My Nissen Fundoplication Recovery Journal

Hi Everyone,

I'm Day 4 out from having a 270 degree wrap and I thought I'd share my experience so far - I found this forum to be a great source of information and reassurance so I hope I can help someone as well.

Pre-Surgery: All of my adult life I've struggled with GERD, heartburn, stomach spasms. Had two scopes done to discover a hernia and enlarged oesophagus. Approximately three years ago I was prescribed Nexium, which did stop the acid in the reflux, but not any of the reflux itself. I started to feel that the Nexium was not a long term solution for someone my age (40), and started to really investigate the long term implications of taking PPIs. I wasn't happy with what I found out, and I tried several times to stop taking it with horrendous results. Within weeks I was back on the Nexium, and more upset. Eventually my GP referred me to a new surgeon in our area (regional Australian town) who performs this procedure. Previously it wasn't available at our local hospitals. I met with him a few times, and after another scope and routine tests, he scheduled the surgery with the promise that I would be able to cease taking my Nexium the day of my operation

The Operation: I was in a local private hospital, and expected to be in 1-2 nights. The surgery itself went to plan, but I struggled with the anesthetic and waking up. I was given pethadine rather than morphine due to an intolerance I have, and I think that caused me to be more groggy and unresponsive than expected. I had the surgery in the afternoon and I can't recollect anything until about midnight when I needed to call the nurse for some pain relief. I was sore, uncomfortable and had an awful feeling of needing the toilet constantly which I think may have been residual gas pressing on my bladder. I was given endone, panadol, ibuprofen and an anti-nausia medicine, so from midnight on I was quite comfortable but didn't really sleep. In the morning I had an appetite, and quite easily ate porridge and a glass of juice. I was using the toilet, and subsequently discharged (I think I was lucky - the nurses suggested maybe another night...)

Days 2 -4: The first day/night at home I took a regular dosage of endone, panadol, ibuprofen and was basically pain free. I would describe it as being uncomfortable more than anything. The only advise my surgeon gave me about eating was to "have a sloppy diet for about 2 weeks". So I've stocked up on veggie soup, stewed apples, jelly, custard, Up & Go etc etc. I tried mash potato and gravy on my first night at home but it was painful and I couldn't eat it. But I've found everything else ok to eat in SMALL portions and SLOWLY (two very strange concepts for me when it comes to food!). I've had a few cups of tea, but no coffee since the operation (another weirdness - I'm a caffeine addict!).

Yesterday I dropped the endone and just took regular doses of panadol and ibuprofen, and a couple of stematil. I was fine, uncomfortable at times but definately not in pain. Today I'm planning on not taking anything unless I develop any pain. But I've felt a real improvement each day. I sleep on my stomach, and I'm a dodgy sleeper at the best of times, so I haven't had a full night's sleep, but I've done plenty of resting as required. I feel quite depleted of energy. My throat has been sore which I think is from the breathing tube used during the operation, but seems better today. I've had absolutely zero reflux, and stopped my nexium two days ago. I've noticed strange sounds/feelings from my stomach - gurgling, bubbles, hiccups, but I've just accepted them as part of the recovery and moved on. I was concerned at one stage yesterday because I seemed to have developed a strange swallowing reflex that I couldn't stop, but once I stopped thinking about it it settled down. My wounds are itchy and annoying, but not painful. I've got a wierd stabbing feeling in my left shoulder mostly when I eat, but I've read to expect that. I've lost a bit of weight, but that is certainly a bonus I wont complain about! I'm sick of sweetened liquidy foods, I've got to try and get more savoury foods into my diet.

So far, I'm happy with the procedure and recovery. I'll post again if anything new develops

This is my first time here and I am a little nervous! I have had asthma for 28 years, beginning in the summer of my 27th year. My lung capacity is down to 37% and I have been hospitalized twice, each time for more than a week with exacerbated symptoms that would not quit. I wheeze 100% of the time. My pulmonary doctor believes that my symptoms will either cease or be much diminished after I have a Nissen Fundoplication. I am ready to take on the challenge of this surgery, but am concerned about work missed. I am a teacher and have few days remaining for sick leave due to my other hospitalizations and my elderly parents health issues. How long will I realistically be unable to work? I have a strong teaching team and older students who can function well while I rest, and I can continue to walk inside during our breaks. My doctor doesn't want me to wait until June, but my son is getting married over spring break, and then we have our BIG, INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT STATE TEST in April. Just don't know what to expect as far as returning to work full time. Any thoughts on this? Thank you so much for all the posts.. very helpful information!!

la56teach

Welcome to Healing Well.

Denise, a mod here, is also a teacher and had horrible lung issues from reflux. She has been doing great after her nissen and I think she returned to work within 2 to 3 weeks, but everyone heals differently.


