Six weeks post op

I don't have the same symptoms as you, but I'll go ahead and contradict my journal a bit and say that I still have a lot of my old symptoms of coughing and clearing my throat, and on the days I was excited to have no symptoms I posted about it thinking it was all a wonderful success. I'm wondering if you have a lot of healing going on in that esophagus from all the acid before and also, I still have acidic saliva in the back of my throat too. I admit its better than it was though. I'm definitely not an expert, but I'm rooting for you to get better! It will be interesting to hear what your surgeon says.

What do you think, Bill?

You all are the point where things are starting to heal. I am talking about the damage done by the acid. This can be a long road. The esophagus senses any pain or irritation as heartburn/reflux. We all will have some reflux even after surgery. It's not practical to stop it completely because it would be impossible to swallow.

People without GERD still have some reflux and this is considered a normal amount. When we are having a "normal" amount it can be quite bad because of the way the esophagus responds. Not everyone, but the majority of people experiencing this will eventually have symptoms go away with more healing. The time it takes depends on how much damage was there, how long your body takes to heal, and how we are treating our body while it heals.

This can be like 2 steps forward and 1 step back thing...maybe even 3 back at times. Some people have an easy recovery, but they are the rare case. What you all are experiencing I have experienced. The difference is I have been through it 3 times and with each time I knew more of what to expect and when things didn't seem to be going well I could fall back on what I had learned before and wait it out.

This is by no means an easy recovery. Our bodies have been through a lot before surgery and the trauma from the surgery itself is bad enough, let alone top it off with previous damage.

Maria- If things are not improving when you see the surgeon I do hope he will do at least a barium swallow and a PH study. These will let you know what is going on. I had a setback after my last redo and thought for sure my esophagus tear had opened for the 3rd time. Felt exactly like it. I had a barium swallow and PH study and found out all was good. A couple weeks later it had resolved itself. This was 6 months after my redo.

It really can take 6 months to a year or more before everything is resolved.

Take care,
Bill

Hi Maria,

I hope January 14 is here before you know it. I really hope the doctor orders the tests for you.

Diass - I still have a lot of throat clearing, and hacking up phlegm. Some days I think - wow, it really is getting better, then other days (like this morning), it's same old stuff. 6 months is a long time to wait to see improvement. But, I'm off ppi's and occasionally use pepcid when my stomach gets upset with acid or NSAIDs. I'm 3 1/2 months post-op now.

Hi Laurie

Yes I'm sure he'll want to investigate what's going on but I'm hoping that it is all to do with internal swelling and fingers crossed that it'll settle down in the next couple of weeks .

Hope things are ok with you ?

Maria

Hi Michelle

I'm pleased that you seem to be doing better.

I've been better the last couple of days so maybe it was the swelling causing my problems.

I'm not eating anything spicy or acidic either. I have been eating a little chocolate and that seems fine. I do eat bread but chew it lots although swallowing hasn't been that difficult for me.

Let's hope that with a little more time things continue to improve for both of us.

Take care

Maria

Hi Noelle

Well what can I say- I thought I was doing a little better then yesterday was hell. I had heartburn all day.

Really not sure if this is down to swelling I guess only time will tell.

Due to see the surgeon on the 14th so if there hasn't been a significant improvement then I'll ask for some tests.

I have a feeling that this hasn't worked for what ever reason and I'm hoping that the tests will find out that reason.

I hope your doing ok ? I know you see your consultant in February so not that long really. Well I have said previously that I hoped we'd be on the mend by the New Year but it doesn't look like that will be happening. Let's hope that 2014 is the year that we see an end to this dreadful condition.


Take care

Maria

Hi Michelle

I'm really not sure I do seem to get the "heartburn" when I've eaten more challenging foods but I don't have a problem with swallowing.

I think it's heartburn because I get that acidly throat and mouth.

I'm still hoping it's early days and due to internal swelling and healing.

How long is it since your surgery and are you seeing any improvements ?

Maria

Hi Maria,

Happy New Year! I am at the 4 month mark. Still having different sensations every day. I feel pretty good. The nausea comes and goes. I still have problems with my left side of my chest. A lot of mesh was used to close my diaphragm.

What things are you eating when you notice the reflux? I wish you a fast recovery next year.

Michelle

Hi Michelle

I get lots of different sensations too. My latest is in my oesophagus and throat. I still get that acidly mouth.

I don't feel the reflux but I never did even before the operation. I knew I had reflux because of my tests and the chronic heartburn. I have never regurgitated food but I did retch a lot in the beginning.

I'm sure that my problems were caused by the hernia and I thought that once the hernia was sorted then all my problems would have been sorted - how wrong I was !

I'm pleased that you seem to be progressing and feeling better. Let's hope that it continues for you.


Maria

Hi Maria,

Here's hoping 2014 is a good year. My surgeon did mention in the early stages you will feel acid reflux but it is actually gas escaping. I am guessing everything takes a while to be redirected to the proper location. I hope that helps some of the mystery.

Michelle

The swelling for me comes in waves. It really is true when individuals say that the healing can take 6 months to a year. I had chunky soup yesterday and it actually took some time to go down. I had to sit up real straight in my seat to let the liquid slide down the esophagus. I went to dinner with my husband that evening and ate crab cakes, no problem.

Hope that helps.

Michelle

hi there was looking for advice i had hiatus hernia repair and nissan fundoplication surgery on 16/9/2013 i was only supposed to be on a liquid diet for six weeks. Still on it can only manage to half a bowls of porridge twice a day, i attempted to eat a party size sausage the other day and was in agony. I have also tried pate felt like it was stacking up and then brought it back up. If i try anything other than porridge i know about it. I had to go for another barium swallow on 20th dec as diet intake is minimal and i have lost 34 percent of my body weight in over to years. dieticians opinion is that they have done the wrap to tight If i try to eat anything other than porridge i am not only in agony but i constantly have the runs even when i dont eat anything. It is really getting me down now wondered if anyone has suffered like this afterwards. Any help or advice would be appreciated xx Thanks Joanne