Hiccups after Nissen fundoplication

I had the hiccups when I ate too much or too fast.  Try to slow down a bit and chew chew chew.  Smaller meals every two hours worked well for me.  Hope you heal up fast  :)

Hi, Dan - I'm 11 weeks post-op, so I think I can offer some insight. When you start hiccuping, stop eating. Close your mouth (I cover mine with my napkin) and breathe slowly. The object here is self-calming. Don't try to eat or drink for a few minutes to an hour. Just wait until the hiccuping subsides.

Take small bites and chew until everything seems all liquidy. Then swallow. Wait until you have finished eating to drink. If you MUST have beverage while eating, only a few sip, sip, sip. No big swallows. Try to keep all your food and liquids at about room-temperature. Nothing really hot, nothing icy cold. No straws. No carbonated drinks.

Also, little meals several times a day is easier on your system than the traditional 3 a day.

In time you will be able to tolerate rice, pasta, beer, raw vegetables, etc. But don't get in a hurry. There's time for all that later. Just be good to yourself and let your surgical site heal by treating it gently.

Hope this helps. Ingrid

Hey, Dan - You are so recent to your procedure, you're expecting to function like you did before. Time may not conquer all, but it sure helps! Your esophagus is probably really swollen right now, which makes swallowing a bit challenging.

I had hiccups for over a month, and if I get in a hurry, or don't pay attention while I'm eating it can still happen. I had a bad problem with having to spit my food out sometimes because I tried to rush the chewing and swallow too soon. Then my lower esophogeal sphincture would just lock up. Hope that doesn't happen to you; it was really upsetting for me. Ruined a lot of meals early on....

I didn't have a Nissen; my Doc never gave his process a name. So your experience might be somewhat different than mine.

In time you will be enjoying your food and drink again; just be patient and don't be hard on your self if you forget and hurry. Just slow down and re-wind. It will happen down the road.

Have a great weekend! Ingrid

Hi Dan. I am 8 mos post op and still get hiccups. I believe it is a symptom that we all have to get used to and learn to take care of. I know mine is primarily due to taking quick bites and not chewing enough. Not for one moment have I ever regretted having the procedure, but it is a lifelong change that requires some thought before sitting down to a meal. I am active, in my mid-60s, and I still have to fuss at myself about slowing down. When the hiccups occur, they are painful and a force to reckon with. I too have to forgo eating sometimes simply because my system locks up. I didn't really need to lose weight but I did and have not gained any of it back. Not sure of the correlation but assume there is one. Good luck Dan. I love this forum and it is always good to hear from someone who has gone down the road before you.

I only had them for a short time, but found that they most came from eating too quickly and not chewing my food to an almost liquid consistency. If it still continues, I would speak to your surgeon's office.

Sharon