Nissan surgery 27th February 2014

I have only just found this site and am so relieved to have done so. I had my surgery done by nhs in Surrey and before was given a single page indicating a liquid diet for first two weeks post surgery, a soft diet for next two weeks and beginning to return to normal after that.

When I awoke from the anaesthetic I was worried about the unbearable pain around my neck and in my left shoulder, which has eventually led me to this site. The nurse said it was because they blow you with air in the operation but it would have been nice to be warned in advance.

I am writing this with heat pad on my left shoulder, which helps a lot. The pain gets much worse if I take a deep breath, so I think it must be linked to my diaphragm.

Everything else is going very well. The consultant told me to stop my reflux meds so that they could see if the surgery had worked, and so far I have had no problems.

As somebody else has already said The hospital diet was not suitable as they came round with the sandwiches after surgery and gave me orange juice with a straw for breakfast.

So now four days in, can anyone tell me when the shoulder pain will go?

Cidermilljulia

Welcome to Healing Well and the Wrapped Club!

To go along with the heating pad on the shoulder, it and ice can help with any swelling and pain on your belly as well.

A thing to remember with this surgery is it is a slow recovery, be patient. When eating keep meals small, 1/4 to 1/2 cup, 4 to 6 times a day. Chew everything very well, to a liquid if possible. Stay way from soft bread and solid meat for several weeks. Toasted bread and ground meats are easier to get past the wrap while it's swollen and healing.

If food does get stuck at the wrap, relax and sit up very straight or stand up. If that doesn't work take a small drink and wait for it to go down. It may take a couple drinks or so to get it through.

Expect things to get worse around the 2 to 3 week point. The wrap area will continue to swell and usually peaks about this time.

Check out the various recovery threads and the resources thread at the top of the forum.

Take care,
Bill

Congratulations on making it this far! Every day will get better as long as you stick to your diet and don't try and rush things along. Once I hit the second week, I added oatmeal, milkshakes, yogurt and pudding to my diet. I would make the oatmeal very thin and use applesauce to give it some flavor but also helped me feel full faster and for longer periods. Mashing up a banana worked really well in the oatmeal, too.

Best,
-TonyG-

Hi
I'd had a chronic cough that no Dr seemed to be able to sort out. Finally got a good group and after all the procedures, Endoscopy, Esophagram and a failed Manemotry, I had my Nissen wrap and hernia repair on 18 Dec 2013, with 5 incisions. I was told my esophagus was so burned from GERD that had we not caught this when we did it could have turned into Cancer. I have good days and bad days. Most days, I suppose where the wrap is, I feel there is a large lump that's very uncomfortable when sitting so I have to sit up straight most the time, it really is quite annoying. The healing process is very frustrating in that I'm my own worst enemy as I just can't sit still, I have to be in my garden and get caught up in what I'm doing and it's not until later I realize I shouldn't have picked up that heavy plant!! I've done this a few times and worry what I've done to myself so I rest for a few days as I'm very sore. Yes, I know it's really stupid!
After one week, the surgeon said I could eat anything I wanted, then after 6 weeks I was cleared to eat red meat but still haven't eaten a hamburger or a (small) steak as I don't feel I can handle it. I usually drink a protein drink in the morning, maybe half a sandwich for lunch, and fish, chicken with rice or sometimes a slice of pizza for early dinner. I'm only eating half of what I used to. I've lost 16lbs. I don't snack anymore and I don't eat chocolate only because I want to keep the weight off! I still have a little bit of a cough but use TUMS sometimes and have no need for my Asthma medication anymore. I'm glad I had the operation but the healing process is getting me down and wish I could fast forward to December 2014!

Thanks - tried the prune juice, but it just seems to create even more wind!!!

Hi Debra. Many thanks, will give it a try. Must say other than being bunged up, so far I have been so lucky. No pain once the shoulder pain went and since I am a very slow eater anyway I have not had any problems with food.

Have lost a few pounds, which was fine.

Hope your complications are now resolved.

hurtmom2

Welcome to Healing Well.

A barium swallow and/or manometry will be able to show if the wrap has come undone or slipped.

Take care,
Bill