3 days post op - Lap Nissen Fundoplication

Debbie,

I hope your feeling better. From what I read on here that swelling usually starts around the two week mark. Perhaps it's the gas pains? I was still getting them 6 days post op. I'm due to go back to work tomorrow. Hopefully I make the day, I just tire so easy and I haven't really been that hungry. Let us know how your appointment goes.
Leah

Hi Ladies,
My 1 week Post-op went as well as I expected today. The Surgeon is pleased with my progress so far and removed my Bandages
(I didn't have steri stips). I asked for something a bit stronger than Tylenol and he said Ok, what would you like? I'm sitting there kicking myself for not calling and asking days ago! I have Tramadol now for when the shoulder pain is bad.
I feel great today after only sleeping 3 hours last night and then my first outing seeing the Dr. and grocery shopping after but I'm sure I will crash hard tonight.

Leah,
you are still weak from all you have been through and eating very little. I hope your first day back isn't going to be a set back for you. Listen to your body and don't push it.
Laurie,
I told my Husband last night that if I died of a heart attack during the night would he at least wash my hair and change my clothes before calling for help. LOL. so I can understand why you considered going to the ER. I wasn't sent home with a spirometer and haven't kept the ones from past surgies. Really didn't want to need it again. I know I have stitches in my diaphram because the Surgeon said he had to do a lot of repair where my stomach had pushed up through so that is why breathing deep isn't a very pleasant feeling.

Thank you both for letting me tag along after you on your recovery journeys.

Hi Ladies,
Debbie, so glad your appt went well and you got some Tramadol! That is what I have as well.
Leah, don't overdo it at work! But glad it is going okay...I think my mind is rather foggy at times, too. I am feeling a lot more fullness in my stomach and throat today as well....but I seem to have more energy today. Are you going to be able to make it through eight hour days?
Laurie

Leah, I bet you were exhausted! How is today going? I will be back to work one week from today. Starting to feel like I may actually be ready. Two weeks today! How are you feeling today? I am back to no appetite, but I am sure that will change again soon. Probably swelling....
I bet you are looking forward to tomorrow and being off. Take it easy and listen to your body. Did it get easier today? I bet it felt good though to be back in the real world😀
Laurie

Debbie, how have you been feeling? I hope it has gotten easier,

Leah, I have been having some issues right at the lowest rib on both sides, like a catch with some pain...is that what you are talking about?
How is your day off? I bet you are tired after working two days!

Is your appetite returning yet? Mine really is pretty decreased but I seem to be able to get most things through the wrap, although I am not going to try any kind of bread or like substances for awhile. In fact, my doctor has not given me the okay for anything like that yet. Because of my surgeon going on vacation, I do not see him until October 2. Going slow in adding food seems to have worked the best for me, so I think I will continue that practice. I am going to be testing my stamina today in that I have a hair cut and color today. I am one of the few women my age who still has no grey hair, but my very fine hair holds a style when I "rough it up" with coloring it. So it will be over two hours. I really feel like I need that to feel ready to return to the world of work next week!
Enjoy your day off!

Laurie

Hi Laurie,

Yes I am enjoying my day off! Went back to sleep for a while after getting my son off to school. Yes I did have some discomfort on my left side just under my ribs but that seems to be gone, just below that I have had almost like a pulling sensation when I turn a certain way. I'm sure its all the swelling and the healing going on. My incisions are really itchy, actually by whole stomach is itchy! My appetite seems to have gone away as well and if I drinks something and bend over quick I feel it come right back up and still get some chest discomfort when I'm swallowing drinks/food so this has to be the increased swelling for us! Are you on Facebook? I found a closed group related to our surgery, it gives a ton of information and has been informative for me. I've posted a couple of questions and w/in minutes you have people responding. Also if you are perhaps we can friend each other and keep in contact that way so we don't have to take so much space up here on these boards - I wonder if people read our updates? lol - if you don't then that's okay we can keep it up on here. Good luck today with your hair appointment! That's great no gray hair! My mom is 60 and just recently started getting gray, I hope I take after her! I'll be 41 in a couple of weeks and just started getting one random one here and there (my hairdresser found my first!) I found one as well. I foil my hair. My next follow up with my surgeon is a week from today. I'm sticking to the food I've been eating for now and we will see what she says next week. Not sure if I asked you before but were you a coffee drinker? I loved having my coffee in the am getting ready for work and then some of us girls at work would treat ourselves to a Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee during lunch. Now that the pumpkin coffee is out at Dunkins I've been craving it! lol!! It seems some people drink it after the surgery and can tolerate it. I wouldn't try it until my surgeon gives me the green light to go back to my normal diet. I'm not a soda drinker but did drink the carbonated polar flavored waters but I don't miss them to much, I did like my Sam Adams beer but will probably have to stay away from that! My brother sent me a pic of their Oktoberfest (one of our favorites) yesterday and I was like "oh man! I can't even have one!" lol. I don't know if I asked where you live? I recall maybe somewhere in the midwest? I live in Massachusetts, just north of Boston. Well I should get going and go for my walk, that's what I've been doing is trying to walk most days, hopefully advance to jogging in the near future! Hope you have a great day!
Leah

Debbie, Hope everything is okay!!

I'm on the FB site called Nissen Fundoplication is that the same one you are on Leah? I agree it is a good page lots of information and people wanting to help.
Forgot to Mention earlier I've lost 14lbs since surgery! Definitely another positive outcome from this procedure.

Yes that's the one Debbie, good for you on the weight loss! I've lost 8 pounds so far. From what other people posts it seems you never eat as much as you did prior to surgery which surely will help with portion control!! Lol!

Leah

Oh no! Definitely take it easy today! It's amazing how easily we can have a setback when we are feeling pretty good and overdue it a bit. Have a nice rest with your doggies!
( :

Hi Linda Sue!

I'm sure you read my story but I only recently started with the classic GERD symptoms, my main problem was LPR. My GI doc referred me to my surgeon because meds, diet changes ect weren't helping my symptoms. My surgeon did an upper endoscopy and found that my LES wasn't functioning and a barium swallow confirmed reflux. I'm now 17 days post op and feeling pretty good! I went back to work on Monday, I do still tire very easily. I'm on the soft nissen diet and tolerating everything. I am still taking Nexium, my surgeon told me to continue, I'm not sure for how long but plan on asking her at my next appt. I have had no gerd symptoms since my surgery.
I had a small hiatal hernia which actually corrected itself during my surgery so it didn't have to be surgically corrected. Kudos for you on losing the weight prior to surgery! It will certainly help in your recovery. The only problem I had when working out was shortness of breath.
We are communicating through Facebook but take your time and let me know when your on it! I'll continue to keep in touch on here, if you write a message I get an email that I have a new message on this thread.
Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll let Laurie and Debbie know as well!
Welcome! ( :
Leah

Oh, I also was on my PPIs for two weeks after surgery but then my doctor told me to stop them

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=3132073

It's been wonderful following y'all. It is sooooooo helpful. When you are ready, please consider going to the above topic: "for successful fundoplication members" and document your own success. It was started to help others make the decision to have the surgery. It seems that the forum is filled with problems and the happy people don't hang around to let others know about feeling well. Please take a look and look forward to seeing ya there. Thanks. Pat (I'm a senior citizen).