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post op fundoplication complications

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Posted 3/17/2016 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I had the nissen fundoplication in November 2014 & I have just been miserable ever since. I have not felt well a single day since the surgery :( I am also thinking of having it undone soon once I find the right surgeon. These are my current symptoms: extreme fatigue, horrible nausea, bloating (with inability to belch/vomit, it's terrible), flatulence, constipation, light headedness, dizziness, no appetite.

Does anyone else go through any of these after fundoplication? If I knew I was trading 1 reflux symptom withal range of other worse symptoms I would never have had this awful surgery. Any insight would really help as it has been too long since the surgery way past the normal recovery period!

Best,
Sam.
Posted 3/17/2016 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
So sorry to hear about your difficulties, Sam! I have many of these same symptoms but am only 5 days post-op. I am feeling a bit better each day -- I wish you were too.

Please speak with your doctor. Perhaps there is an underlying issue, like anemia, which can cause exhaustion and dizziness, among other things? Or perhaps some are medication related? I've heard from many here that ongoing bloating and flatulence are common. But most have their appetites (or a portion thereof) return. They may not be able to eat as much or as quickly, but they typically can eat to have some energy.

I hope you find answers soon!
Posted 3/17/2016 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Caligal,

Thank you for your reply. I have followed up with my Doctors RE : anemia, meds , other conditions but no answers yet. My surgeon keeps telling me it's not because of the surgery & I fail to believe him as I didn't have any of these prior? Anyway I am seeing another surgeon soon & hope to find some answers. I haven't come across alot of people post nissen with similar issues as mine after sooo long!

You sure will feel better as you've just had yours done. Wish you a swift recovery!

Sam.
Posted 3/17/2016 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sam:

Sorry to hear that you are still having issues at almost 1.5 years post-surgery. I had my full-wrap NF in 2014, and I can tell you a few things about my recovery. I was told pre-surgery that I would not be able to belch or throw up, that was the trade off for getting rid of the reflux. The flatulence is because you can no longer belch, so gas needs to expel somewhere. I would suggest taking some anti-gas medication, that helps me as well as avoiding carbonation, drinking from a straw or gassy foods. You should contact your doctor for a prescription for anti-nausea medication. I use Zofran, and it is something that I will always need to carry with me. One of the things that you need to do is stay hydrated. I had the symptoms of being light-headed and constipation and it was directly related to my fluid intake. My appetite has definitely changed from the surgery, I found that eating small snacks throughout the day rather than meals has helped. If you don't eat anything, you definitely won't have an appetite and that in itself could cause a whole list of other symptoms. For me, having the surgery was the best decision I've ever made.

Hope you feel better soon,

Sharon
Posted 3/17/2016 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Sharon is right about Zofran. I've been taking it regularly since my surgery Friday to reduce and prevent nausea as a result of the painkillers and liquid diet. I plan on keeping it with me permanently as it seems to work well. During post-op, the painkillers (and pain) caused me quite a bit of nausea and the Zofran did a great job of settling my stomach and keeping me from feeling as though I needed to vomit. It's a small tablet that dissolves on/under the tongue that has a mild berry flavor -- a bit bitter near the end but worth it. Simethicone (Gas-X or other brand) works well for gas. I prefer the meltaway strips, similar to breath freshening strips.

Thanks for the great advice, Sharon!
Posted 3/17/2016 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sharon,

Thanks for taking the time to reply & I'm glad you are very happy with your NF procedure. Thanks also for your advise on the anti-nausea/gas medication will sure ask my Doctor about these. Nausea without the ability to throw up is just horrible. My surgeon had not informed me fully of all the possible complications from the surgery or I would have definitely thought twice. Well no need keeping on crying over spilt milk I guess :( but I just feel these are too many awful symptoms to trade for reflux. I was better off before!

Thanks also on your advise on meals & fluids - will try & keep check on these. I however would still like to have the wrap taken down if possible working on finding the appropriate surgeon. Let's see how it goes.

Cheers,
Sam.
Posted 3/17/2016 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Caligal,
Seems I need to keep the zofran always handy as just can't handle the horrible nausea & dry heaves anymore. Not being able to vomit with nausea is one of the worst feelings I've ever experienced..I totally under estimated the importance of vomiting when I could not knowing I would be nauseated 24/7 now when I can't !! :((
Flatulence is way out of hand & embarrassing so gas X I suppose..didn't think a surgery that sounded so simple would have so many drastic effects!

