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Feeling alot of stomach discomfort after a Fundoplication

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 11/5/2019 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
I had been suffering from heartburn and acid reflux related issues due to a Hiatal Hernia for 6 months before my surgery. I had a Toupet fundoplication done on May 22nd. It has been a very hard recovery ever since. My surgeon asked me to ween off of Dexilant 60mg ( which was the only thing that helped with my heart burn). 3 months after surgery and the heartburn stopped. However I am experiencing a lot of stomach discomfort with everything that I ingest. When the food goes in my stomach this really uncomfortable gurgling and gassy sensation begins to occur immediately. My stomach feels super sensitive and it is making me so depressed. I cannot wait more than 2 hours to put something in my stomach because the gurgling and discomfort becomes worse. I believe that maybe it is due to an over production of acid. I cannot help to think that this is going to be the new since I am 5 months into recovery. I have often read about people suffering from gas and bloat issues but not so much stomach sensitivity to food.
Posted 11/5/2019 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
The Fundoplication surgery is a very difficult recovery, and I tell people it should be your last resort. First, you are still very early into your recovery, I started to feel better around 6 months, and the "new" me at approximately 1 year. What you are experiencing is very common. Have you tried taking an anti-gas (simethicone) medication? Please remember that you had major abdominal surgery and it takes a while for the digestive system to recover. If you are still having issues with certain foods, stop, and try again in a few weeks. You might want to try and go back to a soft/mushy diet to see if your symptoms improve.

Sharon
Posted 11/5/2019 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for taking the time out respond to my post. I have taken Gas-x and it helped somewhat although I don’t believe the gurgling of the stomach does not have to do with gas. The medications I was taking before surgery did not seem to help with my nauseating symptoms and coughing. Also my surgeon stated that the Hiatal Hernia was going to be a progressive issue and advised me to get it fixed right away. Do you believe that at 5 months I should still be experiencing this much discomfort. I went back on the PPI’s so that I could heal more comfortable however I am still a bit miserable. What month did you feel like your stomach was not bothering you anymore?
Posted 11/5/2019 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Your surgeon should have prescribed an anti-nausea medication (Zofran),I am never without it. If you are not having heartburn symptoms, you might want to ask your surgeon about weaning off of the Dexilant, again. At this point you should not be having acid issues as the surgery should have taken care of this. The gurgling is a very common symptom as well as the gas, you just need to give it time. I can tell you that everyone's recovery is different, and we are not medical professionals and only speak from personal experience. I think most surgeons don't do a good enough job explaining what your body will go through post-surgery and recovery. I think you are expecting too much, too soon. It's common to feel better and then experience small setbacks along the way. As I said, I felt better around six months and the most improvement after one year. I'm curious, did you get a second opinion before you had the surgery?
Posted 11/6/2019 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
I went to three gastroenterologists before I consulted a surgeon and got this surgery. All three gastro doctors continued to tell me that I would get better with the medication which I did not. So I decided to go on with the surgery after suffering from Severe GERD symptoms for 5 months straight.
Posted 11/6/2019 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
The reason that I asked is that most people don't have surgery after 6 months of symptoms.
Posted 11/6/2019 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
I had the acid issues for years prior to that and then the heart burn came along with it recently and that’s why I decided to get the surgery because that’s what drew the line for me
Posted 11/6/2019 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
If you don't feel that you are getting enough relief at this point, go back and see your surgeon.

Sharon
Posted 11/16/2019 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
SharonZ, could you elaborate on “feeling better after 6 months/ ‘new me’ after a year”? I’m 6 weeks into recovery and same complaint as Arletty88. I have gurgling and lots of gas despite taking simethicone twice a day. It doesn’t matter what I eat. FODMAP diet hasn’t helped. Probiotics haven’t helped. Also still having heartburn and taking Pantoprozole. I’m getting discouraged.

Bernie
Posted 11/18/2019 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't really notice much improvement until around 6 months, and at one year felt normal. By "new" me, I mean that there were still foods that I had issues with, and waves of nausea for no reason. You need to remember that everyone's recovery journey is different.

Sharon
Posted 11/18/2019 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sharon,
When you say food that you were still having issues with, do you mean that you were still having problems swallowing or that the food didn’t set well in your stomach still ?
Posted 11/19/2019 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sharon. You’re right about doctors not giving patients the whole story. The gas and bloating was a surprise for me.
Posted 11/20/2019 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Things like salad, steak and fluffy rolls had the tendency to stick at the wrap site. Swallowing wasn't an issue.
Posted 11/20/2019 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Sharon,
What about an upset stomach and acid issues after meals ?
Posted 11/20/2019 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
It's common to have nausea related issues post-surgery, but after surgery I had no acid issues.
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