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8 weeks post fundoplication

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/24/2018 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 8 weeks since a giant hiatal hernia repair and a toupe fundoplication. My spasms and swallowing issues have subsided and my throat is much better. However 7 weeks in I think I've developed the gas bloat syndrome. Im passing lots of gas and it feels as if it gets stuck in sternum region. The middle of my chest hurts all day. It's not excrutiating but definitely painful. Is this normal? I'm not certain if it's gas related but I do feel some relief when I pass gas.
Posted 9/24/2018 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Also this past week I've been able to burp a decent amount. Should I be worried that my wrap has become loose or is this abdominal pain which sits on my chest bone normal
Posted 9/25/2018 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
Shayanv:

A lot of people that had the toupet wrap, can belch - usually not as before. It's very common to experience gas symptoms, have your tried any anti-gas medication containing simethicone? Have you recently advanced your diet and that is possibly causing the gas? If so, I would go back to soft mushier foods for a few days and then advance your diet as before.

Sharon
Posted 9/25/2018 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sharon. I went for a chest x-ray and found out that I had mild costochondritis. I took 2 Advils and the pain is gone. My main issue still is the burning in the stomach which my doctor thinks is visceral hypersensitivity and my throat burns occasionally too. It's better than pre op but the burning in the throat is still there and the stomach burning is something new. Please help
Posted 9/26/2018 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
You are still in the recovery process. Sometimes the symptoms don't go away as quickly as we would like, and everyone's recovery is unique. Some people go back on PPIs for a short time post-surgery, that could be an option if you don't get relief soon. As far as bloating, if you can't pass gas by belching as before, it only has one other way to escape - try the simethicone. I didn't feel a lot better until around 6-months, and the "new" me at one year and my surgery was a complete success.
Posted 9/26/2018 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
I keep thinking my wrap has been compromised. My GI keeps saying it's not possible for bumpy rides or exercises for this to happen but I'm so paranoid.
Posted 9/26/2018 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Please take a deep breath and relax. Worrying/anxiety can cause/make your symptoms seem worse. You should direct your concerns to your surgeon and not your GI. Visceral Hypersensitivity usually means that you have a lower threshold for pain in the abdominal area. You are still very early into your recovery and I know I sound like a broken record, but it's true. Your recovery may have numerous small setbacks, but it's all part of the process. You also need to remember that the toupet wrap is 270 degress where the Nissen is a 360 degree wrap. The toupet will allow for belching and vomiting. Again, please give yourself more time to recover.

Sharon
Posted 9/27/2018 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
I feel a little relaxed. 🤗

I should be happy that I haven't had to take those ppis and ranitidine over the past 8 weeks.

My throat feels so much better on most days. Some days after I eat some brown food, it burns.

What bothers me still is a new/different type of pain in my wrap site.

It's a deep achey kind which has remained for over a week just after a weekend with my brother where I did eat more than I've ever since surgery.

I also had a endoscopy while I was in NJ from the surgeon who did the toupe where he said everything looked normal and showed me pictures too.

It was in the bus ride back where I was extremely uncomfortable. It was rough with lots of sharp turns and jumps. I could feel something was not right inside each time the bus maneuvered.

The abdominal pain started right after along with me releasing lots of gas and my stomach making all sorts of noises..

It feels like swelling in the wrap area.but why after 2 months?
Posted 9/27/2018 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
I'm back in Canada now. My surgeon in the US has asked that I send him upper GI series results. I'm going on Monday to get the test done.
Posted 9/27/2018 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Oh and thank you so much Sharon for helping myself and so many others. I hope to follow you soon.
Posted 9/27/2018 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
You will most likely encounter small setbacks during your recovery, most people do, and they usually subside rather quickly. The gurgling in your stomach is normal, just remember you've had major abdominal surgery and your stomach is still angry. Just be careful with the types of foods and how much you eat at this stage in your recovery. You should still try and eat at least 6 small meals a day (I know it's hard), and the pain in the wrap may just be an indication that you have slightly overdone your eating pattern. I found it helpful when I experienced discomfort at the wrap site, to go back to a softer diet for a week to let things settle down. I didn't start to feel a lot better until 6-months post-surgery, and my "new" me at approximately 1 year.

Hang in there, Sharon.
Posted 9/28/2018 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
I'm almost two months post op. Still have bad and good days. I'm barely eating -two avacados, two small yogurts and tea and coffee throughout the day and Mac and cheese with wedges in the night.

