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Day 2 post Nissen Fundoplication w/ hiatial hernia repair

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Posted 12/30/2018 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. I’ve been suffering from sever GERD for the past four years. Had two upper endoscopies - one three years ago one in March. I was grade two Esophagitis and had a hiatial hernia found. After having my medication changed 5 times between March - October and nothing working, I got recommended to a surgeon. I was approved for surgery and had it yesterday.

Initially going in I did a lot of research, read patient stories,etc. Surgery went well but I was in a lot of pain. Most likely the gas pain from the procedure, made it difficult for me to breath and it hurt immensely. I stayed in the hospital most of the day to try and make sure I could manage the pain and make sure I can get liquids down. I was provided anti nausea meds which helped initially but haven’t really felt nauseous since the initial waking up from surgery. All night I was up every 4 hours to take pain meds. I didn’t sleep much.

Day two: gas pain has been aweful. I really felt it in my sternum and move up to the right side of my neck and under my right rib cage. I need assistance getting in and out of bed. Bless my patient boyfriend. I’ve been laying on my back and napped for about an hour. I was able to drink about a liter of water throughout the day, 1 1/2cans if chicken broth, and a little apple sauce. Every swallow was a little discomforting. Really have to go slow. To much water and broth made me bloated so I’m trying to find my balance. Want to slowly uptakenmy water more then anything.

Laughing is really painful. I purchased an abdominal binder off amazon that’s coming in a few days. I hope that helps with me being able to get up. I was walking around our living room for about 15 minuets just to get the blood flowing. No bowel movements yet, so I’m going to make some smooth move tea to help the process along. Every time I drink I burp just a little which has been good but is like to pass gas more often but that will come in time.

Day 3 I will take a shower the first time and that will feel good. I hope the gas pain will subside tomorrow. I also ordered some charcoal pills as I’ve heard that helps with bloating. I’ll keep you posted on the rest of recovery. Any tips you have to share. Please let me know! Cheers to a happy healthy new year!

Unsuccessfully tried to edit post topic.

Post Edited By Moderator (dencha) : 1/8/2019 1:38:28 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/30/2018 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Alissa
I just joined this forum as it seems quite a positive place to share and get reassurance and learn!
I am in Australia and I’ve suffered with ever increasing reflux for 20+ years and the meds have built up over time. My doctor says I probably should have had the surgery years ago and the ppi’s Are creating long term problems. I’ve always felt reluctant it seems a daunting recovery but I’ve bitten the bullet and I’m due for surgery January 18th. It was good to read of your recent experience.
I will be in the hospital for 3 nights which seems standard here and hopefully that will make the first few days a bit easier to manage. Apparently everyone’s journey is a bit different but no one here seems sorry they did this in the long run!
Looking forward to news of your recovery and I hope the gas pains ease and eating is soon a pleasure again 😊
Posted 12/30/2018 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hello! Good luck on your surgery! I wish I had stayed at least two days but my procedure was listed as out patient. I could have chosen to stay for pain management but seemed silly. Now I know why they offered it. Day two was the worst for me. It’s now day three and feeling a lot better. Going to shower for the first time. I have an Instagram where you can follow my journey as well : alissaalissy
Posted 1/3/2019 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
All of your pain will go away and you'll be so happy you did it. Promise.

