Laurie's Nissen Journey Begins on 9/10/2013

3 weeks post op:

Improvement continues, though not as fast as I'd like - that is just me being impatient, though. I still find bending over for any length of time causes me discomfort for hours after. That means shaving my legs, things like that - are still going to have to be limited. I'd really like to get out and do some gardening, but it's going to have to wait. I'm slowly, slowly increasing my activity level. Although the surgeon said I can start pilates, which is a lot of ab work, I'm not ready physically. It's just like the bending over problems. Instead, I'm lengthening my walking for now.

I have not required senna for a few days now. Since I'm eating bulkier foods, it seems to help. I had chicken breast, green beans and risotto for dinner last night - no problems as long as my bites were small and I chewed them enough.

I have to go for a sleep study tomorrow night. I have a feeling that the sleep apnea was partly the cause of my inhaling the stomach acid. When I stop breathing, I wake up choking and sucking in whatever happens to be in my throat. So, maybe getting the sleep apnea dealt with will also help in the long run.

I felt a HUGE difference between weeks 3 and 4, just wait until you hit week 5. That is when I started to feel totally normal.
I shampooed my carpets and my couch and dining room chairs last night, all bent over, after eating. It was like a miracle I tell you!

Take it easy! Just know that in time it will come back to you. I had the most trouble with trying to take it slow and gentle. It just gets old after awhile of being so careful with yourself, but you will save so much pain if you just leave those legs hairy for another week. lol

One month post-op -

Since I did not have typical GERD symptoms, it is difficult to say if the surgery has worked. I do have less nausea and stomach aches. I hear others mention problems going off PPI's. I took prescription strength since they came on the market many, many years ago. I quit cold turkey the day before my surgery. I did not notice any issues at all with that.

I bought some DGL licorice tablets to help with any stomach upset. I think they cause more gas, so I quit using them. It's the 'ol' ending sweeteners that do it.

Other than bread and fresh vegetables and gas causing foods, I'm eating most things. It's still a slow process that takes constant reminding if I am eating with others. I really miss being able to eat fresh vegetables, especially salads. I don't like the bloat and gas pain, so I've avoided them so far. I hope the day comes that I can enjoy them, again. Eating out is difficult - 1st of all there is too much food served, 2nd is it takes me so much longer than others. I've avoided this social situation several times. It will get better.

The most bothersome part for me is the bloating, gas build-up a little while after eating and taking pills. I don't know if I am swallowing too much air, or what. The foods I am eating are not known to cause gas. I'm trying to slow down the eating and pay attention. Maybe I should go back to applesauce to swallow pills with instead of water to avoid the extra air I swallow.

Bending over for any length of time is still bothersome, but slowly improving.

I still have to clear my throat and hack up the mucus that builds there daily. My voice is still messed up - I wonder if it ever be normal again. I wonder if the acid permanently damaged my vocal cords. I know the throat clearing will get better, my pulmonologist says it will. I saw him yesterday. I had mucus in my lungs that he could easily hear, then coughed and brought it up. He states it will take 3 - 6 months, so I'm on my way. He reminded me that I will see him in 6 months for re-visit the situation.

I also received sleep apnea results. It's moderate, questionable if a cpap would help. He said I should continue without it, as the machine and mask may make it worse, rather than better - getting used to it. I think when my brain wakes me during the apnea, that is when I choke and inhale the stuff in my throat. As my esophagus figures out it's not being attacked by acid anymore, it will eventually stop creating the mucus protective barrier. So, I got that going for me. :)

The bowels are not yet back to normal. I still need assistance with senna/colace combo once or twice a week. I will purchase a fiber supplement next time I'm out. I am not getting anywhere near enough fiber in the foods I eat. That was never a problem prior to surgery.

I am slowly starting back to Pilates. I have my own equipment, so easy to do at my own pace. I still need my rescue inhaler before exercise that causes exertion. I've been hiking about a mile a day on a slightly hilly trail through a prairie. I enjoy it - glad to be able to do it now.

Thanks Stephanie! I look forward to your updates as well. :)

I went to a great local market in search of some healthier foods yesterday, after my doctor appointment. He had said if I could lose another 10 pounds, my lungs would benefit, as well as the sleep apnea. Well, eating the way I do following surgery isn't gonna help me lose weight. So, I bought some chia seed - to start adding to foods. It seems to have many health benefits, including a good source of calcium, which I really need, as well as filling fiber. I've used ground flax seed for years, but quit just before surgery. I will add chia to my smoothie this afternoon. I make my smoothies with plain greek yogurt, Trader Joes protein powder, frozen fruit (or Dole fruit cocktail) and a little milk. The kale and spinach sound like great additions. I'll pick some up next time.

