Nissen Fundoplication on 3/21/18

Day 6: so yesterday still great. Bruising around the 5 incisions are clearing up. They are starting to itch a wee bit. I can’t figure how to post a photo, but was willing to share how this looks.
I ate some cream of wheat for breakfast, soup for lunch and tested the waters with tortellini well cooked for dinner. Everything went down beautifully. Officially today(one week since surgery) I can eat soft foods, so I kinda cheated last night. Did some re-potting of seedlings for my garden, and 20 min. On my stationary bike.
My husband and I live here on 10 acres, and I do horse boarding and own one horse. I have a couple of my boarders feeding the horses for me and cleaning up. I am planning on resuming these chores next week. It is really hard to not be in the middle of that, and it takes an iron fist to keep me quiet.
None of the inside discomfort I had the night before. I am being reasonable to expect that I may occasionally have unexpected pains here and there.

So I was told to not lift anything more than 10lbs for 2 weeks after surgery. I can bend, climb stairs and he wants his patients to walk..not stay idol. After the 2 weeks, gradually start lifting more and more with full activity at one month. So you should be fine with your your older grandchild! Of course, check with your doctor, he may have a different idea. Also, my surgery was laparoscopic, if yours should be an open one, your lifting instructions may be different.
So with your surgery in 7 days, did your doctor tell you to take gas x before surgery? My doc told me to take 5 tablets throughout the day before. and to take milk of magnesia at 4:00(YUUUUCK) I was also on a liquid diet the day before, I assume to make sure the stomach was empty at the time of surgery. I had very little gas pains after surgery, so maybe the gas x was the reason?
I over stocked on broths and the such. I bought popscicles and haven’t touched one...they aren’t my favorite foodand haven’t felt the need for one. My husband will take care of them..😜 yogurt is great as is Mango lassi which is a yogurt drink. It’s a way to get in extra calories, easy to drink and really delicious.

One week! Yay, first week over. I hate to be a broken record, but this has been a breeze so far, and I hope I’m not jinxing my luck! I know that things can change, and the peak swelling of the wrap has not hit yet. but for all my nerves and being scared pre surgery, if I could have known it would be like this I would have been much more at ease!
So I started the soft diet just a couple of hours early, for my dinner last night. I ground some beef and made hamburgers and cooked them before my surgery storing them in the freezer for my husband. These are really small, and I ate half of one with half a piece of American cheese, and 1/4 of a twice cooked baked potato. I chewed until it was well pulverized and it took me maybe 20-25 min. To finish. Never has anything felt like it was getting stuck or not going past the LES..but I don’t want to take any chances.
My abdomen is getting flatter, so the swelling is going down nicely.
I am not considered overweight, 5’7 156 lbs, but if I lost 20 lbs I would be a happy camper! I have lost about 4 lbs as of this morning. I am really afraid to eat too much and hurt my wrap. What is interesting is I really haven’t had hunger pains. So I eat through out the day small little snacks with a bit more at breakfast,lunch and dinner. I do feel like if I drink too much water or liquid at one time I feel really full, so I am watching that and taking smaller amounts more frequently.
I hope my chronicling my journey thus far has been helpful for anyone who is facing this surgery! I know not everyone has an easy time, but knowing there are folks out there like me can maybe put some of our fellow soon to be wrappers(😜) at a little ease!

Hi Willie, my doctor has me on soft for 1 week, and then regular eating...keeping it small, soft, and eating slowly. I’m happy to read that your recovery has been smooth as well. There really is a need for folks who have a good recovery to share their stories. There are too many horrible recoveries out there and they seem to be the ones looking for help. Not to discount what has happened to them, I cannot imagine the hell some are going through, and my heart is heavy for them. But there has to be a balance.
When I told my doctor I had been on the Internet, he rolled his eyes and said..oh boy, the good old internet! I told him I understood where he was coming from, that I was on the Internet more for understanding what the actual procedure entailed, and a little bit of what to expect afterwards. This forum was a godsend for me reading not only what bad types of things to expect, but also success stories and stories like mine. It helped me to be a bit less apprehensive before surgery!

It’s great when you have a doctor that you like and have trust in! My doctor Greg Jossart from CPMC in San Francisco has been doing this for a long time, and I’m sure he is used to his patients going to the Internet and coming up with all kinds of questions. He was very patient, and compassionate with myself and my family...I couldnt ask for anyone more competent or caring! That has made a difference for the whole experience!

Hi Gooby..I wasn’t allowed anything solid or liquid after midnight before surgery. Each doctor is going to have their own approach, and I would follow yours as they say. She obviously has her reasons for you to follow her instructions. I cannot imagine the gas-x not being a good idea, in any case you may want to have it on hand afterwards. I also have a supply of zofran(anti-nausea pill you put under your tongue)..I’m not sure I can vomit, I can burp just fine. I got nauseated at the hospital and the zofran knocked it out!. Hope you have a wonderful Easter...I may try a bite or 2 of some ham..but planning on sweet potatoes for sure! 😊

10 days since surgery: Today I tested the water eating a small salad...no issues! No sticking, no swallowing problems..nothing!. I love a salad for lunch and am beyond tickled I was able to try one today. Breakfast was a small pancake, and a tiny pork sausage patty, that I ground and seasoned myself. Nothing thus far has been an issue..if I didn’t have the 5 stab wounds(😜)on my abdomen, And decreased appetite, and getting fuller faster I’d almost wouldn't know I had anything done...seriously!
Letitgo,so glad that your son is recovering well! I’m sure your posting will be an inspiration and comfort to other moms concerned about the post op experience! I’m sorry a 13 year old had to go thru surgery, easy for him, harder on mom! My granddaughter is 12 1/2 and if she had to have surgery I’d be a basket case. I hope your little one continues with a successful recovery!
Happy Easter to all! Cathy

Oh so very sorry to read this! My sincere condolences to you and your family! Sending hugs! Cathy

I think my lad peaked too early. Last 2 meals have been tricky with the food not going down. Last night it was pancakes and today he has struggled with a ham sandwich. It seems to be the bread rather than the ham.

So I am 18 days since my surgery and eating everything, just much less than I did before. Steak, salads, toast..etc. small bites and chew chew chew!.
Yesterday, one of my incisions was red all the way around and tender. I pushed on it and pus came out. Sh@t! I called my doctor and his answering service put me thru to him. He was not concerned. He told me to keep squeezing to get the pus out, and place a bandaid and neosporin on the area. I did as he instructed, and today it is not red and the pus is gone. He said sometimes a piece of skin or glue gets into the incision and irritates it. I was a bit worried, but it was only the top layer of skin, And it is on the mend.

Fry at I too would love an update. My surgery is scheduled for May 16th. Reading your story has been encouraging- thank you. I have read about so many negative outcomes. Scared to death to have this done.

Hii..
Are there people who hv hd reflux symptoms many weeks after their fundoplication and then felt better?? I'm from India and had my fundo 7 weeks back..I still HV reflux symptoms like heartburn and burning nose..I thought my fundo hs failed and posted my concerns..SharonZ and Alcie comforted me saying to b patient as I'm in my early recovery..and many people who have hd problems like me cannot be seen posting saying that they are better..they hv just stopped posting..any such experience is appreciated..

Rooby