Toupet Fundoplication newly post-op questions

I just found this site after googling some of my issues. Now that I've joined it seems there is a lot of posts I now have to read through. Haha.

I'm a 42 year old female who has suffered from GERD for years that had gotten progressively worse. I do not like the PPI's, so I would try to go off and always end up with a major exacerbation of asthma like symptoms. I do have asthma, but taking the asthma medications didn't help, only going back on PPI.

I decided to see a thoracic surgeon and went through the battery of testings. I did have esophagitis, gastric empty issue, failed 1/2 of the swallows, and scored high on the Bravo test. Due to the gastric empty and swallow issues my surgeon thought the toupet would be best, saying I would most likely be miserable with a Nissen.

I had the toupet a week ago today, 3/16. He ended up doing a mesh small hernia repair, that did not show on my other tests. Yesterday I was released to progress to a soft diet. Sometimes small bites of foods (mashed spaghetti, mashed potato, etc) seem to get a little stuck and I get a pain until it works though. I'm told that will get better. Here are my major questions for now though:

1. I had the procedure due to the asthma like breathing issues (pain with deep breath and restricted like deep breath) and it seems like this is still there. This always has goes away when on PPI bit I'm not on my PPI and honestly will be stubborn and not go back on after going through surgery, at least not yet. My surgeon just said the chest issues will get better, thinking they are related to surgery. Is this acid or is this issues with the diaphragm and phrenic nerve that I read about? I do not think I feel acid (laying down feels great) which is why I'm confused with the same symptoms as prior to surgery.

2. I still have major pain on both sides of my neck and inner shoulders. It was getting better the past 2 days and then last night I laughed at something on tv pretty hard (why can't you stop laying when you are trying to not laugh!) and last night and today the neck/shoulder pain is back pretty bad. Is this the nerve also? I'm back to using the heating pad. I cannot recline with this pain, but need to sit/sleep sitting upright so my neck/shoulders do not have pressure on them. Also, I still cannot lay on my left side, but the right is now okay. If I lay on my left side I get a pain in my shoulder area. Why and why left side?

3. I can feel burps sometimes come up but cannot force a burp. I'm fart a lot more than I ever have. Will this always be? Sometimes I get a major pressure feeling around my bra area in the middle, probably where the wrap is around. It seems to come on after I eat out of the blue and I will feel a major pressure, like a burp Is trying to come out. I've learned that if I press slightly at that area and hold it whatever happens subsides. What the heck is this?

4. I get gurgles every time I drink/eat something. Once I hear this gurgle (that takes about 6 seconds from a swallow) then I know I'm ready for another drink/bite. Will this end? My family now laughs because they all can hear the gurgle ever time I drink/eat. I will be embarrassed if out in public for an event or something this continues.

Thank you for all of your help. I look forward to reading more now that I registered. This seems like a long haul and one that I think I underestimated.

Kristin

Try not to worry, what you feel is totally normal.
Try to imagine what has happened in your abdomen and that should help you feel better.
The shortness of breath is probably due to the fact your diaphragm is irritated as it has been repaired. I get the neck pain and shoulder pain but only occasionally now and I'm 6 months out. I still have more discomfort on the left side and I think this is due t he stomach being more on the left side when you lay down plus the main instrument that does most of the nano wrong is generally placed more on the left of the abdomen I was told.
It's still very early days and your body has lots of healing to do. The sensations you feel should ease over time.

I didn't find that painkillers help. Afraid to say it's a case a waiting for it to subside. I still get a little bit of shoulder pain if I've eaten a little more than I should. It's definitely diaphragm related. You will start to feel better really soon, I found by the end of the second week I felt loads better. Be prepared you may have a few slight twinges and sensations for a while.... Nothing major though. I think the areas inside where the instruments were can be bruised and irritated for a while. Take it easy and hopefully as the days go by things should get easier for you.

That's ok. Hope things get easier for you soon.

I find if I sit for too long such as on a long drive, I still have pain in my left shoulder. I just have to stop and walk it off. Trotters is right, it does ease over time. It's a little disconcerting though when you think everything is going great then you feel some odd twinge or pain. Just try to relax and take it easy. Don't push yourself. I use regular Tylenol now for pain as I can't use NSAIDS due to bleeding issues. It seems to help but I don't need it much anymore.

My surgeon told me it would be weeks (5-6 weeks probably) before the swelling begins to subside which is what Alcie mentioned as well. Try to stay away from sticky foods like pasta, bread and cake stuff for awhile longer. You will be glad you did. Take care!

Post Edited (Ringer4) : 3/24/2016 7:37:03 PM (GMT-6)