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

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Posted 11/12/2013 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi StephanieJean,

You're just three months post-op, so stop worrying!  It is very common for people to start having troubles at that point...pain at the wrap site, things getting stuck, etc. 

Why? At this point in recovery, people begin to eat more varied foods, and begin to eat faster--more like they ate before the surgery.  They forget the most important rule...chew, chew, chew, and don't swallow anything that isn't chewed to a liquid consistency. 

If you forget this rule, you will begin to irritate your wrap and create problems for yourself. 

What to do?  If you're trying to add raw veggies, step back and wait a while.  The time will come when you can handle them again, but if they're causing you problems, stop.  Whatever it is that is getting stuck or causing discomfort, stop eating it. 

This doesn't mean that you need to eat liquid or soft foods.  It does mean that you need to choose your food more carefully, and chew it more thoroughly.  Of course if you've irritated your wrap, baby it until it feels better, then advance your foods.

Just always remember to CHEW, CHEW, CHEW, CHEW, CHEW, and eat slowly.

Hang in there!

Happy healing,

Denise

Posted 11/12/2013 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
I know! :(
I have not done raw veggies. the salad i tried was a long time ago. I have been trying to baby my wrap, but the pain keeps getting worse and worse while it had been getting better. It feels like chest pain along with like the pain of a torn abdominal muscle. I have not had this much pain since like a week or two after my surgery. My shoulder is even starting to hurt.

I know I worry a lot, and sometimes without good reason, but I am really thinking something isnt right.
especially since I started the ibuprofen regimine and have been trying to eat soft things and stuff.

I really hope that I am just a nutcase who needs to slow it down. I want to be wrong.
Posted 11/12/2013 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hiya Stephanie,

That type of pain seems a little unusual. Have you tried an ice pack on the area of your diaphragm? Sometimes, (even now at 6 months post-op) I find that I get a little twinge here and there around the site of my wrap. My surgeon said it could be nerve regrowth that is causing it to feel that way. Fresh nerve endings are extremely sensitive and can fire like crazy when irritated/stretched (I found out the hard way when I tried to advance my diet too fast and went to the gym in the same day...I thought I was going to die!). After a couple weeks the pain subsided and all is well now. How much have you advanced your diet and exercise?

-TonyG-
Posted 11/12/2013 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to put this on my journal too because its kind of interesting.
I have Costochondritis. its from the rib incision, aggravated by my moving around and from the sinus infection, even though it was mild.

This is from a website, but it kind of says what my Dr. Said.

http://www.cfids-cab.org/cfs-inform/Ic/costomm.htm said...
Costo is an inflammation of the rib cartilage, and is sometimes diagnosed by pushing on the sternum, (area at the top where your ribs join) or by pushing on any sore spot on your ribs. Either should cause intense pain. *However*, not everyone with CC will respond like that.

In the beginning, costo is usually worse,it feels like there is an elephant sitting on your chest, it hurts to breathe, ribs hurt all over with intermittent sharp, stabbing pains, and usually a few "sore spots" on your ribs, that you would faint if someone poked you there. You might also feel like you are having a heart attack. Eventually, it might go down to a dull, but constant ache, or simply the feeling of sore ribs. It hurts to wear a bra, and different motions, like picking a child up from the floor, can cause a flare up, with intense pain. When it is a chronic condition, it tends to wax and wane, come and go. It might be better for a while, then you will reach for something in the wrong position and bam!, it is right back again.

Ibuprofen works for it, but he was worried that I was going to get an ulcer so he told me to use zantac and carafate and to only take 400-600 MG of Ibuprofen 3x daily and ice it, or heat it depending on what feels better.
I have a followup in 3 weeks.
Posted 11/12/2013 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi StephanieJean,

The only problem with the ibuprofen is that if your stomach/wrap is irritated, it can be a killer on your stomach lining.  It could even be part of your problem.  I know I can't take it, as I have a reactive stomach.  It works on inflammation better than Tylenol, but if I need anything that's what I take.  I only take the Tylenol when I have a fever, and even then I take it via suppository.  Just a thought.

Shoulder pain is related to diaphragm inflammation, so if it's causing you trouble, it's likely that the swelling and inflammation may be getting it going again.

If you're having problems that you're worried about, be sure to call your surgeon's office or even your GI doc. 

Hang in there,

Denise

Posted 11/12/2013 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
Stephanie - I'm sure glad you found out what it was. I hope you have some sense of relief. I wish there was a very easy way to tell if the wrap is working properly. That would sure calm your nerves.

The nerves growing and reconnecting that Tony mentioned also makes a lot of sense.

The only issue I have with incisions, is the upper left bothers me sometimes when bending over during exercise. It will ache a little. I try to avoid those moves.

I've been eating raw veggies, daily - no problems. I have not had salad greens, again, though. I might have one with dinner, as I'm not going anywhere. I had some soup today that was loaded with cabbage. I was prepared for a major bloat, but it didn't get bad. I have not tried cucumber, broccoli or cauliflower, yet.

