a bit scared need some advices having hiatal hernia surgery next week

Welcome to the forum, julie.

Sorry you have this problem. I had it too, but mine was caused by a car wreck, and I'm much older. But if I could do it, you can much more easily.

The first thing to do is understand what is going to happen. It helps you not be so afraid.Has your doctor explained it to you at length - until you understand it? Don't go to the archives too much (search box) because people on forums have mostly had bad experiences. Dr. Google is full of scare stories if you read a bunch of forum stuff. It's OK to read the scientific reports.

In case you don't know, having your stomach stuck in your chest is called a paraesophageal hiatal hernia, often called giant or GPEH. Hopefully your surgery can be done through the abdomen, but there are no guarantees. It'll probably be laparoscopic too. Less to heal. Scars disappear. If you wonder about something more specific, just ask. There are a lot of us here who've had this.

Stock up on some clear liquids and some liquids with milk (so-called full liquids), and also get a bunch of soft foods. You won't be driving or shopping for a bit. For milk, get Ultra-pasteurized because it won't spoil. Go online and find some of the "post-Nissen fundoplication diets."

Do you have someone staying with you?

Hi Julie:

Every surgeon is different with their advice regarding post-surgery. You should call his office and have them explain to you what will happen and what your post-surgery requirements and restrictions will be. I was told to limit dairy and citrus products as well as absolutely no caffeine, chocolate, carbonated beverages, or alcohol. Juicing might be a good idea, but again, you need to check to see what your restrictions will be after surgery. This is the diet that I followed after my surgery.

http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/nutrition/pages/diet-after-nissen-fundoplication-surgery.aspx

As far as recovery, everyone is different. Things started to feel better for me around 6 months, although I was told that it would be closer to a year before I felt normal again.

Good luck next week!

Sharon

My mother (now this was back in the early 70's) had Hiatal Hernia and so did her two brothers, even though it doesn't run in the family I have heard. Well both her brothers had surgery, for the Hiatal Hernia, they were fine. My mother did as well have the surgery, with her operation, she thought it would turn out well, anyway, the doctor, accidently cut the muscle that contracts to her esophagus and after the surgery, she for over 19 years she could not eat without choking. Her life consisted on, Instant Mashed potato, in liquid form, and with ketchup on it or French dressing. She would choke on anything that even had a bump in it. Apple juice was easier to swallow than water for some reason. She went to the doctors, to find out why she couldn't eat with out choking, she got sent to a psychiatrist, doctors said it was all in her head. So we all thought she was loosing it mentally, but she did choke. After she went another professional doctor and he found out (that the previous doctor, accidently cut the wrong thing, but it seemed like they waited 7 years to figure out what was wrong with my mother. 7 Years of poor nutrition, 7 years of lies, and what the previous doctor did was irreversible. Until than everyone was telling her it was all in her head. My Mom went over 20 somewhat years without a meal. She died in 1998, at age 59, her body fell apart, I think it's because the limited food started making her have mental problems and all kinds of medical issues popped up, so sad.
I would get a second opinion If I were ever to get that surgery, I saw what hell she lived in. Even going out to eat, She would order Apple juice, and mashed potato, with a cup of coffee. So sad.

Adrianna, I'm really sorry about what happened to your mother but I thought this forum is to give advice and support and you posting this would just frighten most people who would be about to have surgery!

julie_lozano23

I was up and moving the same night as my surgeries. Even after my esophagus tear surgery.

Realistically 80% of healing happens in the 1st 6 months and the rest takes another good 6 months. This is a marathon for full recovery, not a typical lap surgery. Expect to have ups and downs during this time. It's not unusual to feel very wore out for a month or 2 either. My energy was very slow to come back.

Take care,
Bill

Yesterday marked my one week of recovery.it hasn't been as hard as I thought I have been up and moving aro just fine I'm trying to stay off pain medication during the day and only take them at night but the last two day I have had a pain in my upper abdomen could it be from the swelling? I have been able to eat everything just really small portions can I have to chew everything really good
Thanks for all the feed back lady's