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NISSEN FUNDOPLICATION NIGHTMARE

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Posted 6/26/2015 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Linda Sue,

I hit a road block after surgery, I developed blood clots in both my lungs. I'm currently on blood thinners had a ct of my chest they are almost gone.

I'm not sure I can get the posting about blood clots before your surgery. The things you need to watch for and such. I'm doing very well still watching lots tv and going for walks.

I'm sending you lots of good karma and all my guardian angels that will help keep you save and surgery will go well. I still to this day still would have had my surgery food goes done so much better and the swallowing, and pain in my stomach is gone.

Sorry I don't have access to a computer that often so I will try and reply sooner.

Thank you let me know how you are doing and how surgery goes. Love to you all Bye for Now.
I'm in very good hands of my internal doctor, my surgeon, and my darling insurance advocate.
Keep smiling people have a wonderful weekend.
wink
Posted 6/26/2015 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Linda Sue

I'm very slow with the new computers I think I forward the information about blood clots and what to what watch for the best think I can tell you if you don't feel well and something isn't right let your doctors know. You are going to do just fine, I'm passing the information to help others incase they might have problems. I Hope the information my nurse advocate send me give you peace of mind.
If you don't know what your looking for I think reading the e-mail should help. Remember your in good hand with your providers let them know. Have a great weekend I'm excited that you will be feeling better real soon. Talk to you soon Sunshine( Dorthy) I'm glad I went to Oz stomach and everything is going well.
Posted 6/27/2015 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
SUNSHINE,
Yes, I received the DVT information and I thank you! I'm so sorry you were sidelined with those blood clots. How scary! SO GLAD you're getting it handled. I have been walking as often as I can ... I feel so lousy all the time and have so little energy, I must force myself to go. I've been walking about 1.5 miles when I go and this last week before surgery, I've been walking every day that distance.

I hope and pray I come through surgery with no nasty surprises and I thank you for all the 'positive' you are sending my way! I hope to be back home on Wednesday, if all goes well, and will be checking in as soon as I'm able. I also send you 'good karma' for speedy healing SUNSHINE!

Take care!
Posted 6/27/2015 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, need some help /advice/ words of wisdom here. I suffered from severe acid reflux for approx 10+ years n just got the Nissen fundoplication surgery/ pylori surgery about 3 weeks ago . Starting to really regret the surgery and wish I never got it . I'm still having some major complications , I'm nautious all the time and I'm having trouble making any bowel movements for almost 6 days at a time or longer . And when I finally do go to the bathroom I'm getting severe diahrea along with being light headed and dry heaves for almost 10 hours straight at a time . I'm only 27 n have 3 young children at home that I have to take care of . Could this possibly be vagal nerve damage ? I'm severely depressed and wish the doctor explained more to me because I wouldn't of gotten the surgery . I don't know what to do at this point . Thanks -- Paul


deleted extraneous text that resulted from copy/paste.

Post Edited By Moderator (dencha) : 6/27/2015 6:43:35 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/28/2015 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Paul,

Welcome to the Healing Well yeah yeah yeah Wrapped Club! yeah yeah yeah

You are in the midst of the most difficult part of your recovery. I expect your surgeon didn't prepare you properly for what to expect, as they generally don't. You're not alone.

First of all, try to understand that these symptoms are part of your early stages of recovery. Keep in mind that your upper GI tract has undergone a significant revision. Although you have only 5 little incisions on the outside, you've been through MAJOR surgery on the inside, and it will take time and patience to heal.

This is going to take some TRUST. You are not always going to suffer from these symptoms. Your body is going through a lot of healing and adjustments, and symptoms like the ones you're describing are not uncommon.

Your stomach is not happy with you right now. It has been stretched and wrapped and stitched, and it's easy to understand why it isn't feeling too perky. Nausea is an indication that your stomach lining is irritated.

