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My Fundoplication with Hiatal Hernia repair journey

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Posted 10/15/2015 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I'm 17 and for the last week I had a thread leading up to my surgery but now it's done, I decided to make a new one to chart my recovery. My surgery was 10/14/15 and lasted approximately two hours. When I woke up from the anesthesia, my chest hurt really awful and I kept saying "Mom" and "Pain" (I'm only 17). They finally brought my mom back into the pediatric recovery room and gave me morphine in my IV. They gave me a little morphine 3 times but it didn't even touch the pain that was a "10" on the pain chart. They ended up paging an anesthesiologist who gave me some strong narcotic that started with a D- I don't remember what it was but it worked and after 3 little doses and some water I went up to my hospital room, which was a double with no roommate. I'll post more of my story later- I'm home now and resting.
Posted 10/16/2015 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Don't worry readingclaygirl, people do all sorts of things coming out of anesthetic, apparently I tried to punch a nurse coming out of it once :S it was ok though it was a pretty weak punch.

Hopefully your pain settles down. Some people have higher sensitivity to pain than others. Take it easy and look after yourself!
Posted 10/16/2015 9:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hope ur recovery goes well and they have given enough pain killers to be getting on with. Linda Sue has had some issues with the pain after the surgery so might be able to offer some advice.

Keep us updated on how you're getting on.
Posted 10/16/2015 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you both. The night in the hospital was okay- pretty painful. Hot packs really helped the nerve pain and they ended up giving me Torodol and Precoset for the pain. I was really surprised at how bloated I was- I couldn't even buckle my pants when I was discharged. There was a bit of a mix up with the hospital and my pain medication prescription but thankfully that got figured out after 4 hours. I ate broth, jello and apple juice yesterday and had a little pudding today. One of the worst pain locations is my breasts. I don't know why but they hurt.
Posted 10/17/2015 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
My incisions are closed with surgical glue and the one on my belly button must not have closed well because it popped open in the night. I covered it with gauze to keep it clean. There isn't any blood or discharge from it. Everytime I swallow I get pain in the lower portion of my throat and then it sometimes feels like I'm going to choke. I'm assuming this is the trouble swallowing people describe.
Posted 10/18/2015 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, Readingclaygirl - go slowly and don't get distracted when you drink or eat. Things are bound to be sore for a while; its all part of what your body has been through. I take it you're home again?

Sorry your belly button incision opened; you might want to let your Dr. know about that. The first few weeks are crucial for preventing infection at your incision sites.

Hope you are able to nap during the day; it helps the hours pass. I'm sorry your 'Girls' are painful. Maybe you want to mention that when you mention your open incision.

You will probably be 'bloated' for a while. I was for three or four months. You will probably get your figure back sooner. (I'm old....)

We are all thinking of you and wishing you the best on your recovery!

Fresh Greens
Posted 10/18/2015 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
That pain has disappeared. I am home, have been since Thursday. The bizarre thing now is I have this weird feeling of heat in my chest. I barely ate anything today, just a tiny bit of Jello and apple juice. Today seemed worse than yesterday.
Posted 10/18/2015 10:18 AM (GMT 0)
You will feel some strange feelings around your chest area, don't forget you have had a surgeon rummaging around in there, as well as the gas, and tying your stomach up.

Definitely check with your doctor if its concerning you, even if its nothing, knowing that will put your mind at ease and your state of mind plays a big part in your recovery too. How much did your belly button split open? You should have that looked at, they might need to glue it again or throw a stitch in, if nothing else it will stop it from healing funny.

I hope the rest of your recovery goes well.
Posted 10/18/2015 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
My belly button didn't split open that much, and it looks pretty closed now. But my mom(I'm a teenager) is calling the surgeon tomorrow just to check. My surgery was Wednesday and the doctor who did rounds(not my surgeon) said I can go back to school on Monday while my surgeon had previously said 7 days after surgery. We are going to ask about that but I think I need a few more days.
Posted 10/18/2015 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah don't push yourself, everyone is different and thats just a guide.

My belly button split a little after both of my surgeries, it just means that the scar is probably gonna be a bit wider and less likely to fade away.

