Nissen Fonduplocation - My Story

I read a lot on her about this surgery before I went for mine. I was scheduled for it for over a month before I had it, so I had a lot of time to research (this was good and bad). I was very scared and extremely nervous that it would not work.

I had my surgery one week ago (9/1/2015).

The first night was rough. I had read a lot about the shoulder pain some people had, but I had no clue how much that could hurt. I had had my gallbladder out last November and I had mild shoulder discomfort with that. I thought that was what I was going to have. Wow, was I wrong. It hurt so bad I almost dropped to the floor a few times just trying to go to the bathroom. everyone kept telling me I needed to walk, but that was much easier said then done. They kept me full of fluids which kept me having to pee every hour. That was enough walking for me. When I was laying in bed, I felt okay. sore, but for the most part okay.

They wanted to send me home from the hospital the next day. I was still having a lot of pain and did not feel comfortable going home. I think god was on my side for this one. Even though my doctor told me in the morning I could stay if I wanted to the nurse told me no I had to go home. Well, I was upset, my family was frustrated and my husband was extremely upset. They were getting ready to process me out and I spiked a fever. It was the only time I registered a temperature, so I say god decided I was not supposed to go home yet.

I felt much better the next day. I still had some shoulder pain, but the more I walked and sat up at that point the faster it went away. So, I guess they may have been right, but it was making me sick to my stomach it hurt so bad the day before. I ended up going home about 6 PM this day still on a full liquid diet.

Over the next few days, I stayed on the full liquid diet. I slept in my chair (only because my husband is a snuggler). Starting Sunday 9/6, I added some foods to my diet. I added eggs first. Over the next couple of days, I have added fish, baked potatoes, peas, oatmeal and a few other things. The only things that have not seemed to agree with me are ice cream and coffee with creamer.

I have lost 14lbs in one week. I can only eat a couple of ounces in a sitting at this point. I had and still have more weight to lose, so this is not bothering me. I am eating until I am not hungry instead of eating until I am full. I am trying to make this a rest of my life change.

Overall, I am very happy I decided to do this. I still seem to be having throat issues, but it does not feel the same. I think I just need to allow some healing time. I have slept through the night for the first time in years. No waking up coughing and choking. Grasping for anything that can help me breath.

I will add more as I progress, but wanted to get my first week in notes done before I forgot anything.

Hi Andy.

I have not had any more shoulder pain since about day 4 or 5.

On day ten now. I am still losing weight. I am adding more foods everyday. I am going out to eat tonight. I am picking a place that I know will work with me on what I can eat.

I am 3 weeks pot op now. Things are progressing slowly.

Weight- I have lost 20 lbs

Pain - I have not had much since the 5th. I am dealing with a lot of gas the last 2 days, but I think that was from the onion I had in my frtied rice the other night and for lunch yesterday.

Food- I am able to eat a lot. So far, I have not tried fresdh veggies. Steak and chicken get stuck. I have not tried bread yet (except for toast). I can eat pasta, rice, moist pork, pulled pork. Basically soft and moist is the best.

Exercise - fic has me on strict orders to only walk. No other exercise. So, I walk 3 mileß every night after work (started a week ago).

My throat is feeling better every day.

I am still so happy to be feeling so much better.

4 weeks post op.

Weight - down 22lbs

Pain - I am becoming much more aware of what foods give me gas. I have had some mild stomach discomfort, but I think that is from doing a little more than I should. I have to keep reminding myself that I am only 4 weeks out from a fairly major surgery and I don't want to do anything to mess this up.

Food - This is getting better and better. Still staying away from anything on the don't have list for the Nissen soft diet. Mostly eating rice, potatoes, ground meet, melons, yogurt, rice krispies and cheez-its (now becoming my favorite salty snack). Ground meat has been the easiest for me to digest. I am eating about 1 cup at a time now (probably closer to 3/4 cup)

exercise - still on a walk only routine. Unfortunately it was pouring the last 2 nights so I have not gotten any walking in this week. I cannot wait to be able to use my home equipment again, but will wait for my next follow up (October 23rd) before I try anything.

Overall, still feel this is a success and so worth it. I am sleeping way better, I can walk up hills and steps without choking and maybe best of all (okay not really, but it makes me happy ) I can drink my flavored coffee again. Mmmmm...pumpkin spice.

That sucks to hear, your recovery seemed to be going so well. Hopefully its not a sign that the wrap hasn't worked. Perhaps its a part of the healing process? Your throat and respiratory tract still needs to heal as well now that its not being continuously irritated, but maybe something (non-reflux related I mean) has temporarily irritated it again and flared things up. Did you ever find antihistamines to help, especially with the nasal symptoms?

