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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 3/27/2018 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I had open Nissan surgery on March 12th and experiencing severe abdominal pain and cramps after eating. Anyone can relate. I having been reading up on anyone who had open surgery. New here
Posted 3/27/2018 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
What you are experiencing is quite common, and you are still very early into your recovery. Have you tried taking any anti-gas medication? Are you still eating 6-8 small meals a day and following a post-Nissen diet?

Sharon
Posted 3/27/2018 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
SharonZ, is spot on. I was kept on a liquid diet, for about, 4 weeks after surgery, and still experienced, what you are questioning. even now, at over two years out, they are still players, but not nearly as bad. give your self time. go slowly, with foods, add carefully. chew chew chew. do not over eat [ that is severe pain. I know ] stay hydrated. at about 3 months, out you can start, to seek the new normal. post for advice, lots of good people here. good luck.
Posted 4/1/2018 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I had laparoscopic, not open Nissen, but yes, I can attest abdominal pain/cramps can and likely will happen.
My Doc and various readings explained it pretty well to me, and this is what I gathered :My body was used to swallowing a lot of air (and just swallowing a lot in general) as a kind of defense against GERD and LPR, to try to keep the acid down. After surgery, you can no longer easily burp/push air back out through the top of the stomach...so the air has only one way out now....through the back door. This means air moving through your digestive system, which causes bloat, cramping and gas. After some time, your body will adapt to no longer ingesting as much air, but until that time, it helps to concentrate on taking small bites and sips, and focusing on not ingesting a lot of air with your food. I had never really thought of it, but I was a fast eater and used to really attack my food (you know, the old nom-nom-nom) with big bites. I must have been taking in a lot of air...and I burped a lot when I ate.
Since my surgery I have only had one bout with pretty decent cramps/gas, and I think it is mostly due to being very conscious on my bites in terms of not taking big ol' shark bites that are mostly a mouthful of air.
Posted 4/2/2018 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I am slowly realizing how much patience I will be needing. Went to see surgeon last Thursday had staples removed. He said I need to continue on liquids and pureed food and eat 6 small bites a day. The problem I am having now is loss of appetite and taste buds have just disappeared. I can only get down a sip or two of water at a time. Lucky if I get two or three spoons of food down daily. Feel hungry but when I get food appetite disappears. Can tolerate frozen juice bars. Concerned about getting dehydrated.
Posted 4/2/2018 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Maxinewj:

What you are experiencing is quite common, and your appetite will gradually increase. It's important to stay hydrated, and eat 6-8 small meals a day. If you surgeon didn't give you a diet to follow, I used "UPMC Post-Nissen Diet" and it was very helpful
Posted 4/2/2018 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sharon's. I have been reading other post and feel more comfortable knowing my issues are normal. My surgeon didn't give me enough information on the recovery process. I am so glad I found this forum. It's nothing like hearing fromsomeone who has personal experience vs textbook.
Posted 4/2/2018 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
yes it is a shame, how little info, is passed to patient before and after this operation. you need to stay hydrated. that right now, is your number one priority. take in small amounts, as often as possible. I ended up in the ER, because I was not told, how critical it was, [ I should have know better ] even though you don't feel like there is room. take in fluids.
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