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My Surgery Experience and Post Operative Recovery Journal

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/9/2016 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
1 day before surgery: I have found this forum so helpful, especially the success stories. I'm a 55 yr old female that has suffered with a large Hiatal hernia for about 10 years. Ive taken Zantac for years and more recently been prescribed omeprazole. Surgery is tomorrow. I have never had any operations before. I'm a little scared and excited at the same time. I have been on a low carb diet for 3 weeks and have lost about 12 lb. The surgeon has done well over a hundred of these procedures. He will decide during the surgery whether to do a full or partial wrap. I've been advised of all the possible complications which is the scariest part of this. Wish me luck!

Post Edited (huaw22) : 10/15/2016 5:39:21 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/10/2016 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your surgery. Hope it goes well for you and I am sure you will be alright.
Posted 10/12/2016 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi huaw22,

Best wishes for your upcoming surgery! You've probably already seen it, but here's a link to my early recovery journal. You might find it provides some helpful information.
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

I'm so happy I had the surgery! The recovery is challenging, but it's very well worth the effort! The most important thing is to remember is that this recovery takes six months for most of the healing and a year for the rest. If you can surrender to your recovery and follow its lead, you will find it much more manageable. Give your body permission to heal in its own sweet time. During your recovery, don't forget to chew, chew, chew your food and don't swallow anything that doesn't chew to a creamy liquid.

I'm glad you found this forum! It was a wonderful help to me both before and after my surgery.

Good luck!
Denise
Posted 10/13/2016 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Update: I got a partial wrap and biologic mesh repair for lg HH. The surgery went well although I had a difficult time waking up after the anesthesia and was extremely nauseous. I was given anti nausea medicine and morphine for the first few hours. First night in the hospital was very challenging. The neck and shoulder pain was excruciating laying in bed. I decide to get up and walk every couple hours during that first night and it made all the difference. I was given clear liquids same day as surgery and the next morning I was able to eat scrambled eggs, applesauce, pudding and coffee for breakfast. the nurse unhooked my IV so I could walk around more easily. By 5 pm, I was released from the hospital and went home.

2 day post op: The first night at home was a little tough but the Tylenol/codeine seem to help me sleep. I woke up feeling pain in my left lung. The spirometer helped me clear it up. I walked around the house and finally started to pass some gas that had been building up. I was able to eat soup, well mashed tuna on saltine crackers, mashed potatoes & gravy. I removed the bandages as directed by my surgeon and took a shower. After lunch and another round of meds, I slept for a few hours. I took another nap after dinner as well.

3 days post op: No Tylenol/codeine needed this morning. Soft food is going down. Water seems to slowly go down. Warm drinks seem to be better tolerated than cold drinks for some reason. Still no bowel movement but passing a lot of gas even though I have taking laxatives. I may even be able to do a little work today. Heartburn and reflux are gone, not taking anymore PPI and I burped involuntarily. I've never been more excited to burp. By later afternoon, I decided I needed another of Tylenol/Codeine then took a nap.

4 days post op: I think the whole experience of the week finally caught up with me today. I still didn't take anymore codeine but switched over to liquid Tylenol only. I finally was able to have a bowel movement and after a light dinner of soup, well cooked carrots and crackers, I went to bed about 8pm and slept soundly for 12 hours, must have needed it.

5 days post op. After sleeping for 12 hours I woke up a bit stiff and sore. I was able to eat eggs and pudding then went for nice long walk. It is such a beautiful day and this really picked up my spirits. The worst part of today was the itching of the incisions. I used some anti itch cream around (not on) the incisions and that seem to help a lot. Also, when I was in the hospital, I had been on oxygen for about 17 hours. My nose was trashed and the first few days I had nosebleeds and scabbing. I used some moisturizing nose spray (saline solution) and that has helped heal up my nose. I would suggest getting some before the procedure and using regularly to avoid this. I'm still sore but I can finally get out of bed without my hubby helping me and did a little light housework today.

Post Edited (huaw22) : 10/15/2016 5:24:52 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/14/2016 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi huaw22,

Welcome to the yeah yeah yeahWrapped Club! yeah yeah yeah Thank you for sharing your recovery with others here on the forum. There is so much misinformation on the internet, it's important to those who are looking for answers. Your shared experiences will inform so many who are looking for information while they explore their options.

I hope others listen to your great advice to walk, walk, walk to dissipate gas and alleviate pain. I found it extremely important during my recovery. The side benefit is that it helps you regain your strength after surgery.

I remember the water just dribbled/drained through my wrap during the early weeks of my recovery. I'd feel it back up and drain. I'd forgotten about that sensation!

Stay away from cold and iced drinks as you recover, as they can cause uncomfortable spasms. No straws, because they introduce air into your stomach. Also stay away from carbonated drinks for a while. I remember quite a while after my surgery I had a couple glasses of champagne and the carbonation got a head start, pushing my wrap tightly against the opening, and I got some painful bloating. Live and learn. I didn't think I'd be able to drink beer, but it is fine...even with the bubbles. Apparently it's not enough to bother. As you heal and time passes, your wrap will relax a bit and things will normalize. You'll always have to chew your food more thoroughly.

I know what you mean about being happy when your stomach burps itself. turn Being able to let some air out definitely helps you be more comfortable.

I was told by my surgeon that my wrap would become increasingly more swollen over the first two weeks of recovery, peaking on or about the 14th day or so. I was glad he warned me, because it was exactly what happened, and I would have been panicking if I hadn't been told.

Please continue to share your experience! Maybe you'll want to change the title of your thread to indicate that it is a recovery journal!

Take care, and happy healing!
Denise
Posted 10/14/2016 6:47 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Denise. As scared as I was, and as tough as the first few hours were, I'm SO glad I got it done. The moment I realized that was the first morning after surgery when I had breakfast and I felt the food go down to my stomach, where it belongs, not up in my chest where i could feel my heart beating in my stomach. It was amazing feeling. Sure I was hugely sore but I knew I would be ok.
Posted 10/15/2016 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so glad I had the surgery everyday is so much better than the day before.
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