Help! one month post op (Nissen Fundoplication)- need some advice?!

Hi Jeanne,

I'm sure your surgeon told you that dumping syndrome is a fairly common side-effect of the Nissen surgery.  Don't worry, though.  It won't last forever.  It's a reaction to the trauma the stomach has been through...your hernia was repaired, and your stomach was stretched and wrapped and stitched.  I'd complain, too!

How about that loud gurgling that tips you off its coming?  It's so loud that when I was out people would think I was starving and offer me food!

I can tell you this.  As your recovery progresses it will gradually become less and less frequent.  I was still getting it very occasionally at one year post op, and I figured it would be a quirk I'd always have to deal with.  However at some point during the second year I suddenly realized it wasn't happening any more.  I'm dumping free.

So don't despair.  It'll get better!

Very best wishes,

Denise

Hi Carolyn,

Its good to hear you're doing so well after the op! It's also good to hear that theres a light at the end of this (seemingly endless) tunnel!

The food situation in the last two weeks has seriously improved and i can now eat soft foods! Still on the ensure drinks to keep me going as my portion sizes are tiny, but ican cope with that!

My stomach keeps going into spasm. I'm on buscopan which helps, but if i forget to take one i soon know about it! Surgeon doesnt seem too worried though and i hope it just gradually fades.

My main problem however is that on top of these spasms i keep having this severe gripping pain in my stomach at various points throghout the day. It is different to the spasms and completely unrelated to food, but it is quite intense and can last for about an hour. I spoke to my surgeon but he didn't really seem to know what was causing it or what i could do to help it!

Have you, or has anyone else on this forum experienced anything like this?!?

I could really do with some advice from someone who knows what to do!

Mel

Hi Mel,

Sorry to hear you're getting stomach cramping.  Your poor stomach has been through a lot, so I guess you'll have to give it some slack for a while.  Bad stomach!  Bad stomach!

As Carolyn said, Gas-X might be worth a try.  Can you burp?  If you can burp even a little it's worth trying.  I've found that even now, 3 years post-op, I have to remember when I get a stomach ache, it's likely gas build-up and I take a Gas-X to relieve it.

Another member here, Cindy 123, has found that eating small snacks throughout the day (every 2-3 hours) help her avoid that gas build up.  You might try that as well, if you haven't already.

There are many quirky things that we experience during recovery, and that's why the 6 month for most healing and a full year for the rest mantra is repeated often.  It takes time for your body to adjust to the changes that have been made in your GI tract.  Hang in there...it gets better.

Best wishes,

Denise

 

Hi Robby,

You definitely shouldn't be having heartburn, having to take PPI's, or even be able to burp (at least from my experience) only 5 weeks after surgery. Typically when that happens it means the surgeon didn't do the wrap tight enough which will eventually put you right back where you started. The only similar issues I had at week 5 was intense pressure from all of the air/built up gas pressure in my stomach and I definitely was not able to burp for about a year. I personally didn't have the TIFF procedure but had the laproscopic Nissen done which is more invasive. I'm not familiar with the side effects of the TIFF procedure and how they differ from Nissen since TIFF is relatively new. It couldn't hurt to try soft foods again but physically at this point you shouldn't be able to burp nor should acid be able to go into your esophagus, again which relates to the wrap not being tight enough. Like I said though that's from the Nissen perspective.

Has anyone else on here had the TIFF procedure that could give Robby some feedback??

Sorry to hear you're having problems so soon!! I hope your Dr is able to resolve it!

Carolyn

Hi Robby,
I had Nissen surgery, not a TIFF, but I can say from my own experience as well as working here on the forum for three years, it's not all that uncommon to get some reflux symptoms during the early weeks and months of healing. It's a good idea to take your PPIs for a while, to allow you some relief while you heal.

I think that it is very likely a reaction to your more challenging diet. Your idea of backing off again for while is a good one.