I've heard of other low carbers (my way of eating, typically) making chia pudding. I'll have to look into that, too.

I bought a zuchinni and a yellow squash from the produce market yesterday as well. I'll saute some and make 'pancakes' (grated squash, potato, egg, seasoning - formed into patties and sauteed until golden brown and crispy) with some. I'm getting tired of canned green beans, that's for sure. I had some canned spinach yesterday, it was a good change. I'm making stuffed green peppers for dinner tonight, I hope the cooked bell pepper does not bother me too much - I'll take it easy with my serving.

I breathe through my nose, as long as it's clear. It's been pretty clear since surgery. I do take Zyrtec twice a day per doctor's orders - the bottle says once a day. I also use Flonase daily, as well as advair, singlulair and pro-air inhaler. Anyway, I think any upper respiratory allergy related and/or acid reflux related stuff is under control. It's all from the back of the throat down that needs time to normalize.

Hello Laurie and Stephine :)
I have a few question for ppl ahead of me...trying to find tony and bill w lil luck --any help? Also I tried swallowing my pills it wasn't terrible I managing to get down 6 bit the big ones I crushed--how long was it until y'all took pills rather then crushing? Also I'm at 4 wks doing ok -- what kids of foods r u guys eating -- I need ideas :) Ty so much I'll read ur new post 2 new and Ty u guys r great

Hi Laurie,
Glad to hear you are doing pretty good! I found that eating spinach, arugula and more soft greens are easier for me than iceberg and romaine. They are easier on the stomach and don't cause as much gas for me.
Im still scared of carbonation, although I did have a sip of my boyfriends awesome pumpkin ale over the weekend. I swished it around in my mouth to get some of the fizz out. :) I miss beer so much, dont you?

Do you still get mucus in your throat? My wrap and surgery sites have been pretty irritated lately and I dont know if it is my cold, or healing or what, but I feel like I have a lot of throat mucus lately.
Its nice to be able to compare things with you since we are so close together in our healing!

Man sorry to hear about that clunky immune system you have.
My sinus infection really set me back. Made everything swell up and I still have all that mucus in my throat, which was still healing from being so damaged pre-surgery. The antibiotics dont help either because they irritate my stomach and have killed off all the good gut bacteria I replaced after my surgery and the antibiotics for that, so that has made me gassy and just feel gross.
I have not tried any substantial amount of carbonated anything.... I was going to give it at least 6 months because the bloat hurts and when i get too much pressure in my stomach it gives me spasms which throw me into panic.

Make sure you read about the CPAP and how it can give you areophagea (air in your stomach) if the pressure is turned up too high. I read a study about it a little bit ago and I think it would be a not so great thing to have happen if you have had a nissen.

I really feel like for the last few days, because of my swelling, every time I eat a little more than I should it throws me into a panic attack, I start to freak out that I am going to ruin my wrap, or I am going to start refluxing my food. Its so weird. Like full on panic attack.
My boyfriend was wondering if it had anything to do with the vagus nerve and how that might be irritated and that might be causing it. I don't know that much about the vagus nerve though.

Laurie, glad to see that you are doing so well. Amazing news. I am happy you got to try that beer.
Can we talk gross for a bit about your burps?
I just called the surgeon again because I have been burping quite a lot in the last few days and along with the pain I am having it doesn't seem normal.

Are you able to tell the difference between air in your esophagus and actually burping from your stomach?
Do you only burp right when you drink, or do you have burps during the day.

Since I have been having this pain, I have been irrationally convinced I broke my wrap with that sneezing coughing fit and I get a panic attack ( real panic attack) whenever I burp because my surgeon said I would NOT be able to do a burp.

I did accupuncture and hated it, it was too new agey for me, although, the ones they do in the ears and face do help with migraines for some reason.
My lady also forgot about me in her room resting on the bed for three hours covered in needles, even in my feet preventing me from moving. I had to call for help.
I never went back after that.

That is what I dont understand, is that he doesn't believe that I can, and I can. Its horrible, I wish he would just recognize that and I wouldn't have such a disconnect.
I can make myself burp, sometimes as well. They are small and seem reflux free though.

I want to be able to enjoy burping, it helps with the bloat, but it just terrifies me now. I need to try to get over that.

I am just going through another rough patch in my recovery. I am sure that soon here I will be back to feeling great and much more calm. I just need a little attention from my surgeon instead of getting the runaround whenever I call.

Your experience is promising! I look forward to getting there too. :)

Do you chew the raw veggies like crazy? Like chew for a really long time?

Anymore salad???
How are your incision feeling? You doing well?
I just keep feeling like I am going more and more downhill. Things are starting to get stuck again. This is the third time in a week.
Im worried.

You seem to be doing really well though! I am so happy for you.