Noob-3 months post nissen

Welcome to the Wrapped Club! Try not to panic and assume the worst.  I've been participating in this forum for close to four years, and I can tell you that at about the two to three month mark we get lots of panicked "wrappers" who suddenly have pain and reflux feelings.

At about your point in recovery (which, by the way is just 3 months into a recovery that takes 6 months for most of the healing and a year for the rest) many people begin to challenge their wrap with more difficult foods.  They also tend to forget to chew, chew, chew their food until it is a liquid/creamy consistency. 

Once wrapped (and especially during the recovery) you will always need to eat more slowly, and chew your food thoroughly.  There has been an unnatural barrier placed between the esophagus and the stomach, and if you don't chew your food enough, it will irritate the wrap and esophagus, causing a feeling of reflux. 

I don't know if your surgeon told you, but the esophagus is a "dumb organ" that interprets all pain as reflux.  If you've got food scratching its way through the wrap and even getting held back at the base of the esophagus, you'll have irritation, which will end up feeling like reflux.

Bill, another moderator here, reminds us that this recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.  It's a bit of a roller coaster, with ups and downs along the way.  Try to remember that you've had major surgery and your upper GI tract has been revised significantly.  It will take time to heal and for your system to adjust to the changes.

If you had an irritation or symptom that was a problem pre-Nissen, it will take time for that healing to take place.  I know it's scary when you have symptoms that make you worry that the surgery isn't doing the job it was intended to do.  It's a natural worry, and to be expected.  I don't think there are many who go through this surgery without having moments of doubt and worry. 

Try not to panic.  This too, will pass.  If you can surrender to the recovery and accept that your body will take its own sweet time to heal, you'll find it all much easier.  Hang in there, and go with the flow!

Happy healing,

Denise

It sounds like you're getting spasms if they're that painful.  I think it is a very good idea to see your GI doc. You don't want those spasms causing problems with the wrap.  You're not the first I've heard of here who has struggled with them.  Hang in there.  Let us know what your GI doc has to say.

Good luck!

Denise