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Physical activity 9 weeks post fundlopication and hernia repair.

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Posted 3/21/2019 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone
Well here I am 9 weeks post op and going well!
Mostly good days the odd oesophageal ache or heartburn like feeling after eating perhaps a bit much or too quickly. I’m still on less than a cup of food at a time but enjoying fish and a little bolognese and pasta was exciting!! I do still get a sharp shoulder pain or feeling of a stitch in my left ribs. This happens mostly when I lie down or after some exertion but I can move and it goes or is lessened.
I’m just wondering how everyone’s physical activity levels are after the op.
I play golf and my Doc. Said build up slowly only smaller clubs and effort to start ( from about week 6) and now I’m playing a bit more but not hitting woods or drivers which require a bigger swing.
I did notice the shoulder and stitch ache after a while this morning so I finished the round early.
Has anyone had any of these experiences or been given restriction re. Physical activity?
Cheers
Rosie
Posted 3/21/2019 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Rosie:

Congratulations, it sounds like you are recovering quickly. I do know that there is quite a variety in the restrictions from different surgeons. You did the right thing when you felt some aching to take it easy.

Sharon
Posted 3/21/2019 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sharon
Yes I’m just taking it easy. I’m still struggling with some unusual “heartburn” which concerns me but I keep reminding myself my surgeon said I’d feel that but it was how my oesophagus interprets the inflammation. I think Denise said much the same in a post.
I don’t think you can anticipate what a long slow process this is until your here! It’s so different to other surgery recoveries but the choice and quantity of food, eating, and chewing all become second nature. I’d probably say at this stage eating out is the most difficult...... thank goodness for milkshakes! 😉
Cheers
Rosie
Posted 3/22/2019 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
I am 8 days out, doing pretty well. Counting down the days to next Thursday for my 2 week checkup when I get these staples out and hopefully graduate to a few more foods. I am experiencing some major heartburn the last couple days but trying not to get upset about it. I think that's normal, isn't it?
My husband and I went to Cracker Barrel for lunch and I ordered their beef vegetable soup and just strained off the broth and ate it. Eating out is going to be difficult for awhile, I can tell. But, all in all, I think I am handling it pretty well considering how much I love to eat. Lol!
Posted 3/22/2019 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
Jonesmillgal:

You are really early in your recovery, but what you are experiencing is normal. The diet restrictions seem to be more difficult initially, but then you get used to it. I used the UPMC Post-Nissen diet, and it worked really well for me and it provided some good meal tips.

Sharon
Posted 3/23/2019 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
Just to vent a little here......... I don't think I was fully prepared for the seriousness of this surgery. I consider it "major surgery" and for sure it has rocked my world. I'm not blaming my doctor and I would definitely do it all over again, but this diet is kicking my butt. I realize soon this will all be just a bad memory, but I guess I just needed to whine a bit. Lol! And I'm 64 years old!
Posted 3/25/2019 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
Jonesmillgal:

That is a common complaint, most surgeon's don't do a good enough job explaining what your recovery journey will be like and how the difficult the dietary restrictions can be. I had my Nissen in my 50s, and it took me a good 6 months before I started to feel better and a year before I felt like the "new" me. The best advice I can give you is to expect small setbacks along the way and don't expect too much, too soon.

Sharon
Posted 3/25/2019 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reassurance!
Posted 3/30/2019 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I'm now in my 3rd week post surgery, and experiencing some really bad heartburn, mostly in the evening. I'm trying not to get discouraged, but after all I've been through, I really didn't want to still be battling this. My doctor told me to take 2 Tums morning and night and to wean off my Nexium and Protonix. I guess I'm just needing to hear that some of you may have experienced this same thing.
Thanks for your input.
Posted 4/23/2019 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
I had my Nissan in December 27, 2018 and for 3 months I felt great with no heartburn. I went on a road trip with my husband and had a couple of foods that I wouldn't normally eat and 2 beers and ever since then I have heartburn everyday with most everything I eat. I am SO discouraged! I was doing so well and now I feel like this will be my life!! I had to go back on Rhantidine everyday as antacids weren't helping. I also get very nauseous with certain things I eat (never know what will trigger it) and try to throw up but of course, I can't. It is horrible!! My heart will race 100 miles an hour when I have this throwing up feeling. I went to the doctor and he said I could have stretched my wrap possibly as it has been very difficult for me to eat small bites and chew a lot. I try my hardest, but that has been the main struggle I have had! I pray that I have not done something to my wrap. I was having difficulty swallowing bread but now I can swallow it and have no difficulty so that worries me as well that I have stretched things out. He is going to do a barium swallow so they can see what it going on. Has anyone experience having heartburn and nausea at this point after surgery? It has been almost 4 months now since surgery. I have never had the nausea at all before surgery with my Gerd for many many years, but never had that feeling! Its horrible! I'm hoping this is just a small setback but I am really concerned at this point! sad

Post Edited (ShanonG) : 4/23/2019 2:20:27 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/23/2019 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Shannan G:

Has your doctor prescribed anti-nausea medication (Zofran), you need to keep it handy. I still experience waves of nausea occasionally, that seem to come out of no where, and I'm 5 years post-surgery. My suggestion would be to go back to a soft diet for a week or so, and see if you get some relief.

