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Ian Victor's Nissen recovery

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Posted 9/6/2013 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
txman4102

Ground meat should be okay in about another 4 or 5 days but take very small bites and go slow. I wish the swelling thing happened less than it does, but it seems to sneak up on people even though they are starting to feel much better. Kind of your bodies way of reminding you that you did have major surgery even though the incisions are starting to heal very well.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/6/2013 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
Bill,

You are absolutely correct! My incisions now looks like minor scratches. Most of the glue came off yesterday and I think in about another 2 weeks you would not be able tell if I had surgery.

The peak swelling I seem to be experiencing came all of a sudden. I kept waking up last night for no apparrant reason and then when I got out of bed this morning, I felt like someone punched me in the chest. Maybe the wrap is just irriatated because I am not having any problem swallowing. Oh well, if it gets too bad I have plenty of Ensure, Boost, and Carnation Instant Breakfast drink to last a week or so. Thanks again for all the advice and input.
Posted 9/6/2013 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Txman-- Yes, each new food that you are able to eat is a dietary victory. Denise was right in warning me about eating too much. Are you still taking pain meds? I wondering if you might sleep more comfortably if you take some meds at night-- at least until the peak swelling subsides? Do you know long before a patient is allowed to try steak, breads etc.. I would imagine that probably doesn't occur until several months after the surgery-- probably 3 or more months?
Posted 9/6/2013 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Taxman

I'm two weeks post op today and I was awake most of the night with bloated stomach.
Today I've only managed two quarter cups of veg and mash blended with gravy the second cup backed up in my throat I'm sure it's swelling I can even feel the water go down toay,I've been tired alday today so I think the swelling has caught up with me
Ian
I was told 3 months for meat and my sureon wanted me to stay away from bread.i see him on the 12th so see what he says.
I'm glad yor beginning o feel better hope every day is positive to you

Ali
Posted 9/7/2013 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
I have definitely turned the corner. I feel really good today. Pain is minimal and swallowing has really improved. I took a long walk this afternoon. I'm making sure to pace myself with the eating. I did make one mistake-- I gulped down some liquid right after returning from my walk. Big mistake. That juice backed right up the esophagus and I choked on it-- lesson learned. I'm still taking Tramadol at night, but will switch to Tylenol tomorrow night. I don't take anything other than Tylenol during the day and even then I'm able to space out the dosages over time. I wouldn't make a good addict. I hate how I feel on Narcotics. The Tramadol helps the pain, but I get no high or great feeling when I'm taking it. I'll be glad to be rid of it.

I'm realistic. I know that I haven't reached peak swelling yet. I'm going to take it slowly when eating food and will monitor my portions.

Thanks for all the feedback. Glad to here that the rest of you are doing well with your recoveries. Several of us here had our surgeries within a week of each other, so we kind of know what to expect. Keep me posted on your progress.
Posted 9/8/2013 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Last night I slept without Tramadol. I did so without any difficulty. I'm still inclined to take an afternoon nap-- I'd prefer not taking the nap, but maybe my body is telling me to rest. I had more mashed potatoes. I think that my brain did a much better job telling my stomach that it is now full. My doctor's appointment is actually on Tuesday- not Monday as I had originally thought. Overall I feel good. My incision scars are still sore to the touch. The steri-strips have yet to fall off, but I'm told to just leave them alone, so I will. I am going crazy watching my family eat foods that are on my prohibited list. I can wait a couple months-- in time for the holidays.

I have had gas a and bloating throughout this process. It's tolerable, so I haven't really mentioned it until now. I just assume that those symptoms are part of the recovery.

Hope the rest of you are doing well!

Ian
Posted 9/10/2013 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Just had my first follow-up with the surgeon. I'm cleared to move on to soft foods. I lost about 6 lbs. I told him that my throat is still a little sore and that my right ear feels pressured. He states that this is a common after-effect from intubation. He didn't look in my ear and said that he doesn't check ears and hasn't done so since medical school. I think that I may be at peak swelling. I definitely notice tightness when I swallow liquids or food. I am looking forward to eating mac and cheese tonight. Feeling better.
Posted 9/10/2013 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian,

That's great to hear!  Don't forget to take very small bites and chew whatever you're eating until it basically disappears in your mouth (becomes "liquid") before swallowing.  If you like tea, it's a good way to coax things through the swollen wrap...any warm beverage will do.

Happy eating!

Denise

Posted 9/10/2013 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Ian
I'm glad you have turned a corner.
I have my follow up appointment on Thursday 3 weeks post op
I still have blended food and mashed food.
Went back to work Monday it's really knocked it out of me,I'm only doing paperwork but I'm so tired .
Hope everyday is better than the day before
Good luck
Ali
Posted 9/10/2013 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Ali-- At present, I work from home. I imagined what it would be like if I were teaching on campus and had returned on Monday. I can understand why you feel tired. I'm sure we'll both be on the sluggish side for a while longer. I am glad that you're also progressing.

I really do miss my favorite junk foods. I love my carbonated beverages. I'm craving Sprite-- my comfort drink. I have been able to burp from the day after surgery. Maybe in another month my doctor will permit carbonated drinks.
Posted 9/11/2013 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
I miss BEER!
Thinking of you and your recovery.
Seems like it takes forever. everyday I wake up thinking, is this OVER yet! and its not. like denise says, surrender to recovery, its a marathon.

