Post Nissen Questions

Hi Kathryn:

You have probably have reached the point where you experience peak swelling from the wrap. It's unlikely that you damaged the wrap, but I'm sure you'll feel better when you speak to your surgeon. Just remember that recovery is a slow process, and you can expect small setbacks along the way. Relax, it does get better!

Sharon

Let us know how your test goes!

Hi Kathryn,

Welcome to the Healing Well 😊Wrapped Club!😊 What you’re experiencing is totally normal and part of the healing process. Check out this early recovery journal—it should help you have a better idea of what to expect.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=4097753

Early recovery is challenging, and it’s totally understandable that you would worry about the success of your surgery. Hang in there—it gets better!

I remember calling my surgeon at your stage, worried that my surgery was a failure. It’s a worry shared by most of us in early recovery.

Take care,
Denise

Hi Kathryn

Glad to read your test came out great. I am post op 1 month and I experienced the exact same thing you are. I swallowed great in hospital and for the first week and then after that swallowing was difficult. I burped right from the get go. Swallowing gets harder, as like Sharon said, you are getting close to peak swelling of the wrap area from the surgery. Even water was hard to swallow at times. I had to resort to warm water. Believe me, in time, it will get better. I am still eating soft foods mostly mashed after 1 month. It takes time. It's hard to understand it because we feel good on the outside. If something you eat is hard to get down, resort back to softer foods and it will get better.

Be patient with yourself and your healing and you have found a great forum to help you through this. It is a slow process I am finding.

Take care,

Shanon

Hi Kathryn,
Two weeks post op is a challenge time due to swelling of the wrap. Pain at the wrap site is very common at your stage. With time it will subside. You may be getting some food/liquids held up at the wrap that could possibly cause you some problems, so be sure to sip your tea and swallow a bit more when you’re done eating.

Hang in there! The first few weeks are the toughest. Things will improve with time. My surgeon warned me after my surgery that things would get worse during the first two weeks or so, before they got better.

Take care,
Denise

When I had my surgery I was told that most of the healing occurs in the first six months, and the rest takes a year. I was still having occasional dumping at the year mark, and maybe 3 months later noticed it was no longer happening. Between now and the six month mark you’ll find tremendous improvement. Just remember to eat slowly and chew, chew, chew your food THOROUGHLY when you start being more adventurous with your food choices. Sips tea or a warm beverage of you choice will help relax the esophagus and aid in swallow.

Recovery will come—it just takes time and patience!😉❤️

Kathryn-
Try drinking liquid sips every 10-15” between meals. Doing it slowly and not with meals helps you keep more fluids in. I found warm teas in a carafe especially nice because they went down easily.
Remember, take it one day at a time. Your body will let you know if you did too much. 😊
I kept some gas-x around for all those wonderful gas and/shoulder pains.
If you take short frequent walks, I noticed I had less gas.

Wishing you a painless recovery.
Carol

Hi Kathryn
I’m at 4 weeks too and have had some nausea today after egg and avocado and my tummy is gurgling dreadfully! I think I’ll stick to milk shakes if I go out for breakfast again and just experiment with food at home! It’s amazing how tired I get some days I guess it’s the limited diet and low protein.
It’s a long slow road but a worthwhile one withou heartburn and meds. 🙂
Cheers
Rosie

I have gotten three stomach bugs since my surgery. I always make sure to have Compazine suppositories on hand. They stop vomiting, which is hard on the wrap. Work like a charm.
Each time I was taken by surprise and vomited once. I could feel the pressure on the wrap, then it let go.