I'm suprised you're taking ibuprofen considering its contraindicated in GERD and Asthma, though I must say I never had issues with it re my Asthma, but it drives my acid through the roof.

quote="Marthemar"]From what my doctors said and from my tests, I was not having a lot of issues with acid, but more with the fluids and food being pushed back up my esophagus. Never had any heartburn or anything like that. Acid reducers did nothing for me.

I talked it through with my doctor last night. I had an asthma attack while walking last Wednesday when it was pretty cold out here. We think that irritated my throat which is not yet healed. I take ibuprofen sparingly, but sometimes it is the only thing that works to get the swelling down in my throat. For now, I am trying a throat spray. If that does not work, I have to call back and get a prescription strength swisher. If that doesn't work then I am going to go see an ENT. So far, I think it is getting better again and it is way different now than it was before surgery. Before surgery I would not have been able to do anything while this was going on. I walked 4 miles last night and it actually felt better while I was walking.

I still feel the surgery worked, I think my body just has a lot of healing left to do.

I have not tried just an antihistamine, I will give that a shot. Thanks!!

Well that sounds promising, hopefully it resolves soon. I heard today that the Mucinex nasal spray is supposed to be really good for GERD/LPR related nasal issues.

Was your asthma affected by your reflux before the surgery? I only ask because mine gives me an insane hacking cough, shortness of breath etc. that all seem very reminiscent of when I had asthma but I have been in two minds as to whether what is going on at the moment is a flare up of asthma, or if its more related to irritation of my throat.

Hmm that sounds quite similar to mine, so I'll be watching your progress closely!

Its good that your throat is feeling better again now, must be a relief for you.

I was reading something the other day that said the damage done to the upper respiratory tract can take about 3-6 months to heal, I guess thats because its even less equip to handle the reflux than your esophagus is. But fingers crossed for more progress for you!

Well, I guess it is time to call the ENT. I am sitting here at 3 am not able to go back to sleep because I am choking. Until now it has not been as bad as it was before surgery. Tonight it is. I am so frustrated right now.

Thank you. I have an appointment with an ENT tomorrow morning. I wouldn't worry to much about losing weight. You will probably lose, but most people that are not trying to keep it off by some means seem to gain it back.

ENT did a scope of my nose and throat. He said it looks good. He said things are healing. He is having me checked for allergies and want me to use a humidifier at night and a nasal steroid for 2 weeks. he thinks everything is getting dried out because we are using the heat now. Which is aggravating the already damaged throat.

If this does not work he wants me to have nasal surgery. He said my nose is extremely crooked (must just be on the inside because it looks good to me...). This i causing my noise to not be able to help moisten my throat much when I breath.

So, I continue on trying to get things to heal. I know this is a long process, so I will try to have some more patience.....

Marthemar said...
ENT did a scope of my nose and throat. He said it looks good. He said things are healing. He is having me checked for allergies and want me to use a humidifier at night and a nasal steroid for 2 weeks. he thinks everything is getting dried out because we are using the heat now. Which is aggravating the already damaged throat.

If this does not work he wants me to have nasal surgery. He said my nose is extremely crooked (must just be on the inside because it looks good to me...). This i causing my noise to not be able to help moisten my throat much when I breath.

So, I continue on trying to get things to heal. I know this is a long process, so I will try to have some more patience.....

Its hard to not want it to hurry up and just heal already so impatience is totally understandable!

Thats interesting about the heat and dryness, have you tried using a saline nasal spray when you are having problems? The reflux really dries out my sinuses and I find that helps, maybe it could give you some temporary relief?

8 weeks post op

Weight - Down 33 lbs

Pain - none really to speak of

Diet - I have been cleared to eat what I want. I am keeping to small portions and planning to for the rest of my life. I eat about a cup of food now before it starts to get uncomfortable. I have been able to eat steak with no issues. Most breads are okay at this point. Some are uncomfortable as they go down, but they do not get stuck anymore.

Exercise - I have been cleared to exercise more, but due to my throat issues (and now allergies to most stuff outside - weed, grass, pollen, etc..) I have been staying in doors. Initially, I walked in place, but I got a stepper and have been using it to exercise. It gives me a pretty good workout and as long as I don't go at to fast of a pace it does not bother my throat.

Throat issues - I am still having throat issues. I am having surgery for a deviated septum on Wednesday next week. The ENT says not being able to breath through my nose right is causing me to breath through my mouth which is causing my throat to dry out which is making the healing go very slowly. I know it won't be a cure, but I am hoping it helps get me on the path to having my throat healed.

Overall, since this started I am down 51 lbs. Since (according to the bmi charts) I had almost 100 to lose, I am very happy with this. I feel great and am very glad I did the surgery. If I could just get my throat cleared up, I might be the happiest person in the world...

Thanks jenagade. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated on how everything goes. I am hoping for the best outcome for you.