Thanks, Sam
Posted 3/17/2016 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
I had fundoplication surgery one week ago. I am still experiencing the heartburn. It just feels like someone is lighting a flame inside. This makes little sense to me since my diet is consisting of yogurt, pudding, broth, ice cream and jello. I am on a full liquid diet for 2 weeks then soft food diet for another 2 weeks. I also had a hiatal hernia that was repaired at the same time. I keep telling myself to be patient but I feel like I am getting depressed about it. Is all this normal? DoI just need to give it time, and how much?
Thanks,
CJ
Posted 3/18/2016 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
CJ, seems like we're aligned in our surgery dates and procedures -- I, too, had a giant hernia repair/patch and a fundoplication. I had mine on Friday. You're a bit farther ahead on the food side of things -- I'm still doing clear liquids and will add dairy in the next few days.

My doctor gave me Reglan at the hospital and to take home. It's supposed to work for reflux/acid symptoms and nausea. It worked for me in the hospital although I haven't had to take it while at home. I've been taking Zofran for nausea instead.

I can't speak from experience here, but know from the boards that folks comment regularly on the process being a slow and steady one. It's going to take time for your body to heal fully. We're both going to have to fight the boredom demons with simple, basic foods over and over again but, in time, it will pay off. I'm going to play with some different flavors of soup that I can puree thin to give me some new tastes. Same goes for jello, etc. Let us know how things work out for you as you go along. There are lots of folks here to learn from and others (like me!) who are happy to at least lend a supportive comment here and there when I can't contribute from personal experience.

Hang in there!
Posted 3/18/2016 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Caligal. Maybe I should stay away from the dairy for a bit. As I go thru my episodes they all have that in common.
I have learned a lot with the posts I have read and do take comfort in them. I will continue to post. And look for new foods to try. :)
Posted 3/18/2016 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
CJ:

It's actually quite common to still experience reflux-type symptoms at your stage of recovery. It's all part of the healing process, and I'm told it's not actually reflux. I tried to stay away from dairy in the early part of my recovery, I just wanted to play it safe. I drank protein smoothies, ate things like cream of wheat and jello. Even though it's hard try and limit your amount of sugar intake. A week is very early in your recovery, so just relax and heal. You are likely to suffer minor setbacks and have all sorts of different side effects. This surgery's recovery is long, slow process. I didn't start to feel really good until the six-month mark and back to my self around a year post-surgery. When you experiment with new foods and something bothers you, just back off and wait to try it again. There's a really good NF post-surgery diet, just google UPMC Nissen diet. I really benefited from their suggestions.

Good luck, Sharon
Posted 3/23/2016 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sharon, your words have calmed me. My follow up revealed that I have thrush and my doctor suspects that it is interfering with feeling better. I am on soft food and can add plain chicken if I want. He said to just add one food at a time so that it is easy to monitor what I can handle. I had some jello and must have had a bite too big as it hurt so bad after it was swallowed, like it was stuck. It did not go away before I drank some very hot water. It was quite a scare and a great reminder that I will have to take everything in small bites.
Baby steps!
CJ
Posted 3/23/2016 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
CJ:

Just keep in mind that peak swelling on the wrap usually happens around 10-days to 2 weeks post surgery, so don't be alarmed - it will subside. That might be why you felt pain after eating the jello.

I promise you, it does get better!

Sharon
Posted 3/23/2016 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
CJ, I was,also diagnosed with a nasty case of thrush two days home from the hospital. Awful, gross stuff! Ive been on a 2 week antibiotic prescription since then and it is slowly working. I had taste, tongue and throat sensitivity, but the meds are helping.

I feel for you.. thrush on top of the surgery absolutely sucks. It adds insult to injury and just complicates everything.

Feel better!
Posted 5/27/2016 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Well I am back. I am 11 weeks post op and things had been going well I thought. I am gradually adding foods with some success and some failures. Trial and error and patience I guess. But the last week I have had a significant return in heartburn and pain when eating and drinking. Very disappointed. Am I just overdoing it? Has anyone else had this happen?

CJ
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