Posted 1/26/2017 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone, I am a Canadian 50 year old female. I had my partial fundo October 2 2015. My surgery was performed by a chest and esophagus specialist, and was performed laparoscopically. I suffered from heartburn since the age of 12 which progressed with intensity after each pregnancy. By the age of 30 I started suffering reflux and in the end I was on Nexium 40 mg twice a day, which managed my heartburn but did noting for nighttime reflux. My gastroenterologist tried a multitude of medications without results. Diet change did not help, even after a 60lb weight loss.
When my gastro referred me to the surgeon, two more years of testing ensued, manometry, 24 hour acid test, multiple endoscopies, and barium swallows. All these were understandably required to understand the problem before recommending surgery.
I was lucky in a sense that my surgery was on a Thursday, so I ended up staying in hospital 5 days. Upon waking, there was a suction hose removing all stomach contents, and présure cuffs on my thighs and calves to reduce blood clotting. Nothing by mouth was allowed for 24 hours until an X-ray could be performed.
First day - physical therapist visit getting me to walk, and show me my chest and breathing exercises
Day two - water!!! By dinner time, I was allowed broth and clear juice
Day three - jello!!! And drinkable breakfast
Day four - porridge and milk, drinkable breakfast, more jello
Day five - cream soup, and all above and visit from nutritionist
For 6 weeks I had to follow a liquid diet as last day in hospital
Following 6 weeks soft foods only
Then introduce various foods but no chocolate, nuts, seeds (including those on berries) no alcohol, and a host of others
Then 6 weeks later could try introducing the "no" foods one at a time
I attribute my recovery and lack of complications to the strict food regiment and gradual introduction of normal eating.
At that point I thought "I'm out of the woods" but I wasn't. Throughout recovery I would experience nausea if I ate the wrong thing, or too fast, or too much. I experienced severe shoulder pain, which eventually was narrowed down to the stitching of my diaphragm and bloating. But after a year, even the shoulder pain is now gone.
I still have to be careful, I still don't drink anything carbonated, and I still will find certain foods cause such bloating that the pain in my belly feels like my skin is going to burst.
I am still very gassy, both ways 😳 But the family is getting used to it.
Overall it has been very positive. My reflux is gone, my heartburn is only occasional and I have lost an additional 30-35 lbs. I don't snore anymore and I am finally sleeping well.
My surgeon met with me regularly post op, and in fact i go back in March for my 1 yr 6mo barium swallow. I didn't have this much follow up and post op appointments with my hysterectomy!
If the time comes where I need to have this surgery again, sign me up! At least I'll know what to expect and when an episode of diarrhea days and you go from freezing to sweating all day long, I won't be afraid and won't think I'm dying 😆