HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

7 weeks post op

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/11/2017 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
I am a 72 year old woman who had a Nissen Fundiplication surgery on June 23. My initial diagnosis was based on off and on again episodes of severe pain over many years. I finally got tired of not knowing what was wrong and my primary care doc sent me for a scan. A very large hiatal hernia and stomach was moving into the chest and twisting! Gastro guy did an endoscopy and quickly referred me to a thorasic surgeon. Surgery was done robotically, 2 days in the hospital, 2 weeks on liquid diet and 2 more on soft, mushy food. Feel pretty good, and have been introducing new foods slowly. Lost a bunch of weight and not really into eating 6 small meals a day...but so far so good. I do feel a slight pressure in my chest, wondering if that is the wrap? Doesn't hurt and not all the time. I quite appreciate all the sharing on this site, knowing that it takes a while to feel 100%.

Post Edited (MrsO) : 8/10/2017 8:48:34 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/11/2017 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
MrsO,
Sounds like your recovery is going very well. I wouldn't be concerned about the chest pressure unless it persists and becomes worse over time.

Welcome to the wrapped club,
-Mark
Posted 8/16/2017 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
I'm scheduled for laparoscopic fundoplication on the 28th. Honestly, I'm very nervous I'm 67 and over weight. I hope I can lose weight. I've gained weight over the past 6 or 7 years with all the steroids I had to take with Pneumonia. I just found out that my Pneumonia was most likely caused by my Gerd. I'm looking forward to not getting sick any more. Any advice.
Posted 8/16/2017 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Barb:

You may lose weight initially, but most people seem to put the weight back on (for the most part), when you start to eat normally. You are about to have major surgery, just don't expect recovery to be short or easy. I'm sure you have read the success stories on this Forum, there are a lot. I would make sure that you have someone stay with you for the first few days and go grocery shopping to make sure that you have the food to follow the post-surgery diet that your surgeon should have given you.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Sharon
Posted 8/18/2017 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
Barb, pretty sure you will lose weight with the liquid and then soft mushy diet. You might have to be creative with soups, broths and smoothies as the jello routine gets old pretty fast. My doc had me on liquids only for two weeks and then soft, pureed style food for another two. Almost two months now and I just introduce things one at a time, beef and too much bread are still a problem and meals are still quite small. But I honestly don't feel hungry and often have to remind myself to eat several small meals a day. Good luck with your surgery; it does take longer than I thought to feel "normal" and am not quite there yet...could it be that I'm 72!
Kathy aka Mrs. O
Posted 9/21/2017 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I am new to this forum and this is my first post. First, thank you for providing this and for all of the content, when I get nervous about my upcoming surgery, I come to this forum.
A little about me...I am in my mid 50's and had my gallbladder removed when I was a teenager. It's some type of genetic issue on my mother's side of the family because she, along with all of my siblings and 2 of my children have had to have their gallbladder removed at a young age.
Anyway, in my late thirties I started having bouts of bile salt diarrhea that wasn't actually diagnosed until I had my colonoscopy when I was 48. I was prescribed Colestipol and it has worked very well.
Fast forward and for the past several years I have had GERD and have been a long term user of PPI's. My symptoms recently have been mostly severe heartburn when I wake up in the morning with episodes lasting 1-2 hours every day. I am on 40mg of Protonix, Gaviscon and Zantac none of which is helping much. I am scheduled for a nissen fundoplication next Monday and I am very nervous, yet relieved because the doctor says I should see some immediate improvement.
I have read several posts about this surgery and have focused primarily on the successful stories since it is very easy to find negative ones when you google too much.
I appreciate any "words of wisdom" or tips on the recovery process.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply