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Post op gas above collar bone

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Posted 7/13/2017 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

I recently had my nissen fundoplication a few days ago. i do not currently have the heartburn in the middle of my chest that i was experiencing but has anyone had a strange pressure feeling in and around the chest from excess gas before? i wonder because this feeling is similar to when i had heartburn and want to make sure it still isn't the reflux? obviously im so early on and have to be patient to see improvement but advice would be helpful from anyone who has gone through similar.

Thanks.
Posted 7/13/2017 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Have you seen your surgeon for a followup visit? Have you called him about this problem?

We aren't doctors, but a lot of us have had the post-op experience of retained gas, pain mainly in left shoulder area, from the gas used to inflate the stomach during the surgery. It can last a week of more.

But check with your doctor!

We'd love to hear again to keep up with how you're doing. Best wishes.
Posted 7/13/2017 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Alcie,

I dont have a follow up for about 4 to 6 weeks but i have only been out of surgery a couple of days so very early stages of recovery. I am however still getting the globus feeling in the throat that i had before, im not sure if this is because of the surgery or solely down to my symtoms previously. Its very hard to distuguish at this point as i had symtoms prior to the op for about 2 and half years. obviously you just want all of this to vanish but nothing is garanteed.
Posted 7/13/2017 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Suss89,

I had the NF procedure done 20 weeks ago. A full clearing of your reflux symptoms can take a while, thinks months not days or weeks. In addition, the healing required after a major surgery takes time to clear up.

For the first few weeks you're swollen inside. Various pains and levels of discomfort are likely. You're also likely to be undernourished and low energy. And most importantly your esophagus is both healing and adjusting to the changes.

I had the globus feeling for at least a month post surgery.

-Mark
Posted 7/14/2017 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mark,

Thanks for your comment! Thats helped put my mind at ease slightly. When you have had something for so long you forget what its like to not have it! I will try to give it time and allow my body to heal. I just havent had anyone to really talk to about the same thing as ive been getting and the symtoms so its good to hear from different people and ther experiences with this. Any helpful advice is a bonus.

Thanks

Matt
Posted 7/14/2017 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Matt,
Glad to help put your mind at ease. I'm so happy to be 20 weeks past surgery. I'm felling really good and I'm pleased with the outcome of having the surgery.

I wish I knew more about what it was going to be like post surgery. There can be so many ups and downs and the progress I made felt so slow.

Something to consider is a concerted focus on your nutrition. Getting enough protein and an essential amount of fat in your diet will help spare muscle and support your hormones. I dealt with many emotional ups and downs and I believe it was related to not getting enough of what my body needed.

Since bloating is so common post surgery it's hard to want to eat enough. Use Gas-X as needed. Even if it's beyond the package recommendations. Stay regular by finding a product that works for you. Miralax helped me. I used it daily to stay ahead of any potential slowing of my digestion.

Sincerely,
-Mark
Posted 7/14/2017 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Mark,

This is great advice, when im able to eat a more substantial diet im definitely going to look at a healthier way of life. I think at the moment thats exactly what im craving is the protein. Just need to stick to a soft diet for a couple of weeks before i add things back in.

Did you have pains and aches after surgey that mimicked your reflux before? I often think my body was so used to those symtoms that thats what im currently experiencing?

Best

Matt
Posted 7/14/2017 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Did you have pains and aches after surgery that mimicked your reflux before?
-- Yes. I was instructed to slowly decrease my PPI medication over the course of the first month. When I finally stopped using it I had an intense burning sensation in my throat for about a week. It slowly diminished over the course of the next few weeks.
-- My sinuses cleared right away after surgery but post-nasal drip continues to get better as the weeks go by.
-- There can be waves of swelling over the course of the first month. It seems to peak at 10 to 14 days then again later in the first month. Tightness and discomfort. Just stick to soft foods as long as you've been told by your doctor and go back to them even after the first couple weeks if you feel you need to.
I often think my body was so used to those symtoms that thats what im currently experiencing?

-- This is so true. Your esophagus has known the presence of acid for a long time. It takes a while to heal and become accustomed to its absence.

Think weeks and months, not days. It gets better.
-Mark
Posted 7/15/2017 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Mark!

Matt.
Posted 7/18/2017 9:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mark,

Another question if you are able to answer, I've had some pain at the sight of the where the hernia was? is this normal? obviously im panicking about this as i dont want my symtoms to re appear only a week after surgery? just wondered if you experienced anything like this?

Thanks

Matt.
Posted 7/18/2017 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Matt,
Be patient with your body during this healing process. It's still very early in your recovery from a major surgery. You had internal organs shifted around and the surgery site is just under your heart. Your body is doing it's best to heal. If you have a fever, difficultly eating/swallowing or vomiting then you'd be right to be concerned and should absolutely seek medical attention.

With that said, I had horrible shoulder pain for three weeks post surgery. Tenderness under my sternum and pains that moved around my rib cage depending on how I slept. All of those things resolved after the first few weeks.

I did get a CT scan because of the shoulder pain but nothing was wrong. The pain disappeared in the fourth week.

Follow the post-surgery instructions regarding your diet and lifting restrictions.

You're very early in your recovery. It gets better.
-Mark
Posted 7/18/2017 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
That is totally normal, it's actually normal after other types of surgery too. I still feel it when I get hiccups. I remember it was agony for a few weeks but it eventually passes. Peppermint tea helped for me.
Posted 7/19/2017 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mark,

Thanks again for your replies, i think its hard not to worry as im sure you know. the chest pain has stuck around for the last day or so with no relief thats why i was a bit concerned. I did go to the hospital but xrays showed nothing has changed, bloods and ECG fine. I am hoping this is part of the healing process and will pass. It is strange when things appear (symptoms) after i had had none previous to this apart from shoulder pain.

Thanks

Matt.
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