Please be sure to get anti-nausea medication from your doctor if you don't already have it. Retching/vomiting is very hard on your healing wrap. You should be taking medication for your nausea. Your surgeon would not want you retching right now. I am 6 plus year post-Nissen surgery, and I always keep anti-nausea drugs handy, in case I get a stomach bug. Even once healed, severe vomiting and retching can do damage to your wrap/repair. I has Zofran for milder nausea, and when I have an all-out stomach virus, I use Compazine suppositories, and they work great.

Your light-headedness/diarrhea symptoms are most likely a result of dumping syndrome, which is common during recovery from stomach surgery. Here is a link to information regarding anti-dumping diet information:

gicare.com/diets/anti-dumping-post-gastrectomy-diet/

You need to stop worrying, and work on trying to surrender to your recovery and follow its lead. This stage of recovery isn't forever. Three weeks in a very short time into a recovery that takes six months for most of the healing and a year for the rest. Don't panic.

Stick around this forum, as there are others who have been where you are now, are now very happy with their results. I know it's hard, but try to relax, and give your body the time it needs to heal. Stress and worry will not speed your recovery, and may even impede it.

You WILL get through this! Hang in there!
Denise

PS...I've copy and pasted your post and my reply into a new thread so that it is easier for other members to find and contribute.
Posted 6/28/2015 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
LINDA SUE.

Sending you good karma don't worry you will be just fine.
I wish I was strong enough before I had this last surgery. I was told possible my blood clots where from my hysterectomy.
Don't worry you are in good hands, found you a wonderful surgeon. I am getting stronger ever day.
Have absoulutey no regrets so very happy that I had a 4 revision. Quality of life is very good.
I'm older now than when I started this problem. I've had acid reflux my whole life.
Please keep me posted after surgery. Waiting to hear all the good things.
Dorthy. yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn turn
Posted 6/28/2015 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dorthy,

I'm so sorry to hear about your blood clot problems! And to have them make it to your lungs must have been extra scary! I had one behind my knee six weeks after my foot surgery, but I had symptoms and treated it,so it didn't get to my lungs. They say that 50% of people with blood clots never have a single symptom until it hits the lung.

I'm so very glad to hear you're recovering well! You've been through way too much! Rest, relax, and heal!

Sending healing thoughts your way!
Wishing you the very best,
Denise
Posted 6/28/2015 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Linda Sue,

Good luck with your surgery next week! I'll be thinking of you and looking forward to hearing all about it when you feel up to posting again. I'll be ready to welcome you to the Wrapped Club! You'll do fine! I expect you've seen my early recovery journal by now, but just in case, here's the link:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

Take care, and best wishes!
Denise
Posted 6/28/2015 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Denise, thank you so much for posting back to me . You cheered me up and made me feel a lot better about everything . I really appreciate it , I just really hope I start to feel better again, I wish I could pass a normal bowel movement , I'm only going to the bathroom maybe once a week and that's when all hell breaks lose , I get so nsutious from the stomach /abdominal pains n then get really bad diahrea as well as the dry heaving for 8 hours at s time . I take the zofran but it doesn't seem to help when im thst sick . I'm just very scared it could be the vagal nerve . But also the surgeon thst did my surgery has done this surgery more than any other surgeon on the east coast n does a few hundred of these surgeries a year . I go back to see him on Thursday so I'm hoping I can get dome answers as to why this happening . I just really hope in time I feel oksy agsin . Thank you again for posting back to me Denise!!
Posted 6/28/2015 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Paul,

Believe me, I remember well what it was like to be where you are now. It WILL get better! Hang in there. Glad you're going to see your surgeon. That will help you get a better understanding and trust in what's going on.

Happy healing,
Denise

PS...here's a link to the new thread I started for you:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=3440992
Posted 6/29/2015 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
Dorothy & Denise,
Thank you both for your encouragement! Denise, yes I downloaded your journal long ago and have read it many times.

Dorothy, you sound like you are making a great recovery and I'm so glad for you!

Today, I will get a call telling me the time of my surgery tomorrow. Can't wait to get it done and get back home and start my recovery.

I will post again when I'm able to sit at the computer and put more than two thoughts together! turn
Posted 6/29/2015 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Linda Sue:

Good luck tomorrow, I'll be thinking about you!

Sharon
Posted 6/29/2015 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Linda Sue

Sending you get well wishes, please let us know how you are doing. Remember go slow and don't eat or drink to fast. Remember do what your body is telling you. I should post wonderful recipes for mash potato, you will find your new normal.
Yesterday I ate a green salad for the first time in over 3 years, yeah rome wasn't built in a day but is sure tasted good.
I will wait to hear how your doing, Love Dorthy
Posted 6/29/2015 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Sharon! I also have your posts that I read with many others I've downloaded from this wonderful site over the past few years!

Still waiting for that call ......

Dorothy: You were able to eat a green salad????????? OMG!! You are doing FABULOUS! I haven't been able to eat a green salad (without paying dearly for it) for about 6 months and I haven't yet HAD surgery! I would love your mashed potato recipe and I'm sure others would benefit! I love potatoes in all forms and was not successful buying cream of potato soup ... two stores didn't have ANY, so I guess I will have to make my own.

Thanks everyone for the support! I hope to be back in 2-3 days with good news!
Posted 6/29/2015 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
DEAR DENISE, had another horrible episode last night from around 12 midnight until - 6am while trying to make a bowel movement I had severe upper abdominal pain and I was retching pretty badly , I took a couple zofran and it didn't seem to help. Did you have any symptoms like this or have heard snybody with these type of symptoms? I'm almost a month out , would you consider this normal ? I talked to my surgeon today and he didn't seem to have much compassion and kinda just told me to " be patient" but I don't know how people could live like this. I really wish I never got this surgery because I feel like there's no light at the end of the tunnel. I wish I woukda did slot more research before getting this surgery but didn't realize bc I wasn't told the possible side effects of this surgery . I just really hope I start to feel better with time because this is terrible . Look forward to hearing back from you , thank you denise😊
Posted 6/29/2015 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Linda Sue,

Good luck tomorrow. You're READY and in a short time you'll be feeling better than you have in a such a long while. Take Denise's great advice to just go along with your recovery. Your body will do what it needs to. Don't fight it and you'll be alright.
Peg
Posted 6/30/2015 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Paul S:

You are only a month into your recovery and I think you are expecting too much from your body. I know you probably read the article on "dumping syndrome", but did you do any research before your surgery? Unfortunately, this is a slow recovery and I didn't really start to feel close to normal until about six months out, but this was reached weekly in very small steps. You have to stay positive and realize that most of us that had the surgery suffered from the same symptoms as you - you are not alone! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, you just need to be patient and realize that it won't happen overnight. Do you suffer from anxiety? Sometimes the anxiety kicks in and makes everything seem unbearable. If the nausea seems to be getting worse, talk to your surgeon about different alternatives. Ginger always helped me and there are the nausea bands that your can wear on your wrist, people buy them when they go on cruises. They are sold in drug stores and Amazon.

Good Luck, Sharon
Posted 6/30/2015 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Paul S

I'm Dorthy I've been in search of answers for over 14 years after the first Nissan fundoplication.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel you have to find a doctor that will listen and help.
For your nausea I've lived of saltine crackers, gingerale, and nausea meds if needed.

Things to remember you will never eat they way you did before this is a life changing operation, you will find a new normal to what your body will let you eat.
Don't get discouraged try and not throw up, stay on liquids and jello, you will do better in the long run.

Take baby steps your in the early stages of re learning of what to eat. Mashpotatoes and mushy food, and liquids.
Yes I ate a green salad but is was small with mushy veges no meat. I'm still am doing mushy and liquids my surgeon said no hard meat of bread.
My problem I still have esophageal spasm they can't get a handle on, I have a terrible breathy problem that never gets better with eating. I know it's not my blood clots they are getting smaller.

