Recent Nissen Fundoplication

I just recently had a Fundoplication surgery and small hiatal hernia repair.. it has been 3.5 weeks since the surgery.. I have already met with the surgeons assistant and she was very helpful but said a lot of the recovery is dependent on how my body recovers, which I understand. I am still taking prilosec 20 mg per day and an occasional Zantac (about every 4 of five days) My concern is that I have gas like there is no tomorrow.. and it is embarrassing and really can hurt bad... Is this normal? I have just started eating chicken cut into small pieces and some fish and an assortment of other items.. I chew very very carefully and eat small bites. I also don't eat more than a cup per eating.. I have had this gas since the surgery and was told that some people have this more than others.. Aside from Beano and Gas X what else can I do?? I also take psyllium twice a day to keep me sorta normal.. I have other questions but will ask them later.. thanks

+1 what Linda sue said. i am 5 months out, and can clear a building, within 20 min after eating. that being said, i disappear until it passes. you have to get used to a new normal, for now. even now its a balance as to what my stomach will allow, it still lets me know, whose boss. hang in there.

Post Edited (aero1) : 1/5/2016 5:54:11 PM (GMT-7)

any meat could take awhile, you need to be very careful there. chew extremely well. try a little and see what your stomach says, if it works great, if not try again in a week. as a matter of fact, that is how i handle all food at this point. hope this helps.

no interestingly enough, this whole thing started, with random shortness of breath, that over about a 6 month period, got worse and became more prevalent. than came the chest pain, as they were discovering the hernia, and it was a large one. so 5 months latter i am still in recovery mode. but acid reflex for me was never an issue, for me.

I had a giant hernia, so they had to go in and make the repair. I know what you mean about weirdness, in your throat, it takes time. just stay hydrated, chew, chew. and do not overeat.

KBMcCool

Have you tried a humidifier? That might help with your dry throat. The gas, unfortunately, is normal. I had my Nissen in 2014, and am not able to belch, so the gas has only one way to exit. Hopefully, that will start to subside soon for you. Also, try and avoid foods that cause gas and don't drink from a straw.

Sharon

Hello KBMcCool, the surgeon should be able to guide you about stopping the PPI medication. Some want you to continue through the healing process and some tell you to stop just before surgery. Each one is different and have their preferences for specific reasons. There is the known thing of "rebound" when PPI are stopped. The body puts out extra acid to make up for the loss of it while on the medicine. There is a topic about it on the forum.

We were able to stop the medicine by titration get down VERY SLOWLY. It involved breaking/opening the capsule and using 3/4 for about three weeks, then half, then thirds then quarters then eighths. We were on Prevacid capsules and purchased empty capsules at the health food store. It worked after quite a few months. It allowed the body to adjust very slowly and back to normal secretion of acids. Maybe this might be helpful to you with the dr guidance. If you want, type the topic in the search engine above or google the topic. There is lots of info about it. When we asked our dr about it, he was unfamiliar. I gave him journal copies to read. The next visit he was telling us about rebound after we told him about it. We all learn from each other. If you are already familiar with this then I apologize. Just trying to be helpful. Please know that healing takes at least a year, and I truly feel that you have to eat properly-- probably the way we should have been eating .wish you well and feel sad that you are having concerns. Pat