Upcoming surgery

Welcome to the forum, Kayda.

You don't swallow pills. Get a pill crusher at any pharmacy (ask) and some pudding and applesauce. Your doc will give you a script for liquid pain meds when they send you home.

I'm surprised you weren't already in surgery as an emergency. These things don't go away by themselves.

I hope you are in a large university hospital with VERY experienced surgical team. This is a very complicated surgery. I know. I've had it. GPEH (Giant ParaEsophageal Hernia). My stomach was pushed into my chest during an accident.

No use being scared. This is life-saving surgery for you. It's going to be more involved than what most people get because they have to pull your stomach back down into your abdomen - below the diaphragm where it belongs.

Did you have reflux/GERD symptoms previously? If so, they will probably be doing a "fundoplication" (google that). Hopefully they will be doing the op laparoscopically, through your abdomen. Mine was! They have to reach up into your chest and let down (cut loose) some of the esophagus so the stomach will stay in the abdomen. Sometimes this is done through the chest - hope not! (My roommate had her's done through spreading the ribs.) Far less pain through abdomen. Laparoscopic has only a few small incisions. Way better than old-fashioned big abdominal incision. It does take longer that way. Mine took 4 1/2 hours.

Get a bunch of soft foods in stock, some liquids too. You won't be going shopping for at least a couple of weeks, maybe more. Look up "post-fundoplication diet" - UPMC has a very good one.

Don't let them send you home too soon! Try for 3 days at least, especially if you don't get the laparoscopic op. Plan on staying in bed or on couch the first week, maybe more.

I'm glad I had the surgery! I was in 60s when this happened and had other problems because of the accident, so it took longer to heal, but it was do-able.

There are many, many posts on this surgery, some links posted too. Just put some of the words I've mentioned in the search box at the top of the page. Don't respond to the old posts - keep using your own for better responses.

You can watch videos online if you want. I'm a biologist, so I did.

Actually, I was able to swallow pills after my Nissen.

Kayda,

Best of luck to you on your upcoming surgery. I know how nerve wracking this waiting period can be. I've been waiting since April, and my big day isn't until November 19th.

What part of this big world do you call home?

Take care of yourself and please let us all know how thing went for you!

Lori

Hi Kayda,

I live in Washington State.

To tell you the truth, I only met the surgeon once back in April, and because all my testing wasn't complete, he didn't know what type of fundo I would have, or if I was even a candidate. The testing was completed and all I know is I got a call from his office scheduling the surgery. I have an appointment with him the day before..so I guess I will find out then. He is the chief of staff for Thoracic Surgery, and has a very full schedule. I live almost 3 hours from where he is so the distance has added to my anxiety.

I don't know how you are coping with the stress of this! I woke up at 1:30 this morning and didn't go back to sleep. I feel like crap this morning....

Are you able to eat today? I was told I could have a light breakfast the day before, and clear liquids from then on. I'm scheduled for noon on the 19th.

I hope today passes quickly for you!

Wishing you all the best!!!!!

Hi Kayda,

Wow.....

I can't believe everything that you have endured in the past two months. When it rains it pours, huh? You are one strong woman! I hope that you have the support that you need to heal and get over these incredibly difficult health situations that you are facing. It isn't fair that our bodies don't behave the way that they were designed to...but thank goodness we have skilled men and women in the medical field that can handle our problems.

Has the blood clot in your arm lessened in severity? Obviously they will keep a close eye on that while you are dealing with the fundo. Did your surgeon address how the hernia is repaired? I have a moderate sized one and there has been no mention of how that is handled - but in fairness, I haven't had my "face to face" meeting with my surgeon yet to discuss the finer details of the surgery.

I re-read your previous post and assume you made it out shopping to get all the provisions for your new diet. I need to lose about 20 pounds so I am actually looking forward to that aspect of surgery - sounds stupid but when you have no choice but to eat small amounts it may help my mindset after I am all healed. I tend to be a gulper, and I eat way too quickly - its a bad habit I have had for as long as I can remember. Patience has not been one of my virtues, and I pray that this experience will help me in that area.

It is very reassuring to "know" someone else who is going through a similar experience. I will pray for you and your surgeon...

Take good care..
Lori

Hi Lori,
After my surgeon sutures my stomach back in place, the plan is to do a full wrap for the fundo. He may have to lenghten my esophagus by using part of the top of my stomach. We'll see when he gets in there. Hopefully it will be laparoscopic like he wants to do. The blood clot is there, hopefully dissolving.
Gonna try to get some sleep tonight. Surgery's not till 11:30 am
tomorrow so I don't have to get up too early.
Take care for now and I'll let you know how it went as soon as I can.

Kayda I'll be thinking of you! Hope you can get some rest tonight! You'll soon have this behind you!!

All the best

Lori