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Posted 10/28/2013 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
So....Hello....
I have been reading these forums for a while now. I am 2 weeks out of my Nissan. I am feeling pretty good, other than the weird bowels. I am really hoping that changes soon as its a little nerve racking. I did not have typical Gerd symptoms. I went to the doctor a year and a half ago for a sore throat and hoarseness. After a couple ENT's and a surgeon they figured out that I had reflux acid killing my vocal chords. The last thing I wanted to have was a surgery, but after my wife nearly demanding it over the risk of cancer and only being 36 we chose to take the leap of faith. So far it has been ok, but the recovery has been a tremendous amount more than I had ever thought. Apparently the anesthesia will make you an emotional wreck crying at the drop of a hat (which is something I do not do) and sweat through the night. That seems to be mostly passed now hopefully. I really want to say thank you to the people who take the time to post positive outcomes, especially the younger demo. There does not seem to be enough of them. I don't normally post stuff online, but in this case I felt it necessary for those reasons. Thank you again, and I look forward to healing with each of you with God's blessing.
Posted 10/28/2013 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
I almost forgot a side note. I did have a HH repair. The doctor told my wife when I was in recovery that he could have put his hand through the hole in my diaphragm. I play softball every week, I didn't really know I had it and didn't seem to have trouble running....so...IDK
Posted 10/28/2013 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Wow your story sounds a LOT like mine. my HH was very small though, but I did have a lot of emotional trouble with my recovery and I still have it a bit, lots of anxiety, but the anesthesia and liquid pain medication, narcotic, made me very very emotional. I cried and cried.
Dont worry about the bowels, they will work out just fine. if you find you cant go, smooth move tea is great to help. I am about 3 months out and still take a stool softener a few times a week.
Hang in there, it only gets better from here!
Posted 10/28/2013 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you,
I need all the encouragement I can get. I go through these days of "was this the right decision". I am a really bad buyers remorse kinda guy, but I cant just take this back..lol. The hardest things that I am having trouble overcoming is the anxiety of having the surgery and the long term things that happen with it and the patience of recovery. This was something I needed to do because vocal chord cancer or other problems were not an option for me. I have two young daughters that I have to take care of and walk down the isle one day. Two weeks ago right now I was under and I am sitting back in my office at work today typing this. I think I am doing well, but convincing my head that I am is a completely different story.
Posted 10/28/2013 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
MCord,

Believe me, someday you'll look back and say to yourself, "What the hell was I so worried about? I feel fantastic!". It's certainly not going to happen overnight, but once you get used to the fact that you've had major abdominal surgery and that what you did will give you the opportunity to live pain free, with the voice your wife fell in love with, you'll be in a good place.

I struggled with the decision myself, although my story is a bit different in that I didn't have a HH but had severe chest pain and regurgitation from my LES so damaged from years of being bathed in horrendous acid. After every meal I'd be curled up in a ball in pain unable to do anything about it. It was awful for my two daughters to witness all of that on top of me being a cranky mess because I was so uncomfortable all the time. While the pain and discomfort were a big enough motivator, not making life difficult for my family was another.

If you're still on pain meds, the night sweats could definitely be from the drugs. I had the most intense "personal summers" about an hour after taking liquid vicodin. My surgeon said that is a typical reaction and that it would go away once I was off the meds, which was true. The bowel issues will regulate with time. Your diet and any pain meds you're still are a big reason for any irregularity. You'll be fine, in due time.

Be well and take care,
-TonyG-
Posted 10/28/2013 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
I stopped the pain meds about 10 days ago. I generally eat soup, runny mash potatoes and I have managed some over cooked mack and cheese. I hope the meds are out of my system now. I know I am only 2 weeks post op, but I still feel a fogginess in my head sometimes and that messes with me. On a side note, my sinuses seem better and although my voice isn't perfect, it has not been raspy since I woke up from surgery. That should be a good sign hopefully. How long before the gas bloat and bowels return to normal. That would go a long way into helping me feel back like I am getting better.
Posted 10/28/2013 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
I also have this "fogginess" feeling in my head. Like I am on the cusp of getting a headache but never do. Its kinda in my temples and I have trouble focusing sometimes. This recovery thing isn't a breeze.
Posted 10/28/2013 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
the "buyers" remorse is normal. I had the same thing. Just try to stay postive, I know it is easier said than done. It is hard, but we are here for you if you get scared, have questions or even just need to vent a little.

I felt lots of weird things physically and emotionally when I was recovering. They really do clear up. If they dont, then definitely tell your doctor or surgeon.
Posted 10/28/2013 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you...support from random people on the internet...who would have thought that...lol

I am sure I will have lots of questions...I tend to be that way...good or bad.
Posted 10/28/2013 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
it seems like just about everyone has some kind of gastrointestinal complications after their nissen, but within 3 months most of the symptoms resolve and at the 1 year mark, just about everyone is symptom free.
Posted 10/29/2013 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Questions for someone with more knowledge than me.....

I don't generally feel hungry in the mornings.....when will the hunger come back, and I tend to have stomach aches in the morning when I wake up...is this a different hunger sensation?

