny I am sorry you are having troubles. I would for sure go back to your surgeon. It is their responsibility to make sure you have a successful surgery.
I do know about the bloat though. My surgeon told me that weeks 8-12 are when you really see a lot of improvement with digestive symptoms. I bought some looser clothing to wear to work, and I wear my boyfriends clothing a lot at home when the bloat is bad. I stay away from dairy and grains and that helps a lot, but I live on gas x and lots of walking. I hope that you call your surgeon and they are able to help you with your post surgical issues.
Posted 9/5/2013 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Day two back to work
Everyone is sick in my office with some kind of crazy cold. I didn't sleep well last night and am pretty tired today and way more bloated than yesterday, but not really in any pain.

When I get bloated my side incision hurts a little bit along my ribs, but motrin 800s help. I can even swallow a whole pill without breaking it in half which is pretty cool. I can feel it go down, but it doesn't get stuck. the motrin really helps with the pain and swelling at work.

I have been trying to use ginger to settle my stomach when it feels upset instead of reaching for the Zofran since I have had trouble with constipation and Zofran is terrible for the bowels. It just stops everything.

I did notice since they fixed the hernia that I can breath with my diaphram instead of chest breathing now! Its so much easier. Today someone mentioned that my voice doesnt sound strained and scratchy like it did before surgery too, so its nice to start really seeing some of the benefits.

I follow up with my surgeon again in 5 weeks.

Does anyone have any other tips for the bloating? I know they said it would go away, but is there more I can do?
Posted 9/5/2013 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
SJ:

Glad to hear that you are easing back into work. I went back on day 5 of my recovery and really struggled. I should have put in half days but I am a desk jockey, so I just forced myself to tough it out. I have not tried ginger to settle my stomach but I have been drinking warm decaf herbal tea. It seems to have a calming effect on my stomach.

As far as constipation, my surgeon told me to include fiber into my diet on day 6 of my recovery. I was unable to do that because I had just started soft foods. I believe I introduced fiber into my diet around day 9 (which you are well past). The fiber does make the bloat worse, but to me it is better than the constipation. My surgeon also recommended Milk of Magnesia to ease the constipation and it did work for me until I started the high fiber diet.
Posted 9/5/2013 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Steph, be careful that you dont catch a bug from work that you dont end up vomiting.
Posted 9/6/2013 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Librarybunny. Just read your note above. What stands out is 'haven't felt good since surgery' and 'two incisions that are really RED and painful" . Not a doctor here but you have too much going on. Maybe an infection inside. Think you should call the surgeons office now rather then waiting. Also take your temperature too. Write down all concerns and tell them .When you call, ask to SPEAK to his nurse. They are usually good about returning your call and tell her everything that you said in your note above. We are sorry to hear about your troubles and want you to get better soon. Kindly regards.
Posted 9/6/2013 10:42 AM (GMT 0)
Bunny-

I agree. Call your surgeon!

txman4102-

For some reason I was thinking mine was in inches. I know my 1st surgeon didn't take down enough from my spleen to do a tension free wrap and during my redo the surgeon took a lot more loose. 3cm wrapped around the esophagus just seems very small. That's about 1.5 inches. I can't remember for sure, but I seem to remember something about 7 inches. I'll call my last surgeon and ask, I am due to call for a anti nausea med refill anyway.


I look up some measurements on line and seems the cura is opened about 3cm and the HH repaired to allow the fundus to be wrapped around the esophagus and the fundus length is about 15cm. There is also a short floppy wrap being done that uses about 3 to 4cm of fundus it seems. This is probably what you had. They say it allows for faster recovery and release from the hospital. I am not sure it really gets all the way around and attaches to itself like a hotdog bun the way the original floppy wrap does, but does look to be doing a very good job of controlling reflux. In the last 2 years there have been advancements to the floppy wrap and I am sure there will continue to be so.
This tells me the nissen is still the go to surgery for GERD and has a proven 50+ year track record. since they are continuing to improve it's design. If they were wanting to replace it I wouldn't think they would be making advances to it.
So this means you have a cutting edge versions! Good for you!

This also could be a way to avoid having to do a varying degree of the wrap for people with motility issues, If they don't have to wrap all the way around and attach to itself and just wrapping around the back with a floppy wrap this could mean very good things for patients with motility issues who want this surgery.
Thank you for bringing this information up!

Take care,
Bill devil
Posted 9/6/2013 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
The sickness seems to be more sinusy in nature, I have tons of Zofran though and I am totally prepared to go to the ER if that doesnt work. I am not messing up my wrap!

