11 days post op.

First of all, congrats for having your surgery and progressing. To clarify, the wrap/surgery swells as a part of the natural body process. Depending on a person's body, sometimes it won't reach maximum swelling until about two weeks after surgery. Every person's body is different. Mine actually stayed longer and just starting to go down after a month from my surgery on 12/23/14. I've read others gone down after week. It's a process and just take it slow. As for the pills, my surgeon gave that as a big no-no for the rest of my life. He said best to do all liquid/chewables/etc. Did your surgeon discuss this with you??

Nannynaomi:

I never had the "peak swelling" that a lot of people experience. Have you been able to eat any blended yogurt, pudding, or jello? Fortunately, I was able to swallow pills after surgery without any problems. Before you got to see the surgeon, make a list of all of your concerns.

Nannynaomi

Most people, not all, will experience additional swelling after surgery and can take 2 weeks to a month or more to happen and then slowly go down. It all depends on how your body reacts and how much you push your diet.

Even after this period you can irritate the wrap and it will swell again, though usually not as bad. If this happens just back off your diet a step or 2 for a few days and then try again.

Unfortunately most surgeons have no real idea how this healing process works since they haven't been through it. It can be a very long process for some people and a reasonably short for others, again depends on your body.

When I experienced the peak swelling I could tell liquids were sitting at the wrap more and I felt some reflux symptoms. It gradually went away over a couple weeks.

Think of it like an impact injury. Usually you have some swelling at first and then more later and it gradually goes down. Your body went through a lot of trauma and will take some time to heal. Just because it is done with only a few little incisions it's still major surgery and whether it is done open or lap the inside goes through the same trauma.


Take care,
Bill

A pill cutter helps me take my pills

Hi Nannynaomi,

There are plenty of post-Nissen folks who can swallow pills just fine--both during and after recovery. I could swallow any size pill pre-Nissen, but even now, I don't even attempt a pill the size of calcium. There have been scripts that I've declined, if they couldn't be crushed, which some can't.

I don't know what types of pills you're having to take. If they are time-released, you won't be able to crush or chew them. I know some pills don't come in liquid. If you've got capsules, you can open them and mix them with applesauce or yogurt. If they're time-release (and say "do not chew or crush") you'll want to mix it well, and just "tongue" them to trick your mind into thinking you chewed.

You can also check with your doctor, and see if the medication/tablets, caplets, comes in smaller/half-doses. Then you can take two of the smaller ones, rather than one big one.

I take fish oil for dry eyes, and take a teaspoon of the liquid, rather than those large fish oil capsules. It has the bonus advantage of acting a little like Alcie's butter...I take it before more troublesome pills. Like Alcie, dry, rough pills are the most likely to stick.

I take antihistamines, and switched from Allegra to Xyzal, because of size. Xyzal is tiny.

I definitely got peak swelling. It can create discomfort in the sternum area, and can cause liquids/foods/medications to sit at the wrap site, before they get through. This can cause wrap irritation. Be sure to take continuous sips of room temperature water, or even warm tea. That will create your swallowing reflex to keep working to move things past the wrap.

Don't worry. There are ways around whatever experience you have during your recovery. Just keep asking questions. As you can see, there are many members who want to provide you with support and information!


Happy healing!
Denise