You will get real creative with what you eat and find you something good for liquids.
Stay strong young man,
Love Dorthy
Posted 6/30/2015 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Paul S

I forgot to tell you to get something for your bowels, with fiber and or stool softener.
You will get the bowels back and going.
Let your Gi doctor know your having problems and your surgeon they will help you.
Stay strong things will get better, some days will be better than others don't get discouraged.
Love dorthy
turn
Posted 6/30/2015 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Sharon , and Dorthy I was just bout to comment , I read your whole story last night and it seriously made me cry , you are such a strong person and I give you so much credit for fighting everyday and not giving up !! You are awesome and I am so happy to hear you are feeling better !! That's amazing , I just started taking mirolax last night in hope to get my bowels moving and working , I'm only about a month out and hoping to start feeling better around month 3 it sounds like . At this point I'm just hanging in there n trying to stay positive about the whole situstion . I got this surgery Bc esophageal cancer runs in my family n I hsve 3 young children ( twins -2 1/2 years old and a 6 month old ) n I want to live forever lol thank you so much for the post , it's nice to know there are others out there who can relate and want to help people !! I hope you are feeling better Dorothy , looking forward to hearing from you ! Hope u have a good day today 😃
Posted 7/1/2015 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Paul S

My words of wisdom is what might work for me might not work for you. What ever you do don't give up I've seen so many doctors and they would always tell me nothing wrong go home.

Gi doctors have a weird prodacol so if one doctor doesn't listen go to a new doctor.

Try getting liquid kiefer yougurt, lots a gingerale let it go flat, and saltine crackers. The last 4 years have been tuff but that's when you get your family to help.
Remember your your own doctor go slow, and remember start eating different. You will be just fine.
Stay strong and your doing this for those kids. Remember for the 4th of july eat soft fruit, soft food.
Dorthy
Posted 7/3/2015 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dorothy, Denise, Sharon Z, JanPeg,
Thanks for your good wishes! I'm back home after having surgery at 7:30am Tuesday and was home by 7pm Wednesday. No sleep, of course! I had a full Laprascopic Nissen Fundoplication and have 5 small incisions. I will be on a clear liquid diet for 2 weeks, and have my follow-up with my surgeon on July 20th. They will take another chest x-ray to check the wrap. (They took a chest x-ray later on the day of surgery).

I was able to leave the hospital the day after surgery, only if I could urinate and the doctor thought I was ready. I could NOT spend another night in the hospital! Too busy, noisy and too much LIGHT! So I was able to pee, YES!!

My surgeon did not allow anything by mouth for 24 hours after surgery! I heard that this helps the wrap heal faster as those first 24 hours with nothing to stress it are very important. That was ROUGH and my nurse brought mouth swabs several times as I was so parched! I'm used to drinking a lot of water and it has already been 12 hours before surgery since I had anything by mouth.

I was also on dilaudid through IV and was getting anti-nausea meds shots (no it didn't hurt). My abdomen is swollen to twice it's normal size and makes wearing clothes difficult, but I'm managing. I don't need to be anywhere! I finally got a full 6 hours of sleep last night in between 'time to take meds', at 1:30am and 5:30am so it makes getting a full 7-8 hours impossible for awhile and I just can't sleep during the day, at least not yet. So today is my 3rd day after surgery and the neck and shoulder pain were totally gone yesterday. I didn't have that for too long.

I am able to burp and hiccup. I am on Norco (Vicoden), a stool softener, a muscle relaxant and an anti-nausea drug for 10 days. My diet is liquid for 10 days. I don't have much of an appetite so it's difficult to get much in my tummy. I am consuming apple juice, prune juice, mango juice, jello, popcicles, and water. Today, I believe I will be able to increase my intake as my tummy is 'growling' like it wants more than it's getting, LOL! My husband made coffee this morning and it smelled so good, but I can't have any of that for awhile due to the stimulant content. Yes, I told my hubby to make coffee if he wanted it. He has been my 'rock'.