While it seems like you've been healing a long time, you're still in the early stages of healing. It takes 6 months for most of the healing and a full year for the rest. (Even with the less-invasive procedure there are still major changes to your upper Gi tract, and internal healing work to do.) That's the thing about non-invasive surgery, be it laproscopic Nissen or TIFF. Our outsides are no indication of what is happening on the inside.

I also could burp after my surgery. I guess I should modify that statement--my stomach burped itself. Being able to burp is very lucky...you and I have avoided the painful bloating that occurs when burping doesn't happen.

Hang in there, and don't panic. A little heartburn during recovery is common. If you're tasting acid, then you can be sure it's heartburn. Keep in mind that the esophagus is a dumb organ and interprets all surgical pain as heartburn. It's possible that swallowing more solid foods can challenge your esophagus and wrap, and can even cause some pain that feels like heartburn but isn't.

Also, food can be held up at the wrap site, and even ferment and become irritating. I remember burping and having liquid mixed with some food and having it move all the way up the esophagus and into my mouth! The force of the burp popped it right up--yet, it was not reflux, and wasn't a bit acidic.

Just give yourself some time...it'll get better!

Very best wishes!
Denise

Hi Robbie,

Thanks for the information about how the TIFF reinforces the LES.  Glad your diet change has helped the symptoms.  I don't think surgeons really prepare their patients for the recovery. The're either trying not to scare us off, or just don't know, since they haven't experienced it themselves and don't follow their patients all that long after surgery.

Happy healing!

Denise

hi all, Bob here just 3 weeks post op NF. up late with pain , cant sleep on my sides which is my usual. nausea kicking in . bloating , gas, dumping, yup all the good stuff... cant take pain meds , make me sick. felt horrible on liquid diet , advanced too quickly on softs now in pain , but hungry every 2 hours like my blood sugar is too low with sweats , lightheadedness etc. went back to work after 1 week , im an ARNP. ( work culture of no sick time) geeze.... typical . thanks in advance for support . it's hard being a whiney patient when I hear complaints all day for a living. ;).... i sense the common thread here is be patient and go with the fow.....

thanks Denise! Luckily I have access to anti nausea meds, which is helping alot... I'd been putting off this procedure for years (20), because I was well aware of possible sequelae, but had to move forward for 3 big reasons 1- I was getting aspiration in my sleep, and i know someone who actually is now deceased due to extreme aspiration in the sleep. ( worst pain of my life)...2- I was maxed out on Nexium and Pepcid together and still had sx, 3- I had a hiatal hernia as well. I was waiting until I could wait no longer with any quality of life... risk of Barrett's esophagus and asphyxiation too high... Searched for a Dr that does several a week... hard to find in ME and NH... and then started all the required testing including esophageal manometry, which was alot of fun...;). I talked to alot of gasto guys and being in healthcare myself found a certain DR's patients had alot less problems.... she was MY surgeon. She did a loose wrap, which allowed things to go thru more easily, thus my rush to get to real foods and now my set back, I was also just not prepared for the length of the recovery.... not mad, just obvious the Dr. has never had this done to her.... ( back to work in a week was nutz!). any ways... I appreciate and can feel the experience in your written voice, thanks... will post on main board and intro.

anyone have decaf coffee before the 8 weeks after the NF?

Hi All,

I am 4 weeks post-op.  Some trouble swallowing, and minimal to no pain from the incision sites.  However, I extreme nausea and pain in my upper mid-back often.  Happens if I eat too much, which is a miniscule amount (maybe half a cup) or drink45 heavier liquids.  Also happens periodically without eating.  It becomes overwhelming if I stand up, walk or sit up and the only relief comes with laying down for a while.  This happens daily, and I am scheduled to return to work next week.  Does going on a liquid diet help with this?  The doctor did give me nausea meds, but I haven't tried them yet.  Any feedback is appreciated.

This thread is over a year old folks. I am going to lock it, but please feel free to start a new one.


Bill