Posted 1/19/2019 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Like the title says... 13 months post Nissen!
It's been a while since I posted a status update. I meant to post at the 1 year mark but with the holidays... well, I'm sorry I didn't make that happen.
I guess the reason it's been so long since I last posted is because there really isn't anything to post. My recovery has been smooth for the most part and I attribute that to having an incredible surgeon. I got extremely lucky to have been referred to a surgeon who turned out to be one of the best at anti-reflux surgery. Unfortunately he has since retired. I really do feel as though I lucked out with my timing.
After suffering with reflux for 21+ years I can say that this surgery was life changing. I haven't had a single episode of reflux since the surgery. No more pain. No more waking up in the middle of the night with extreme pain... nothing. It's amazing. I can eat pretty much anything I want but I still shy away from spicy foods. Not because they cause me any problems but because my palate isn't used to them. Any foods that are even mildly spicy are really just too hot for me to tolerate. My friends and co-workers often want me to try something spicy and I'm usually excited to give those foods a try.. but I just can't handle the heat..
Now let me talk about the mechanics of my wrap for a minute. Soon after I woke up in the hospital I found that I was able to expel small burps with no problem at all. I was VERY worried and talked to the doctor the next morning about this. He assured me it was fine. While most people cannot burp after Nissen, a small number of us get lucky... and it really is a relief! Granted, I cannot belch like I used to but these small burps do wonders at relieving pressure in my gut. I no longer have extreme gas like I did for the first several months, which was sometimes embarrassing. And more frequently than I would like to admit I forget that I have to eat slowly and I will get a bit of a backup at the wrap while my food passes through it. That is never fun, it hurts to be honest. But it's a good reminder that I need to take it easy.
My advise to anyone who is considering a Nissen is to do a little research on the surgeon you're going to use. Find out how many procedures they've done. Do they specialize in Nissen or is it just one of many surgeries they perform? Call around and find a doctor YOU are comfortable with. Don't just go with the first one you are sent to without checking around to see if you find someone better. Ask your doctor the same question I did "Who is the best at this surgery?"
For those of you who are going to have your procedure soon or have recently had it done just remember, take it SLOW. Applesauce, pudding and soups are your friends for as long as it takes to move to new foods. There is NO rush to get to breads and pastas. OH! And find a good protein drink to help supplement your calorie intake.