I'm a bit 'loopy' from meds so I hope I don't repeat myself. I found it difficult to walk very far. In the hospital, I walked down the hall and back, and since being home, up and down my driveway (driveway is long), and across the front of the house and then I'm totally pooped. I got myself in shape for this surgery, too! I'm sure glad I did seeing how weak I am now. I know it will take time for healing and I've scheduled the entire month of July OFF. I am following doctors' orders to the letter and if I need to be off more than 4 weeks, I will do it. My quality of life for my entire future rests on how well I recover from this important surgery. I have had no acid meds as my doctor said I wouldn't need them anymore! It's still early and I'm in pain but I believe my days of acid reflux are OVER.

I had an endoscopy just before surgery and today, my throat and chest are still sore and I can't talk for too long as it hurts! I guess this is normal??

Well, this is a long enough read and I'm gonna take a break. Thanks to all of you for your support, and Dorothy, I know it's early in your recovery and you are doing amazing! Paul, I hope all this info is helpful for you to get your recovery on track.

I'll keep in touch. Denise, I will join the 'wrapped' club after my July 20th doctor check-up as I will know much more than I do now, so soon after surgery.
Posted 7/3/2015 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
I am so happy for you Linda ! Glad everything went well , get your rest and heal up !! I had a question for everybody .. At 4 weeks out did any of you guys still hsve trouble getting food down ? I noticed I'm still choking on my foods ( mashed potatoes, Popsicles , tuna fish etc ? ) is this normal as it is still early in my recovery ? I'm pretty much still dticking to the soft diet . Everybody hsve a great holiday weekend ! Looking forward to hearing from you guys 😊
Posted 7/4/2015 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Linda Sue - what great news! It sounds like you're doing so well. You'll be tired for a while so get all the rest you need. My first two weeks home I was like a newborn- I'd eat some broth or later, mashed potatoes, and then fall asleep for hours! When I'd eat the next time, I'd fall asleep all over again. My voice was weak and cracked a lot the first week, too. I think it was from the gastro-nasal tube they used in surgery. My doc had them leave it in over night and removed it the following morning when he saw me. The voice clears up pretty quickly and isn't anything to worry about, I think.
For now, take it easy, follow your Dr.'s instructions and let your husband fuss over you!
Peg
Paul, I'm at around 6 or 7 weeks and eating pretty much whatever I want but there are definitely things that are slow going down. Like most, the toughest so far has been bread so I avoid those things I learn are tough for me for a while but sometimes when I try one of my challengers, it isn't bad the next time. A little experimenting works pretty well. Sticking to soft foods isn't a bad strategy but it is limiting.
Posted 7/4/2015 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Paul S,
Thank you. I'm on the mend! If you are choking on foods, perhaps you need to back up to some thinner liquid nutrition and take in small amounts. Swallow slowly and try not to take in air. Just my thoughts.

It's early in my recovery and although I'm still on clear liquids, I have some issues with my after-surgery pills. They don't want to go down easily. I just can't figure out why I couldn't get meds in liquid, soft gel liqui-gel or patches! What is wrong with the pharma companies? Dah!

JanPeg,
Thanks! I'm green with envy that you could SLEEP! That is my big issue. My GERD was so bad before surgery that I had been taking Tylenol PM every night to get 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Now, after surgry, none of that .. I already asked the doctor and he doesn't want me taking sleep meds on top of all the other meds. I haven't had a decent nights' sleep since Sunday, June 28th! My med times forces me to wake up at 1:30am and 5:30am to take. Then, one more at 7:30am. Then it's light outside and I'm fully awake. I've tried to nap in the afternoon but can't drift off even for 20 minutes. I take a walk and try to tire myself out but sleep just evades me. I never had sleep problems until I had GERD so bad over the past year.

I had chest pain and problems with my voice before surgery, so I'm concerned that I have more healing to do than others who have had this surgery. It is frustrating because I just can't get on the phone with anyone as it hurts to talk. Just before surgery, I also had an EGD and I was told I would have a breathing tube placed, as well but that was gone when I woke. JanPeg, I've read in so many places that bread is the most difficult to handle after this surgery. I had problems with bread before surgery so I'm staying well away from it for a long time.

I'll be in touch; take good care everyone!
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