Good things are ahead!
Posted 9/11/2013 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
I had my mac and cheese last night-- delicious! I had some minor challenges. Not used to chewing so thoroughly. I have to completely change my eating habits. I was always the first in the family to finish dinner. I could suck down a plate of food in no time at all. Because my sphincter was so weak and the addition of a hiatal hernia, I rarely had to chew anything. That has now all changed. I'll get the hang of it.
Posted 9/12/2013 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian
Glad your doing well,I had my follow up today I have been discharged ,he told me to try add some more protein as I've lost 11lb,
I feel great just get tired in the afternoon at work
He said unless I get. Problem I don't need to go back,he said go steady with eating be careful with bread ,I haven't and won't try for a while,still no wavy lifting and just take it slow,
Not bad for 3 weeks pst op tomorrow
Ali
Posted 9/12/2013 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Ali-- My doctor also cautioned me against bread. Did your doctor say how long you would have to wait until you can eat bread? I imagine something like "pizza" would be the last thing on the list of post Nissen foods. My next MD appointment is in one month. I am also staying away from pure chocolate e.g. Hershey bars, Kisses etc... Again, I'm not sure how long before I will be permitted to eat chocolate.
Posted 9/12/2013 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Ian, I'm now following your progress, too. I had my wrap done on Tuesday, home yesterday, now learning from all of you. This is such a great resource, so much better than the info my surgeon provided.

Did anyone experience a lot of bloat the 3rd day? I'm having trouble controlling the pain from it. It's around my middle, more focused in the kidney area of my back. I have taken the pain med loratab 7.5, 325 (hydrocodone/tylenol), but it's not working. I also have taken (2) gasx tabs in the past 2 hours, not much help. Any suggestions?
Posted 9/12/2013 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
lajenner-- Yes, I had horrible bloating. It will go away after awhile. You're going to feel post surgery pain for a good week to 10 days. Each day you will notice improvement. Some of the pain may just be surgery pain and not necessarily bloating pain-- so anti-gas meds will do little for the pain. Give it a few days and you should feel better. Post surgery pain hurts-- but it's temporary.
Posted 9/13/2013 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ian, temporary is a good thing. Considering I've been sick for 8 months, I can handle temporary. I have to learn a little patience.
Posted 9/14/2013 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Ian

When I left the clinic he told me to stay away from bread,
At my appointment he said just be really careful if you have to eat it its best in toast ,he said wait at least 3 months and chew chew chew,
I don't think I will bother with bread it bloats me out the best of times,
I'm more hungry now as the days go on but everyday I do a bit more
Hope your doing ok
Ali
Posted 9/15/2013 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Ali-- Thanks for the reply. I can wait three months and I do like toast. Right now, I can't even imagine bread making it through my wrap. Three months sounds about right-- just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Posted 9/15/2013 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
Ian and Ali,

I am very happy to read that both of you are progressing well. I had my surgery on Aug 20 and I still get tired at the end of the day. Other than being tired, my incisions have hardened and are a little sore to the touch. My diet has returned to normal. I can eat bread with no problem, I just make sure I am eating it with some type of liquid. My surgeon said that I could try steak or carbonated drinks at the six week point, but I am not sure I am ready for that. I am also staying away from fresh fruit and vegatables.

Since I still cannot burp or hiccup, I do not see any reason to try anything carbonated. I think the carbonation would just bloat me more than I already am.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Rob

Posted 9/15/2013 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Rob-- I was able to burp almost immediately after the surgery-- nothing like the big burps I used to have, but small ones. I imagine that eventually you will be able to burp. You still have months of healing ahead of you. My diet is still quite restricted. I'm pretty sure that I've hit peak swelling. I notice a difference in tightness, especially when I drink liquids. Glad things are moving along for you.
Posted 9/15/2013 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Ian - what day are you post op?
I enjoyed some crackers today with my soup. I just took small bites and chewed thoroughly. It would be easy to get distracted and forget what I'm doing and attempt to take a bite and swallow my pre-op way.

I burped in the recovery room, no problems with that - THANKFULLY.
Posted 9/15/2013 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi rob
I'm 3 days behind you.
I went ack to work after two weeks I'm so tired at the end of the day.
I haven't tried bread don't drink fizzy drink anyway.
I've tried chicken but I imagine what I felt is what it feels like if you get a blockage in a Jose pipe lol won't be doing that again
I can chew and swallow most things I've eaten a apple but peeled off the skin.
My incisions are hard to one is still so bruised.
Not really in any pain everyday I feel a bit better.
I can burp also from day one.
Take are
Ali
Posted 9/16/2013 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
lajenner- I'm at day 18 post-op. Tomorrow, I'm going try ground beef and rice. I had eggs last night and did well. I'm able to eat cold cereal in the morning. I let the cereal sit in milk for a short while and then eat it. I love my carbonated beverages but I am determined to follow my diet until I'm permitted to drink Sprite.
Posted 9/16/2013 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Of late I have been having some big cravings. I really want a Milky Way bar. I know-- it'll probably never make it through the wrap, but one can dream. How many others out there suffer from post-Nissen cravings?
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