Take care!
Posted 10/24/2015 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry for not posting. I'm now 10 days post op and finally feeling better! This past week was the roughest one of my life. The level of pain was excruciating. The surgeon didn't help as he forgot to give me the post op directions of swallowing liquid every 15 minutes and taking MiraLax and stool softener. I learned of the directions on Tuesday when my mom called because my pain was so high. For 3 days, all I could get down was apple juice and even that hurt. On Thursday I was able to have some ice cream and now I'm having ice cream and milkshakes with protein powder. Hopefully I'll be able to progress my diet at the two week mark. I go for a follow up with the surgeon on Tuesday. 3 of the 5 incisions are completely closed and seem to be fading even though they still are slightly swollen. The 4th one is almost to this point. The fifth incision has not closed yet even though all the surgical glue flacked off days ago. This isn't the same incisions that had previously split open. I'll have to see what the doctor says. I'm really hoping I'm over the hump and it will be smooth sailing as I'm back to school Monday.
Posted 10/25/2015 7:53 AM (GMT 0)
Good to hear you're feeling better, did they not give you any strong pain killers for the pain? Where is the pain is it at the wrap or shoulders?
Posted 10/25/2015 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
No I was on a narcotic painkiller, it was a combination of codine and acetaminophen. It just didn't really work. The pain was in my chest and at the wrap site.
Posted 10/25/2015 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Oh wow those are really weak, I have them and they barely even help normal heartburn so not surprised they don't give u much relief. If it's still a problem I'd ask them for something stronger.
Posted 10/26/2015 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
That sucks, post surgery I've always had tramadol and codiene for at least the first week. Glad you're through it now t though.

Take it easy and don't over do things especially in these early days, it's better to take it slow and not rush to get back to a normal diet.

Hope you do OK back at school
Posted 10/26/2015 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, can't believe they weren't strong. The pain is pretty much controled by Advil now. I couldn't even make it through the whole school day, my backpack is way too heavy. We are going to figure out a way to make it work.
Posted 10/26/2015 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
U shouldnt be carrying a backpack for months, no lifting anything over 5kgs especially the first few weeks. I'd ask a teacher can u keep ur books at school and collect each one when u need. If it's all too difficult then I'd just take more time off school
Posted 10/26/2015 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
The plan is that my sister who drives me to school will carry my bag into the nurse's office, where I will leave it, coming between classes to get my binders. I was also given an elevator pass just to make things easier. This is an issue I really didn't anticipate. I see my surgeon tomorrow, he might have some ideas.
Posted 10/27/2015 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
I had a successful post op appointment today. My diet has progressed! I had some pumpkin purée and it was really good. And I get mashed potatoes and gravy later!!! The doctor said I can carry my backpack now, as long as I use the school elevator for the next two weeks. And I return to gym class on November 30th.
Posted 10/27/2015 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Get well! keep us posted about your progress. Best of luck!!!
Posted 10/28/2015 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
I will. Thanks
Posted 10/28/2015 9:38 AM (GMT 0)
Woohoo sounds like your recovery is going along nicely!

I just found out today that I have reached the end of my options with medications so surgery is on the horizon and its good to see some positive outcomes, because I am freaking out, which I'm sure you were too before having it.
Posted 10/28/2015 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. I was freaking out quite a bit. It hasn't been easy to say the least, some of the worst pain of my life has been from this surgery. But I'm 2 weeks post op and I don't regret having it. Just know the pain is excruciating. I didn't realize how painful it would be.
Posted 10/29/2015 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
Ugh. I have been having diarrhea and I don't know if it's normal. My mom's calling the surgeon's office. I just can't miss anymore school
Posted 10/29/2015 1:56 PM (GMT 0)

Readingclaygirl said...
Ugh. I have been having diarrhea and I don't know if it's normal. My mom's calling the surgeon's office. I just can't miss anymore school


Do not worry - from what I read this is likely to be normal - do talk to the doctor of course.
And from your previous posts - can you just take some time from school - couple of more weeks? you've had a major surgery, so school should not be the top priority now.
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