My boyfriend has the sickness now. I am staying far away from everyone, but they are dropping like flies at work. The last thing I need is to come back and get sick right away.
Posted 9/9/2013 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Exactly one month out as of right now!

I would say I feel pretty good. If I could go back and tell myself anything it would be to start taking Motrin sooner than later and that they could have helped me with the spasms with medication sooner.
I would have also stayed FAR away from oatmeal and dairy because the bloat was intolerable.

My loose floppy enabled me to eat things normally a lot sooner than I expected. I didn't lose any weight at all which is pretty cool, I was already down from being so sick before the surgery it was ok not to lose any more in an unhealthy way.

The only thing that really bothers me is the hiccups when I eat, but they are not nearly as painful as they were a few weeks ago. I hardly take medication for them now. They remind me to eat slower, because I get them when I eat too fast, or when something is too hot or cold.

I also am still having trouble with that incision that everyone complains about. It just feels like a stinging and burning along the bottom of my left lower ribs. Ice helps, motrin helps too and it does get better, but I have been moving around more normally and back to work so I did expect it to get a little ouchy for a few weeks as I get back to real life.

I have not had a single problem with reflux, regurgitation or heartburn. The only time my throat hurts is when I can tell things are kind of irritated or swollen. Being able to feel your wrap is a unique and strange feeling, and I can always tell when I need to baby it a little. My esophagus starts to ache too a little, especially when I accidentally eat too much.

I am hoping that the next four weeks brings even more healing and better feelings for me!
Posted 9/9/2013 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
I'm thankful you have been posting. My Nissen is tomorrow.
Did you take liquid tylenol and motrin? I wonder if I should purchase some.
Posted 9/9/2013 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Yes actually I started taking children's motrin measuring out the amount and taking it was a pain in the butt, but soon I was able to swallow pills at 3 weeks. Now I take pills
Posted 9/11/2013 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
Having a rough week. Had a minor abscess in one incision so I went back to the surgeon yesterday to discuss that and the spasms I keep having along with the nagging burning and irritation along my left bottom rib.

All normal...Do not even need antibiotics. Forgive me on the spelling but he said sometimes the spasms are caused by air in the stomach, areophagea. . . he said. Swallowing air. Its a left over response to always swallowing down reflux and the acid, but now its just air getting trapped in my stomach. Thats why it feels like I have to belch or reflux, but it just sits there and spasms instead. He said he expects these things to continue to get better in the next weeks and months.

its just hard to be at work. I am anxious and sore and tired today, and would love to go home, but I took yesterday off. I know days will be good and bad, but never having surgery like this before I wanted to feel normal three weeks ago and every day that goes by that I am sore, or tired and have trouble moving is making me crazy. Emotionally today is hard along with physically
Posted 9/12/2013 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone had the non-incision niesson? I am considering the surgery but have already had 4 other lap surgeries (hystero, gallbladder, explore, and tubal)and have a lot of scar tissue so doing another lap might be difficult. I read about the non-incision and am curious about the recovery time. I am a cop so staying home for 6-8 weeks will kill me. I will go nuts.
Posted 9/12/2013 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, again for posting your info. I hope you find reason to smile and make the day go a little easier. Hopefully, you are having more good than bad.
Posted 9/12/2013 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Today is a lot better, and I am glad for it.
this might benefit other women like me, men you can skip this or not depending on how comfortable you are talking about Aunt Flo and hormones and what not.

My doctor (gyno) after I had a consult with him prior to my nissen (I was worried about future pregnancy and also taking my Birth Control Pill after the surgery due to swallowing reasons) took me off the pill for a month so i wouldnt have to swallow even the tiniest of pills.

I have been on hormonal birth control for about 15 years never stopping, so my hormones and period got all out of whack which only caused more internal pain and emotional torture than I am used to. I did not realize that it was hormones and not surgical. Thankfully its passing and since I am able to swallow well I am getting right back on BC and never stopping unless necessary. The past few days have been awful, but at least I know why and that it should go away quickly here.
Posted 9/12/2013 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
It's good to know you found the reason for your troubles. Thankfully, I had my uterus removed - so no worries for me. I do have kidney stone disease, but my last CT scan showed all stones are small enough to easily pass on their own. That pain could be easily confused with the wrap issues.
Posted 9/12/2013 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Another woman only issue, BRAS SUCK
I take mine off in the car on the way home from work because I cant STAND them!
Really bothers the left incision on my rib. I even bought the most comfortable ones I could find in a larger size.
Posted 9/13/2013 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
One Month and almost a week since my surgery and I am feeling better. I had a small glass of white wine last night with dinner, that was nice :)

I am still experiencing this feeling in my stomach where its like, I feel like I need to burp, but cant..so everything just squeezes and feels gross. My surgeon said its normal. I am just swallowing too much air. I know that this is because my allergies are so bad lately, I have post nasal drip and my throat hurts and I am swallowing so much air. I just wish it would stop. Other than mild incision pain, that is my biggest gripe. Air, bloating and that burping spasmy stuff going on.

