How can you tell if Nissen is too loose?

Before I even start writing about my concerns I want to say that I am probably just freaking myself out over nothing and I need to calm down. So if you feel like that is what is going on, feel free to tell me :)

My Nissen fundo was 7 weeks ago for those not familiar with my story. I was excited initially because I had very few problems eating solid food after the 3 week mark and now I have little to no problems eating meat and bread even, although I will say I am careful with how much I chew and how big my bites are.

I am able to burp, I cant if I try, but they are but it started with being able to after drinking liquids, now little burps will slip out even when I have not drank anything. This is great for the bloating which has really decreased, in part because I have changed my diet and I think I am swallowing less air post surgery.

I can not get it out of my head though that I shouldn't be able to eat so easily and burp this soon after surgery. I know it is natural to worry that I went through all this and its going to fail, I mean, with all my health problems I am a bit of a pessimist, but should I get tested just in case or should I give it more time?

The reason I worry is because I had silent reflux, I did not realize that for years my regurgitation was damaging my esophagus because I did not experience any typical heartburn pain. It was only after years that my larynx burnt up with stomach acid so much I got a sore throat and subsequent tests found I was refluxing constantly all day long and needed surgery to fix it. I am just worried that I wont be able to feel it if I am refluxing. (I also now have allergies and post nasal drip and dry air are making my throat sore freaking me out even more)

I have an appointment with my Gastro in two weeks. I will obviously talk with them about it, as well as my surgeron, but I guess in the mean time I just need a little reassurance or honesty if I am stressed out and don't need to be. Should I ask for another PH test or barium swallow?

When I had my followup with my surgeon, he told me that I was not actually burping, but it was gas trapped in my esophagus. That made sense, because it would happen when I would drink, but this morning I did have anything to drink and I had to small belches that I could tell actually game from my stomach.

I think I will ask for the PH test, as much as I dont want to have to do it again, I think I might drive myself crazy with the what-ifs.

I just worry I will have to do this all over again and then maybe end up with a wrap that is too tight...

I can't find my paperwork from my test, I think it is at home somewhere, but I had something like 49 acid reflux occurances and 44 non acid reflux occurrances during the day with the longest lasting something like 128 minutes. I only had 1 reflux episode at night, so most of it was during the day. I used to be able to feel my stomach squeeze the reflux up before the surgery, and my stomach still does that squeezy spasm thing, but my wrap seems to stop it and as time goes on, it is doing it less and less.

I honestly think that my wrap is working...I am just worried that as time goes on it will loosen up more and more.

Do you think a barium swallow would be more appropriate right now than a PH test?

Hey there lajenner, I was hoping you would chime in.

I had a loose floppy, so my surgeon did use a bougie and I had perfect esophageal and stomach motility too. My hernia was really small as well, but it was enough to cause horrible reflux.

I also used ibuprofen round the clock and I think my swelling went down really fast because of that.
I stopped taking it though recently because I don't need it anymore. My peak swelling was at week 2, week three was a LOT better for me. I can still feel things moving past my wrap when I eat, especially crackers and bread and stuff like that.

I just have a lot of anxiety today over this for some reason. Maybe it is something as silly as being at the end of my swelling now and things being normal?
Its hard to know what normal is after this kind of surgery?!

Well, it makes me feel more normal that you feel the same way as me. Perhaps our wrap is just different enough that it makes us feel abnormal when we read about everyone elses experiences.
I am curious about how you will feel when you are a month out. I know I felt totally different at 4-5 weeks.
different in a good way, aside from the anxiety that my wrap is too loose. :)

Thanks Albez. I bet you did have the floppy. I think they like to do that with those who have good motility.

I remember in the beginning, the one thing that really was difficult for me was applesauce and thick pureed foods. I had less difficulty with firmer things like chicken chunks. I think that might be because my esophagus had an easier time moving it past my wrap.

I have been following your progress . I am glad that you are feeling the positive results of the surgery now. There were times I wondered why the heck I did this to myself, but now I feel like I made the right decision (aside from some irrational anxiety over how loose my wrap is today)

I just keep repeating myself today "its ok to burp, its ok to burp" ha!

Thanks TonyG, you are a good voice of reason.
I will try to keep my cool until Oct. 8th when I can talk to my gastro.

Thanks for checking in on me Ian. I obviously am working through some health anxiety issues and even when I know I am jumping the gun and not being rational my fears kind of take over and control me. I took a Xanax and I am hoping tomorrow it will stop.

My surgeon told me exactly what yours did and I trust him and it's good to be reassured on here when I am in a panic. Thank you for that.

I also did call my surgeon today because I felt like if it was important enough to me to post on here about it and I really should be talking to them too. The nurse was nice and said she felt like I was probably lucky to be able to eat so freely and release air from my stomach but she would let the surgeon know I was worried and they will call me by next Tuesday.

Thanks everyone for letting me panic a bit in a safe place but I will let you know what my surgeon says when he calls.

Thank you Bill, You are right.
I was just having some overwhelming anxiety yesterday about my surgery and healing and today I am feeling better about it.
I feel so stupid being worked up about having "good" side effects. I think I just needed some reassurance that I am ok, here and from my doctor. Like I said today I am feeling better, but maybe one day someone else will be feeling the way I feel about their loose floppy and this thread can reassure them as well.

Thank you all for talking things over with me.

SJ-- I can appreciate your anxiety. I have had all kinds of pre- and post-surgery concerns and worries. I just keep coming back to this forum for a reality check and support. I can burp a little, but nothing like before my surgery. This is important to me because I'm still awaiting the go ahead to drink carbonated drinks.