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Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication : post op

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 6/24/2018 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
Grateful to find this forum. Would appreciate advice.

I had my full wrap procedure on June 4th. I promised myself I would be a good patient. They released me and thankfully did not make me spend the night in the hospital. I think I was naive thinking I would just be up and running aside from the liquid diet. Walking up to 6 miles a day for the air. So my shoulders have not been hurting.

Volunteered to hand out yearbooks at my daughters school on June 21 & 22. Lifted the boxes and felt fine at the time. Have been trying to listen to my body... but then that afternoon I was in wicked pain. Had not been taking pain medicine since the prescription the first week. Called the nurse and she was not happy with me. Did not tell me to come in however... but I am petrified I have busted through and ruined the stitches. I have waited over a year for this surgery and to start on a road to feeling better.

Also have felt a lump or like something is in my throat. Is this the hernia coming back or is it back because I lifted the boxes. I have stopped lifting anything now. Took some Advil and Aleve. Pain is better but I feel like small jabs of pain where the incisions are... have had some bloating. To the point that it hurts and I thought that was the hernia returning.

How long does it take for the internal sutures to seal the diaphragm? How would I know if it has come back? Have gone completely back to a liquid diet after I tried some soft pasta that made me feel awful.

Grateful for any insight. Have rested all weekend and am feeling less pain and better. Just having anxiety, Lump in my throat has me nervous as well.

Doctor scheduled my post op check up for 6 weeks from surgery.

Post Edited (McKinley) : 6/24/2018 8:31:48 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/25/2018 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
It was way too early to be lifting boxes, after you have had major abdominal surgery. For the bloating, take some anti-gas medication that contains simethicone. You sometimes will have bloating from advancing your diet too quickly, you were right to go back to a soft diet, it doesn't have to be all liquid. I followed the UPMC Post-Nissen diet, you can google it. To ease your mind, you can call the surgeon's office and speak to a nurse about your concerns. There is no way to know if you have done any damage without having a barium swallow, but you aren't in excruciating pain - so just take it easy.

Sharon
Posted 6/25/2018 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Sharon,

I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Have felt alone and anxious. I called the nurse and she is keeping me on my 6 week post op appointment. I am hoping I was lucky that I did not ruin anything. I am behaving now... and am gettting a better understanding from you and this forum that I underestimated how quickly I would be healed.

Today is officially 3 weeks since my procedure. I am 50 and had a moderate size / 10cm Hiatal Hernia if I am correct. (Honestly felt like my whole stomach had moved into my chest.) I can tell a difference from the surgery and don’t feel the acid even though my mouth continues to taste odd, warm and metallic. Even with lots of water and brushing my teeth. Still have pressure and it feels tight up near my chest. Am guessing this is trapped air or am I swollen? Whole abdomen is tender but more above my belly button and near all the incisions.

Confused why I am exhausted today and uncomfortable, and did not expect this after I behaved all weekend.. I thought the rest would take me back to feeling better and instead I feel like I am going backwards. I am feeling worse than the first two weeks. It is confusing and a bit depressing. Have not lifted anything else. Am asking for help... and just wiped out. Trying not to turn or twist because that hurts. Just walking is hurting now in my abdomen and it did not before. Was grateful that at least I had the walking thing down. Actually took a cab today instead of the subway.

This lump in my throat that feels like something is stuck. Is it normal or have I made the wrap angry. I only want water, warm brodo and warm tea. Maybe it is the medicine but I am drinking lots of water to flush them.

Hard being a good mama right now and that adds to the anxiety of need to heal.

Grateful for you and your insights / advice.

Virtually hug to you... but an air hug to be safe.
McKinley

Apologies for phone typos.
Posted 6/26/2018 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
I was 54 when I hard my surgery, along with hernia repair. Recovery isn't easy, and the surgeons don't do a good enough job of explaining the recovery process and it's common to have setbacks along the way. Honestly, I didn't feel better until about 6-months post-surgery, and my "new" self at around 1 year. You have to remember that you just had major abdominal surgery. I had severe exhaustion and didn't return to work for 2 months, but everyone is different. I can't help you with the lump in the throat symptom, hopefully someone else can help you with that question.

Sharon
Posted 6/26/2018 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Sharon,
Thank you for your time and sharing. Clearly I need to readjust my expectations for what I thought recovery would be... grateful you are feeling healthy. Now I will need to ride what feels like a roller coaster of recovery.

Respectfully and grateful,
McKinley
Posted 6/26/2018 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
McKinley,
You're on the right track to back off and slow down so you can heal. Your body has been disrupted internally in a lot of ways. Any symptom your having now will likely change to something else as you continue to heal. I was wiped out for the first 4 months. I'm just now feeling more normal after 16 months. I had the lump in my throat for at least 6 weeks post surgery. I did go away. Internal swelling and aggravation of the wrap site makes things feel like you're going backwards but it's early. I will honestly tell you that I wasn't sure how successful this surgery was until the last couple months. My own throat clearing and sinus trouble have almost completely gone away. Those two symptoms of my acid reflux lasted longer than any other.

Your very early. The stress can take its toll. Your body is trying to heal and it's most likely your eating less than before so that's messing with your emotions. Think about how much healthy fat your getting in your diet since that will help keep your calories up and support your hormone levels. Lactose free whole milk and lots of scrambled eggs worked for me.

-Mark
HH/NF full wrap 2/21/2017
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