3 Months Post Nissen

Hello. I had my wrap done three months ago today. Recovery has been difficult, and I regret having the surgery. The Nissen was my third surgery in a year (following a hernia repair and a deviated septum), and I'm tired of tests and doctors. I have found very little information about recovery, except for this site. Thank you all for posting your experiences.

Since the surgery I have had constant diarrhea and nausea. I am currently unemployed, which I hate, but I can't even look for a job because I spend so much of my day in the bathroom. I've tried eating different foods - everything goes down okay - but I still have bad nausea. I can "feel" the acid in my stomach, but the surgery was successful in preventing it from traveling up my esophagus.

I'm 50 years old. I feel sickly and depressed. Has anyone experienced this kind of diarrhea and nausea in your recovery?

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.   Glad you've found our online community. It’s a great place to connect with others traveling the same road...you'll find much support, encouragement and advice from others who understand. Has anyone ever mentioned dumping syndrome to you? Dumping syndrome is a collection of gastrointestinal and other symptoms that occur after a person eats. Food and juices moving in a quick and unregulated manner from your stomach into the intestines causes dumping syndrome. The symptoms include nausea and severe diarrhea. You may want to talk to your Dr. re dumping syndrome. Here is a link you may find helpful. Anti-dumping Diet   http://uvahealth.com/services/digestive-health-1/images-and-docs/dumping-syndrome.pdf/view            

Hi Holden,

Welcome to the Healing Well Wrap Club! As Kitt said, dumping is a common problem during recovery from any stomach surgery.  It's not a permanent problem, but can definitely be a surgical side effect.  Please take a look at the anti-dumping diet, as it may help you get it under better control.

I don't know if your surgeon prepared you properly for this recovery, but as you can see it is challenging.  I've actually heard people here report that their surgeons told them they'd be back to normal in a couple weeks!  Yikes!  No wonder people get worried and upset with normal recovery symptoms.

You are at the three month mark in a recovery that takes six months for most of the healing and a year for the rest.  I even found improvements into the second year.  Be sure that you are taking small bites and chew your food until it is a liquid/creamy consistency. 

If you're experiencing nausea, why not go back on your PPI or at least Zantac.  Your stomach lining is irritated if it's nauseous, and you said you feel acid in there.  Why not protect your stomach with acid reducers. 

You might also ask your GI or PCP for a prescription of Carafate suspension.  It coats the wrap and stomach and helps protect the stomach lining further.  I have a reactive stomach, and when it gets flaring up, Carafate is very helpful. 

Glad you've joined the forum!  Hang in there...it gets better!

Take care,

Denise