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nissen surgery and hiatal hernia repair

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Posted 11/7/2015 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, my name is greg, I had my gall bladder removed in March 2015. This did not fix the problem with abdominal pain left side, and chest pain and back pain that was associated with eating. After having several test , the doctor , found a small hiatal hernia. I was wondering if any one else experiences back pain with hernia and GERD!! .I would get super bad chest pain right at STERNUM when I bended down or sat... I had Nissen surgery and hiatal hernia repair OCT 8th 2015 and is about a month out. It feels like the food is going down better lately, soft foods, ie mashed potatoes, eggs and just started eating some pasta....and very small pieces of meat. I've also eat lot's of ice cream....lol...helps keep the weight on. I still get this airrry feeling in my esophagus that runs up my throat, it doesn't hurt and I can't feel GERD coming up. I'm dealing with that ok and think it will go away. The thing that really still gives me pain is chest area about an inch or two above the sternum and the pain radiates to the back. Does any one else have these symptom? I think it might be my diapghram still healing? The pain also is super bad and goes away after about ten minutes, when I bend over and put pressure on abdominal muscles. OH and I have Barrets...I never really felt Heart burn but my doctor thinks I had this for over tweny years and I never paid attention to my body. I'm confident I'll recover, I'm super active and this has been slowing me down. I'm still not working because of the demands of my physical job... shake n bake, GK

Post Edited (gksmooth) : 11/8/2015 7:32:43 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/8/2015 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
I am coming on three months, post surgery, pain in my chest comes and goes, not nearly as bad, pre surgery. I had a very large hernia, that was affecting one lung, and delivering substantial pressure and pain. I will take a 500 mg Tylenol as needed, was cleared to start working out i.e. strength exercises, so I am optimistic this will help. but will not be pushing real hard [ those days are over] just want to stay in shape.
Posted 11/8/2015 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
the chest pain comes frm eatting? and do you have pain from bending? what type of food are you eating? did you have back pain of any sort?.....

Post Edited (gksmooth) : 11/8/2015 12:36:43 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/8/2015 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Greg - I am just starting week 6, I too get the same pains you describe from eating. I try to stop eating just before ... It's hard to explain, but I can kind of feel it just before it starts. I have found that if I eat until I feel full, it's too late and I am in for pain and will need Tylenol and possibly toridol as well.

I am eating mashed potatoes, carrots, sweet potato, pasta (over cooked) little meat - seems like every time I do, I end up feeling terrible. I also purée fruits with yogurt and protein powder. I am eating a lot of peanut butter, soft cheese, eggs and rice pudding. I try eating baby food while on the road, but even those are hard to manage staying within the "allowed" foods.

You may find that starting about week 5 your stomach may spasm after the food reaches it - 2 min or so after swallowing. It's not nauseating, just a little uncomfortable and unsuspecting. Just go with it, it passes usually without any meds.

I asked my surgeon about the pain in the diaphragm and he didn't think much of it - it was stitched up to close the hernia - why it acts up from eating - I don't know. Maybe someone else can give us some experience.

Keep in touch - we are very close in our recovery.

Ps - was your surgery done open or laparoscopically?
Posted 11/8/2015 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
What's your name? The back pain I've had since December---The doctors missed the hiatal hernia but my surgeon found it. Pretty sure it's from the diampgram and I still have pain in the sternum after I eat...not super bad but pain then goes to the back---it seems to be getting better!!! I do get a belly ache usually late in the afternoon, not sure what's associated with. I do have a headache also on right side, not super bad, some muscle twitching in my legs, and other spots in the body. But these seem to be going away since surgery. Do you feel discomfort when you bend over in surgery site---sometimes the pain is super bad but goes away when I lay down. Not ready for work. I walk lot's and really enjoy this, I'm super active in my everyday life. I don't feel sick at all.....I do hear plenty of noises in the GI track....go ducks
Posted 11/9/2015 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Greg - you can call me Shelly

Lots of wierdness hey? So let me start with headache - right side more in my neck into the base of my head, and only became prominent in the last few days. Bending over - yes pain at surgical sites. I still have bruising/stabbing pain on left side, especially if I try lying on that side. And pain in sternum after eating or once I'm tired.

As for work, I was scheduled to go back this past Monday - when I met with my surgeon on the 27th of Oct I asked for an additional two weeks. Tomorrow is the beginning of my last week for recoup. I am still concerned about returning as I will be very busy and need to be "on", as I am scheduled to give many briefings, training, conduct readiness assessments and also write a few exams to show my knowledge and use of French.

I too don't feel sick but do tire easily and it displays itself as pain in the diaphragm that radiates to the back. I still cannot sport a brassiere for over a few hours yet. Work could prove interesting, non?

It is definitely a longer recovery than I had anticipated, thank goodness we can whine to each other, I believe my family is tired of listening ;-)
Posted 11/9/2015 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Oh! And the GI gurgling........ Hahaha - have you started with the rear? My sons are making fun and grading me on tone! 🙀😳
Posted 11/9/2015 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Shelley, ur funny--keep the humor going! There's a facebook nissen group I've just found some support there. They have files that help with symptoms and people report medical information. The group shows it's closed but like or try to become a member and they have someone there who respond. I received plenty of information there. My name is greg kastel from Eugene Oregon. You might find it on my fb like group, not sure if you can find it ---ie people who I'm not friends with. I've been dealing with pain for almost a year and I think I'm starting to recover, but have weirdness going with GI---air coming up, but I think surgery is keeping the acid down and things are healing. I have a physical job and pretty active so it's slowing me down big time. I to try to lay of my side when laying down because of pain. GK


lapro...yea...I had six inscions---they healed pretty quick..
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