Thanks in advance
Posted 10/29/2013 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
I went through periods during my recovery where I never felt hungry, I think that it was because of the swelling, it makes you feel full when you aren't. this is especially true for the stage in healing you are in, being at your max swelling and all. I felt really weird things, pinching, fullness, reflux, gurgling. All sorts of fluttering and spasms. They do get better.
I did not really lose any weight from my nissen during the first three weeks, but after that I started to drop quite a bit because of the smaller portions I was eating. I just always felt so full so fast. I still have a sensitive stomach and feel pretty full quickly, although I don't mind.

I notice that I have stomach aches in the morning because I breathe through my mouth at night and swallow air. It helps to drink something warm in the morning and maybe take some gas x if you think you are experiencing the same problem. I loved sipping on a bit of warm almond milk with a little cinnamon, it always makes my tummy feel better.
Posted 10/29/2013 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
In the beginning, I wasn't hungry at all. I did make sure to eat something, even if it was just a small bit of applesauce and some coffee or tea. If I didn't eat, I felt lethargic and didn't have any energy so I would force myself to eat a little bit of something to give me a little kickstart.
Posted 10/29/2013 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like you are doing 'normal' compared to many of us.
I'm not sure what those stomach aches are. We all seem to have little things that are different from the rest. Maybe it's the acid messing with you. Does eating something take the pain away? If so, that's probably it. My GERD symptoms were nausea and stomach aches - always on an empty stomach.

I'd have to look back at my journey post, but I don't think my hunger returned until at least 3 weeks out. I still can't eat a regular 3 meals a day. It has to be more smaller 'meals', otherwise I get bloated and uncomfortable.

At 7 weeks post op, I've now added 21 grams of fiber a day to my plan with a supplement in a gummie candy form - they taste really good, too. The added fiber is trying to make a difference. I'm still not regular, but with the added fiber, I'm getting closer. I wish I had done this sooner. The constipation and diarrhea (caused seemingly by senna) has been a drag, depressing in a way.

I hope your symptoms continue to improve. I've been told to be patient, I still have the same lung, throat mucus, voice problems as before. The stupid esophagus needs to figure out it's not being attacked by acid. I wish I could educate the darn thing myself.
Posted 10/29/2013 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
It does seem to get better when I eat something. The thing is its hard to know when to eat when you do not feel hungry. I'd like to add some fiber and protein to my diet...say.....a handful of Doritos locos Tacos.... I don't feel hungry, but I'd eat that..haha
Posted 10/30/2013 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Voice not as good today and have some drainage. Saw the surgeon today and he says LPR symptoms take several weeks to start healing.... Hope he is right
Posted 10/30/2013 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Still have drainage today. I have noticed that my legs seem to fall asleep pretty easy. Has anyone else done this? Its a little strange.
Posted 10/30/2013 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Do you mean like drainage as in post nasal drip?
Posted 10/30/2013 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
yes, I still have some of that. Hopefully it will lighten up soon. The Doctor said that could take weeks to get better.
Posted 10/30/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
I had that pretty bad myself, i still do since I am allergic to everything, but it was pretty bad after the surgery. Benadryl really really helps. I got the childrens kind so I wouldnt have to swallow the pill.
Posted 10/30/2013 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have been reading Dencha's thread. It's quite comforting. The recovery process for this is harder than I expected.
Posted 10/30/2013 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
It is "really long and really annoying" even at almost 4 months out. I keep telling people that over and over when they ask how I am. Its like you feel good, but its still a "really long and really annoying recovery" I still have pain sometimes in my diaphragm and ribs from my incisions when I move too much or from certain clothing, and I still lack energy like I had before surgery. You really have to baby yourself for a long time. Denise says its a good 6 months and then even up to a year before you really start feeling better than normal.
Posted 10/31/2013 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Today, I feel better. My body feels better and my "insides" seem to be acting normal. I positive spot in a long situation.
Posted 11/1/2013 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MCord,

I realized (after reading your post about the possibility of dues being paid for membership to the Wrapped Club), that you haven't been welcomed into it!

Here it goes!

Welcome to the yeah yeah yeah Wrapped Club! yeah yeah yeah No dues required!  Sorry it has taken me so long to wish you well, and happily induct you into our not-so-exclusive club!

Don't forget that you're just two weeks into a recovery that takes six months for most of the healing and a year for the rest!  The laproscopic procedure provides a false sense of healing.  It's easy to forget the MAJOR surgery that was done on the inside, when your outside heals so nicely.

You're already back to work, which is a challenge that many of us avoided for much longer than two weeks.  You'll certainly find that the challenges of getting up and out to work all day will have an impact on your healing, so be kind to yourself.  I was still spending much of the day on the couch at your stage of recovery!

Don't forget that you're likely getting increased swelling of your wrap, which can create swallowing difficulties, or at least some discomfort at the wrap site.  This too will pass, and you'll see gradual improvements as your recovery progresses.  Hang in there!

Glad you joined the forum!

Happy healing,

Denise

Posted 11/1/2013 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
I was really just making a joke. I tend to do that when stressed about something. Thank you for your kind words. It was your thread that gave me a positive outlook on this surgery and that I could make it through. I did nothing but read all the bad, because that is really all that is out there. You should get a nice reward one day for all the people you are helping. There are a couple of really positive and nice people here, and on the days I am needing some positivity everyone helps with that. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the club, and waving my initial dues. Have a great day!
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