Here is a link to her recovery journal

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

Take care,
Bill

I am 5 weeks postoperative Nissen Hiatal Hernia repair and I am scared my Quality of life will not get better. Still have nausea no appetite have lost over 25 pounds get pressure pain in upper back after eating stomach cramping. Frequent burping.I generally feel horrible Dr says everything is in place. I feel worse than I did before surgery.

I think after reading all the posts I will not have the surgery. There is no way Iam going with out food It sounds like there there are more cons than pros.

Good afternoon,

I recently had my nissen fundoplication surgery (November 15th 2014). The op went well according to the consultant and I went home after one night in the hospital. I took a week off work to recover which I certainly needed. Throughout the first 10 days post surgery I wretched and vomited numerous times every day and had a lot of difficulty keeping anything in. I did speak to the consultant who said that this was fairly normal and he gave me anti-sickness tablets.

And then as if by magic, yesterday (11 days post surgery) I suddenly got my appetite back, went my first whole day without vomiting and was able to swallow things a lot easier. I had numerous soups during the day at work and then had some homemade prawn curry at dinner time (pureed without the rice) and then had some rice pudding for dessert.

Obviously I am very pleased about this sudden change and I am experience no re-flux since the operation but I am also slightly worried that maybe the wrap has failed or something. It just seems to be such a dramatic change overnight that it seems too good to be true! Today I have had pasta (well cooked so it was soft) in a very runny sauce and had no problem with it whatsoever.

If anyone can shed any light on the above I would be most appreciative!

Hi AirForceWife2007, thanks for your response. I am doing fantastically well thank you and can't believe what a difference this operation has made. I have not had one single bit of acid reflux since the operation and I am almost worried about speaking too soon as it seems too good to be true! I feel fit and healthy and 3 weeks on from the operation, I don't even know that I've had one other than the few slits on my stomach and not being able to eat chunks of meat or bread just yet.

I took one working week off after the operation (had it on a Saturday so had the Mon-Fri off work) but probably would have had 2 weeks if it wasn't my own business. Other than that, I am drinking strong coffee without any problem whatsoever (used to give me terrible acid reflux to the point of wretching/vomiting), I have had spicy food, red wine etc and nothing is giving me any acid reflux which is an amazing feeling!

Based on my experience 3 weeks post surgery, I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone with acid reflux issues. It is also so nice not to have to take tablets every day and keep getting a repeat prescription every 2 months. The first 10 days were difficult for me but now I think it was well worth it.

I am now day 7 and having a bad day. Pain is so sore that I had to ask doctor for strong pain meds. My stomach is very swollen and I feel 9 months pregnant . Still on liquid diet as tried to eat puréed food but felt as tho it was getting stuck. Have no appetite at all so full liquid is ok. Saying that it takes me about half an hour to drink a cup of tea lol. Hoping the pain eases off soon as I am a single mum and no one to help out. Kids being great but youngest doesn't understand why I'm not better yet .

Hi Every one!

I sure hope that this get read. I seem to have found this site rather late. I have been searching the web for info on the nissen that I will be getting done hopefully soon. My Gp has scared the hell outta me and does not want me to get it done. She has told me horror stories about some of her patients that has had this before and the outcomes were horrible. I do not want to take ppi's forever. I want to eat like a normal person again. Since I first started with lpr, I now have asthma and high blood pressure. I have NEVER had asthma before and I can almost swear that its caused my blood pressure to sky rocket. I was wondering if anyone else had these symptoms before the surgery. My breathing was so bad a couple of months ago, I was seen in the ER. I was not sick but to hear me breathe, it sounded terrible. My mouth and tongue has sores, spitting up acid into my mouth constantly and the burning in my tummy is horrible. I am scared to death to live like this, or, to have the surgery. Please help if any one still reads this thread.

Kindly yours,
Rachelle

I am curious if anyone has an update 5 yrs plus after surgery. I had my surgery 7 yrs ago and I haven't had reflux again until this month, but have a horrible time with my stomach swelling with just about everything I eat. It is so painful and frustrating, I never know what to wear, I start the day skinny and end most days looking 9 months pregnant I have developed many food intolerances and would never suggest this surgery to anyone! I had reflux but years of swelling and pain is way worse than reflux!

Hi I'm also a new member. 7 days ago had mine done. Still eating jelly clear soup, water and about half a cup of tea. Drinking water throughout the day.im more mobile and hardly taking meds only when needed however cut out meds yesterday and really felt unwell so will do it more gradually.
I tried a small portion of vanilla yoghurt bad choice diahorea within 15 mins so will try that at another time.

Chest is still sore burping impossible and gas build up painful. Clothes pretty tight around the stomach so wearing just a dressing gown indoors hope the swelling goes down soon. Good luck to everyone and take time to heal don't push yourself too hard.
This forum is a great support.