Good luck!
Posted 1/4/2019 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi just joined as I have my op on 17th Jan and in uk. Also have had reflux for 20+ years and recently decided to do what I have put off for so long. Will be following you AlissaC1993 on your recovery and it will be interesting RosieinOZ on how we do being 1 day apart. Was planning on being in hospital overnight but I might make it 2 reading about the pain. Do they give you dissolvable pain relief or liquid?
Posted 1/5/2019 7:00 AM (GMT 0)
Alissa, how are you doing now? I remember my surgeon told me to prop myself up on 4 pillows to relieve the gas and also to get a good night's rest. And it worked so well, I continued sleeping that way for 2 weeks. Then I went down to 3 pillows for almost 3 weeks and then 2 pillows for several weeks after. The gas does take some time to resolve and being that most of what one is liquid, semi liquid or soft foods, there is a definite buildup of gas and early satiety. This does slowly improve. Just remember this is considered major surgery and the body has been through a lot. Rest a lot and take time to recover. Each day is better than the previous one. At 3.5 years post surgery, I wish I'd done it sooner instead of dealing with all of the symptoms for over 10 years. Keep us posted. And good luck!
Posted 1/6/2019 9:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all
Ah Rufus how interesting to be on opposite sides of the world undergoing this procedure!
Yes it will be good to share our progress! I’m very ready to have this fixed although apprehensive about the recovery! Making the decision to have this procedure has made me more aware of how often I have symptom and what has become my ‘normal’ is really not good.
I really appreciate your wonderful positive posts Reena and jesslg it’s so good to hear of succesful outcomes!
I hope you’re recovering well Alissa and will post hear again soon 😊
Posted 1/6/2019 9:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rosie,
I'm glad you have the option of 3 days. In the U.S., we're at the mercy of insurance companies and this procedure is considered an outpatient procedure with one day as standard, and a second day as something of a backup in the event one needs further medical care. Most of us however did return home the next day and managed at home. Which must mean recovery is possible at home. I made sure to set up everything to make recovery at home easier, like having clean sheets and towels within easy reach, propping up those 4 pillows so they were ready, buying all the food items as per the diet plan and keeping them easily accessible. When they say no stretching, lifting, bending, they mean it. Those activities can indeed be challenging. But with some common sense practice like making sure the clothes you'll need and all other personal items are within easy reach certainly helps. Everyone's recovery is unique since our underlying response to the condition is different not to mention how far along we are in our symptoms and whether or not we want to live a lifetime of meds. And then there's insurance that in the U.S. sometimes dictates one's decisions. But the post recovery is the best when you realize you no longer have reflux and can't remember a time feeling so good. I was able to do without pain meds and PPIs within 48 hours of surgery because frankly, the pain meds made me nauseous and the PPIs were a backup. Most of it was gas and not acid anyway. Chewing Gas-X tabs helped a lot. It's surgery, it's not easy but then again, a little patience and positive attitude go a long way. The gas pains are not fun especially since they rise to the neck, back, shoulders and head but they subside too. It takes a while. Walking helps. I scheduled it so I'd be recovering at the best time of year to go put for nature walks. Those are mood uplifting anyway. And I distracted myself with music, reading, watching sitcoms, etc. Good luck in your procedure and recovery. Eventually, we all feel fortunate we lowered our risk of cancer. And no longer need to spend ridiculous amounts of money every week just managing GERD and reflux.
Posted 1/11/2019 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
So I was all ready for my op on 17th Jan and got my head in the right place to go through it when found out today it has been cancelled due to bed shortages 😩
New date is 7th Feb.. Rosie hope it goes well and look forward to any updates you make re your recovery.
Posted 1/11/2019 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rufus,
Sorry to hear about your rescheduled surgery. It’s always hard to be ready and then be disappointed. The 7th will be here before you know it, and everyone here will be ready and waiting to be your cheering squad!😉
Hang in there!
Denise
Posted 1/11/2019 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Rufus how difficult for you! At least it’s not much longer, I’d go and lift a few things and enjoy anything you can’t do for a while after the Op.! (I’d play golf! 😊 )
I start the optifast liver fat reducing diet today with a week to go and was at a wedding last night and felt like it was the condemnds last meal ..... at least it was a good one even with the heartburn I suffered in the night 😒
I must say I’m very apprehensive about the recovery and I’m trying to avoid the negative posts.. My doctor says he has a 97% success rate and not to read things on the internet but the positive posts here are uplifting! I will have fluids for about two weeks, then purées for another two and he gradually lowers the dose of PPI meds over three weeks as you can’t just stop but need to wean off them.
Posted 1/17/2019 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck for tomorrow Rosie will be thinking of you and know you will have a successful op. I will keep an eye out for your progress reports 😁 speedy recovery.
Posted 1/17/2019 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone! I'm about to start week 4 tomorrow! Recovery has been going really well. I'm able to lay on my side when I sleep at night with minimal discomfort. I'm able to eat pasta, soups with ground meat, and everything has been going down just fine. I can tell it's still a bit tight, I can pretty much feel the food go all the way down my esophogus into my gut which is kinda strange but I'm sure that will lessen over time. Over the past few days though my abs have been sorer than usual. I think this could be because I'm back to work and am sitting up more which tends to engage the core more than just resting. But Most of my bloating has gone down. I still get a little gassy but NOTHING compared to the first days after surgery. I have no follow up appts with my doctor unless by week 8 I still have trouble eating but everything is looking really good and hoping that won't have to happen.
Posted 1/18/2019 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Alissa,
Thanks for continuing to post your progress here. It’s so helpful to others who come looking for information. It’s great to hear that you are continuing make good progress!

Be sure when you eat to take small bites and chew, chew, chew your food until it is a liquid consistency before swallowing. Don’t swallow anything that does not chew to a creamy/liquid consistency. It will make a big difference in how is your swallowing feels. Certain things are challenging. I had trouble with bread for a long time. It doesn’t chew of a liquid, that tends to form a bolus that is difficult to get past the wrap.

A warm drink can also help calm down the esophagus and make swallowing easier. Iced drinks are not helpful.

Happy healing!
Denise
Posted 1/21/2019 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dencha! Yes, I've noticed bread is still the most difficiult. I tried a chicken sandwich yeasterday taking small bites but couldn't get past the bread so I just ended up eatting the chicken breast instead haha. I find where I used to get things stuck I just have to be patient and wait for it to go down. I took a supplement the other day and the pill I thought was small enough to go down - took 20 mins - I regret that but glad I'm learning day by day. Yes, I keep tea with me everywhere I go. MUCH easier to eat food with a warm drink instead of cold water.I'll keep you all posted on my progress, thanks for being apart of this journey with me. I've had some incredible people reach out to me asking all about my recovery and my thoughts on the surgery. I'm glad to be able to give hope to people who are suffering. This has been an incredible forum for me to be a part of and so informative.
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