Still losing wait. The pains are still there -chest, back. Mild burn in throat. Stomach is outta wack..gurgling, passing gas with gastritis type mild burning.
Posted 9/28/2018 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
Everything you are experiencing is normal, and most people lose weight and then gradually gain it back when they resume their normal diet. I found things like oatmeal, cream of wheat, protein shakes I made in the blender, peanut butter toast (toasted well), and scrambled eggs to be my easiest foods to consume. I tried to stay away from a lot of dairy, because it tended to irritate my stomach more than other foods. I know it's hard to accept but you are still fairly early in your recovery process. You can always call your surgeon's office with your concerns and/or speak with a nutritionist.
Posted 10/2/2018 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Update; 9 weeks post toupe fundoplication and hiatal hernia repair.

I had some grilled parmesan chicken with potatoes and grilled vegetables for lunch and a mini pizza for dinner.

Coffee with milf still gives me an upset stomach.

Overall feeling better but I still have this pain in my chest / sternum Everytime after i eat. It's constant. Also, I feel short of breath so these could be minor spasms.

Overall feeling better but it would be awesome if this sternum pain and shortness of breath go away.
Posted 10/2/2018 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
You may be experiencing gas buildup, and don't realize it. Take some anti-gas meds (simethicone), to see if that relieves some of the pressure.
Posted 10/6/2018 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Update 10 weeks. I'm eating well now and my appetite has returned.

My only symptom now is shortness of breath and strange weird pain in my sternum region along the back as well. The doctors don't think much of it since I'm only 31 but it's very stressful.

I'm having a pulmonary function test on Tuesday. Will update you on the results.

I'm really worried. I don't think it's gas since I'm gasping for air almost 24/7
Posted 10/7/2018 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
Another update. My barium swallow results show a small peptic ulcer which could be causing the abdominal pain and back pain. Back to ppis.
Posted 10/7/2018 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
One more question, I had a dry heaving episode today while in the shower. It only lasted a few seconds and only mucus came out. Should I be worried about the wrap coming undone
Posted 10/7/2018 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Sharon z are you there 😋
Posted 10/8/2018 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
Shayanv:

Do you have a script for Zofran for nausea?

Sharon
Posted 10/10/2018 10:44 AM (GMT 0)
Shayanv,
How is the coscochondritis, maybe the pain is still from that? I had it once, it was horrible. I thought I was having a heart attack. I couldn't even roll over in bed when I had it.
Posted 10/15/2018 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
The truth is here. I'm not sure if it's costo...

I'm 10 weeks post my fundoplication. Everytime I eat, I have this pain in my sternum / abdomen area. My apetite has improved. I still have a ton of mucus in my throat. I started having shortness of breath. Got multiple chest x Ray's and pulmonary function tests done. All are normal. The ER doctor mentioned that it is due to spasms and he gave me a steroid inhaler for that. No asthma , emohysemia , lung disease etc.

I'm so depressed. My throat still hurts from time to time. I'm thinking I never should have got the fundo....

I asked my doc whether some dry heaving would unsettle the wrap and he said it wouldn't... Only if its prolonged and if you actually vomit or get a stomach virus that lasts for days would this happen.

Ive had barium x-rays , endoscopy , chest x Ray , lung function tests and all are clear..

😑
Posted 10/15/2018 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
Shayanv:

I can't stress this enough - you are still in the recovery process, you need to give it time and it will get better. I know this is frustrating, but it takes time and you will experience small setbacks along the way.

Sharon
Posted 10/19/2018 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Shayanv,

I am 4 months now. If I eat too fast, or eat foods like bread or pancakes it WILL get stuck and it will be painful. I too am frustrated; it happens almost every other day. I simply get too comfortable eating and it gets stuck again.

Surgeon said this will get better and better. I don't think you are alone in this and I don't think its abnormal. It sucks, but sticking to finger foods, loose foods, seafood and chicken will probably help. Those only get stuck if I eat way too fast. Stuff like chipotle never gets backed up.

Another thing I have to stop "trying" is having carbonated beverages with my meals. If things get backed up, adding soda just makes it worse.

As frustrating as this MAY BE, I'd never go back to having acid reflux every meal, every hour, every day and every night. I would wake 2-3 times a night from acid reflux, and vomit from it at least twice a week. I just need to remind myself what it was like before.
Posted 10/22/2018 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
YamahaR1:

You are absolutely right, your symptoms are normal. I found that as we advance our diet, we forget to chew food to almost a liquid. Certain bread products still cause issues for me almost 4 years later. I never went back to carbonated beverages or alcohol, it wasn't worth the side effects for me.

Sharon
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