Sharon
Posted 4/23/2019 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
He did Sharon but to make matters worse my husband just lost his job and we are fighting with insurance company/employer so no insurance at the moment. Supposed to have coverage for 4 more months. Zofran is very expensive so am waiting to get it filled when this insurance issue is resolved. I definately will need something as this is horrible!
Posted 4/23/2019 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Another question, Sharon....I all of sudden the past 2 weeks have had a little bit of a breathing issue. I have had a lot of sinus issues going on and usually do have seasonal allergies but this is a bit different. Along with the nose, head sinus issues, I am having a bit of a cough and when I laugh especially. In the morning I will have mucus, when I cough almost like its a chest cold but I don't have a cold at all. Its just odd. When I breath in it's a bit shortness of breath but not bad. Just wondering if you have heard of this post Nissan? I will ask the doctor about it when I got back May 6th. It has just come on with the horrible weather we been having a lot of rain and just miserable cold weather. Perhaps it's just my sinuses and allergies but its just never affected my lungs before. Just curious! Also, I think I will go back to a soft diet like you suggested and see where these other issues go.

Thank you!

Shanon
Posted 4/24/2019 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
ShannonG:

I would think it's some sort of seasonal allergies. Mine have been horrible recently. I never experienced shortness of breath, but some of the other members have and it eventually goes away. Just remember that you are still in the healing process and your will more than likely experience small setbacks along the way, but it does get better!

Sharon
Posted 4/24/2019 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Shannon
I’m also at the three month mark and suddenly suffering some general digestive discomfort, nausea and heartburn!
I’m hoping it’s just part of the process ...... I’m going overseas next week for a US holiday and I think the eating will be challenging, I’m still on a cup of food at a sitting, not much meat or raw fruit and vegetables.....I sure miss salads. If I eat a bit much or get ambitious I’m very uncomfortable!
It’s reassuring to read here of the 6 and 12 month milestones and to come to terms with this slow process .... it’s early days digestion wise. Other than being tired and lacking endurance I feel fine and just want to eat a normal meal!
As long as the heartburn is a reaction to the surgery and not any sort of failure I’ll be happy.
I hope we’ll look back in 12 months and be on here reassuring others 😊
Cheers
Rosie
Posted 4/24/2019 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Has anybody suffered a yeast infection in your esophagus? Well, I have! And it has been miserable. I have felt so bad. Saw my doctor and he put me on 21 day supply of Diflucan. I am slowly getting better. My surgery was 6 weeks ago today. I'm actually having pretty good luck venturing out with more foods.
Posted 4/24/2019 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Sharon! Allergies are really bad with people right now but it's reassuring to know that it's possible post Nissan. It is quite the process of up and downs for sure with the healing!

Rosie.....not that I want to say, Thank god someone else is having my symptoms but it makes me feel SO much better!! I feel like hearing this gives me hope that it is just something we are going through and part of the healing process. I went to another doctor in the office of my doctor that did surgery as mine couldn't see me and he made me feel like because I ate out of the way of normal for me, I could have very well stretched my wrap and done damage that could be permanent. sad It made me feel horrible! He wants me to have a barium swallow done already but I don't think I am going to go through with it when they call to schedule as I think it is too soon to tell and besides that I would have to pay for it in full as my husband just lost his job of 38 years and we now have no insurance. sad I hope you have a wonderful trip Rosie! I hope you are able to eat a bit normal and enjoy yourself! I am able to eat most anything now. I have not tried steak tho. Bread was going down a bit hard but as of the last 2 weeks it goes down fine which is another reason I have worried that I stretched my wrap but time will tell. Thank you for your words of confidence and let's hope that this is just a bump in the road for us.
Posted 4/24/2019 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Yes Shannon good to know there are these hiccups. My surgeon actually warned me that the body interprets the discomfort as heartburn and sends that message to our brains. I can’t imagine eating a bit much or quickly could disturb the wrap ...... there would be a lot more failures out there if that was the case!
I’m not on any meds at all and I find my heartburn is relieved by sucking a mint or having a drink .... not even taking any indigestion meds, so I think there must be inflammation there still as true reflux would not be relieved as quickly. I hope so anyway. I am going to call my surgeon before I go away just to confirm all this and check if I need to do anything else. The big issue travelling will be how much I eat, I’ll share meals with my husband when I can. I hear meals are generally large in the US so sharing will be good. My husband is coeliac so we will be looking for gluten free meals too ...... what a pair!! 😜
My op was January 18th so my next check and an endoscopy will be in July when we’re back home in Sydney.
I’ve also bought a powdered multi vitamin from a naturopath as I’m not up to pills yet, hopefully that will build me back up. I’ve lost about 12 kg which is actually good.
Hope your wrap settles, I agree that a step back to softer food may help I’m going to do a few days of that too.
Two steps forward one step back is how this seems to go,
Take care
Cheers Rosie
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