I do find myself craving a glass of milk when I eat spicy or acidic foods. I guess my stomach still wants to be soothed. The ppi's were taking care of that before surgery.
Posted 11/13/2013 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Laurie,

My left rib incision took the longest to feel better, too.  Have you tried icing it?   It worked well for me.  When I asked the surgeon why that pain was the worst, he said that it was the port where most of the manipulation of surgical tools occurred.  It takes time, but it will get better.

Glad to hear your swallowing is going well.  You are two months out.  Don't forget that your upper GI tract has been traumatized.  Be sure to listen to your stomach/wrap.  It's common for people to get frisky after two or three months, and forget that they still need to baby their stomach, and go easy. 

It's six months for most of the healing, and a year for the rest.  You're at two months in the process.  Just listen to your body, and you'll continue to do great.

Happy eating!

Denise

Posted 11/13/2013 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Denise! I'm still keeping my meals relatively small, but I do need to remind myself to chew better.

I received some excellent news. My insurance company has approved IVIG treatments for my immune problems. I start next week. It's basically an infusion (via IV) of healthy people's plasma - which will boost my own immune system.

This may actually help heal my lungs, too - I still have so much trouble breathing. My esophagus is still full of mucus, all the time. I'll find out, soon.
Posted 11/13/2013 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Wonderful!!!! I cant wait to hear how they work!
Posted 11/13/2013 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Laurie,

That's great news!  I'm sure that if you can get your immune system in full gear, it will help your lungs and healing! 

Yay! yeah yeah yeah

Denise

Posted 11/13/2013 6:31 AM (GMT 0)
Along with ice, heat helped mine with the rib pain. With trauma they say to ice it the 1st 24 to 48 hu=ours and then use heat as heat can speed up healing.
Learned this through many soft tissue injuries and surgeries. It works and can be used with alternating ice and heat. Remember to only ice about 15 to 20 mins., same for heat.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 12/1/2013 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
I've been doing very well. I still keep my meals on the smaller side, to avoid the discomfort. I do have another problem, now.

The upper left incision has been developing kind of a bump. It felt a little rough. Well, now I realize a stitch is sticking out of it. What do I do about this? I thought they were supposed to dissolve? eyes
Posted 12/2/2013 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
My surgeon told me that if that happened he could either take it out, or it would go away on its own.
It might be good to call about it, but its not dangerous in anyway, just uncomfortable.
It didnt happen to me with this surgery, but my last laproscopic surgery, my belly button incision had that happen and the doctor just yanked on the string and it came right out and healed up with some antibiotic cream.
Posted 12/2/2013 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
I lost my post somehow. I read your post last night Stephanie, THANKS! I took a tweezer and gently pulled it out. It was a very thick white thread - not like a typical stitch. It was a little sore after, but fine this morning. :)
Posted 12/2/2013 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Great news! It should heal up just fine.
my incisions have been itchy lately. I think its because of the dry winter air.
I have been using cortisone cream on them and vitamin e oil.
Posted 12/2/2013 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have a stitch sticking out of my smallest right side incision. It's not very long, but it's there. I'm a little paranoid still to touch it. Since it's not bothering me too much I figure I'll give it more time to try and come out on its own. Obviously I'd like it to come out eventually. You guys have had a little bit more time to heal. My incisions have been healing pretty well. I never had much pain at all with them. Mine have been a little itchy too from time to time.
Posted 1/29/2014 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I figured it was a good time for an update.

It has been well over four months and I am doing well. I can eat and drink anything without trouble. The gas and bloat are almost non-existent. I ate too much last Saturday night. We ate out and the restaurant had a wonderful salad bar. I was busy talking, drinking and eating and just did not pay attention to the amount I was consuming. It caused some swelling and pain for a couple of hours. Live and learn...

I went to Mexico on vacation. The resort was infected with norovirus, which I caught. Thankfully, I had plenty of zofran with me and it worked, along with a lot of pepto Bismal.

I did throw up once, but only had liquid in my stomach at the time. It didn't get stuck or cause a problem. It slid up and out. Gross, I know... But it was a post-op worry.

I still have mucus in my throat and lungs, but it has been getting much better. I got my voice back at the 4 month mark, that was a surprise after so long. My asthma symptoms have been better, as I do believe I am no longer inhaling any acid and less and less mucus.

I hope my story has been encouraging to those considering NF.
Posted 1/29/2014 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am so glad you updated. Honestly this flu season I have had nightmares about noro. I am so terrified of having to throw up so while I am not glad at all it happened to you I am really thankful that told us about your experience. I'm glad things went better than expected.

Can you belch?
Posted 1/29/2014 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yes - I've been able to easily burp since early on. My surgeon had said most of his patients can burp with his method of the floppy nissen.
Posted 1/29/2014 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thats good! Im so glad you have had success. I hope it just keeps getting better for you
Posted 1/30/2014 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Laurie,

I am glad to hear that you are doing well and the nausea incident was minor. Keep warm and keep in touch.

Michelle
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