Living with fundiplication......

I am inspired and reassured by all of the posts I have been reading......most of which are dated 2-4 years ago. I am hoping that a new thread will bring those folks back with updates......I read all of several "diaries" that were posted-but they just stopped one day-would love to hear updates.
My surgery was 10 weeks ago......I have gone from being scared to depressed to relieved........hope to hear about other journeys as you go from month to month (6 months is often mentioned) to over a year with changing aches, pains and eating habits.

Hello Ringer4-It is good to hear that you have a positive attitude. I, too, felt somewhat better at about the one month mark.........prior to that I cried and cried and felt that I was making matters worse by not being able to even handle taking prescription meds or a multi vitamin.... I didn't feel that I had enough vitamins or liquids in my body. By recently reading previous posts, I can see that the different stages I went thru are "normal" and can't be rushed. To read over and over again that many individuals are still experiencing changes between 6 months and one year is fascinating. Did your surgeon give you some ideas as to how to introduce non-liquid foods back into your diet?

at 4-6 months, I was able to settle in and except, the new normal. eating, gets better, although you still have to be very wise, and exercise quantity control. at six months I realize, that I am better than I was, but will still have to deal with, post surgical changes, that may have lasting impacts. such as tightness in my chest, due to the large hernia I had. its a hard, and challenging recovery. but it does happen.

Ringer4 - No, I have not had spasms of my esophagus.....I do know how scary some of the physical stuff that goes along with this procedure can be. I think that the pre op info shared with surgeons would be VASTLY different if they had had the procedure themselves. It seems very easy for them to say that you will just have a liquid diet, for instance, with no thought given to the ramifications. Within 24 hours of my surgery, while in the hospital, I was expected to swallow my prescribed meds - WHOLE PILLS - with no thought to the fact that I was only to have liquids. I stayed in a hotel near the MD as I lived 2 hours away.....and it was about two days later that we went to a drug store to purchase liquid Tylenol and liquid ibuprophen........which should have been available to me while still in the hospital. about a week after that, feeling like I was getting NO vitamins in my system due to eating jello and yogurt and drinking only juice, I found a liquid multi-vitamin at a health food store. With these three options, I felt better, tho I still had to fight my prescription meds!

I am so glad that your surgeon suggested liquids and puree.....hopefully that has meant that you have had no episodes of throwing up. On the 2 hour+ trip home, we had to stop to let me throw up my meds as they were "stuck" at the band and I could not swallow water or anything at that point. Very traumatic. At about 4 weeks, I was able to eat foods that completely broke down when chewing chewing chewing each bite-that included soft white fish and some boiled vegetables. I actually put a clock on the table and waited 20+ seconds between tiny bites. Helped to keep the food moving in the right direction!

Just to let you know - I understand the tears. I cried alot the first couple of weeks, wishing I had never had the need for the surgery.....wishing that there was some other way for me to get relief. Haven't cried for about a month now, so that is an improvement!

No throwing up thankfully although I have been nauseous at times. I can't burp yet either. Sometimes I get little hic cup type reflex but no gas comes out. I was also given my prescription meds to take after surgery. Fortunately they were tiny. I got them down but it was still hard.

Thank you for the nausea med name. I will be sure to pick some up I haven't had too much trouble with gas so far but then I haven't been eating much. I go back to work this week after 4 weeks off and I am hoping to avoid the embarrassing gas in the office.

Ringer4-Wishing you a good day at work today. Take it as easy as possible and eat slowly!

Noisynellie my surgeon gave me restrictions of no more than 10 lbs up to the 15 th of April then no more than 15 for 6 months. Problematic in my job as I work with infants to preschoolers in addition to my desk job. I am determined to avoid lifting though. I have a meeting today so I am easing in easy. Thanks!!

It took me 6 months to eat comfortably. Try not to worry too much. I'd consider my surgery a disaster though everyone is different.

noisynellie my first day back was pretty easy, half day but I am tired. As my job involves a lot of paperwork I won't be going to any classrooms the rest of the week. I have to play catch up anyway. I will cut back to half days if needed for the rest of the week. We have spring break next week so I will have an additional week off. The teachers I work with all know about my surgery so they understand my weight restrictions. I'm beginning to feel that all will be fine. I remain hopeful and optimistic.

Prescreening what's happening in you recovery?