I ate some beef brisket last night. Not too much. It was the first time I have tried something other than ground beef. It was a little tricky, but with small bites, lots of chewing and some warm tea it went down fine. I just feel SO full after eating even just a tiny bit of food. I think I am going to start ordering off the kids menu when I go out now!


Every since my surgery i have been sleeping on the recliner. We have a projector and a really comfy couch set up in our basement and it has been my temporary bedroom too since laying on my back was super uncomfortable. Well, since its getting cooler we have those million legged bugs centipedey things and I saw TWO giant ones. Well I decided finally to sleep upstairs. I slept a little on my left side and mostly on my back and it was finally comfortable. I slept through the night. I did order one of those long curved body pillows on Amazon though, so hopefully I can move back into my bedroom soon, the couch is taking its toll on my hips and back.
Posted 9/16/2013 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Feeling really great today!
I went to Ann Arbor, about an hour from where I live, yesterday with my grandparents for some shopping and dinner. Walked a ton! Had no problem eating dinner at an amazing indian restaurant. My weight is exactly what it was before surgery, no higher or lower, which is ok, and my bloating has been minimal, I have a harder time with it later in the day...Going to the bathroom has been regular for four days now and I am having an easier time sleeping on my side, either side but left is more comfortable than the right. The only thing that I still cant stand is the spasmy burp things that happen in the morning and when I eat, but they are getting better. I have not taken medication for them in days and days

Feeling pretty happy all in all today :)
Posted 9/19/2013 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Checking in again today! Hello all

I thought I was coming down with the flu yesterday. I took a Zofran for the first time in a long time and got scared because I had little tiny burps coming up. My surgeon told me that I am not burping, but it was from trapped air in my esophagus. Does anyone have any thoughts on being able to burp after nissen? I really feel like sometimes a little comes up and because my wrap is loose that worries me occasionally. I probably should not worry, but I am always worried that my surgery wont be successful even if I do not have good reason to feel that way.

In any case, I did not have the flu...I just was feeling so good lately I forgot that my body is still seriously healing and I was sleep deprived. I went to bed at 8:30 and slept solidly in my own bed, not the recliner, all night long. I credit my "Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow" I got from Amazon for that good sleep in my own bed. It keeps you comfortably propped post surgery and supported. I highly recommend it.

I am feeling 80% better today, so much so I have finally made it through a whole day at work without feeling like I am going to crash and drool all over my desk. Who knew sitting all day was so tiring? I do try to get up and walk around as much as I can.

I still have not tried crisp cooked vegetables, salad or steak yet. I am also obsessed with this bagel place around the corner from my work and really want to eat there, but I feel like a bagel would be way too much for me even though I can eat bread fairly well. I am also still learning what bloats me and what doesn't. I am thinking about going gluten free again to see if that helps. My mom is celiac, and although my biopsy came back negative during my upper GI, I still sometimes feel like I have some symptoms of gluten intolerance and my gassyness might improve with a change in diet.

This friday will be my 6 week mark and I cant wait to start gently working out again. I feel so weak and flabby and tired, I really need to get my strength back.
Posted 9/19/2013 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, sounds like you are doing really well. It gives me hope for my recovery.

I sometimes can do a tiny burp if I feel like I wanna do a ripper, feels weird though, almost like indigestion. But at least I know the wrap is working as like you I have had a floppy wrap and fluids and soft foods go down fairly easy. The day after surgery I was eating mash potato withe no problems.

Thanks for the pillow tip, I have the most uncomfortable bed and gives me a back ache at the best of times so anything that supports the back in bed and gives a comfortable sleep is something I'd be interested in buying, will check if Amazon UK sells it. Shame I couldn't take my hospital bed with its remote control recliner home with me.

Bread also bloats me so wont miss eating that for a while, had some porridge today and think that might have bloated me but I have a swollen stomach so I look bloated anyway. I'm gonna just try fruit and veg smoothies for a couple of weeks and see how I go on that. Will swap dairy milk for almond milk and I'm also gonna try a more alkaline diet as I hoping that will help my diabetes. I have lost half a stone in two days so don't know how u managed to stay at the same weight. I get full very quick. Only on day 3 post op so very early days for me.
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