270 degree wrap next week, when does the appetite come back?

Hi there, I am new to the forum and scheduled for a 270-degree toupet fundoplication next week. I have been reading everything I can about the surgery/recovery and feeling a little nervous as too the outcome improving my quality of life. I am a 53yr male with a type 3 hiatal hernia and about 50% of stomach above the diaphragm, GERD controlled with 1 Nexium a day.

I have had GERD for many years now, pretty well controlled with one Nexium a day, but back in early 2020 I started noticing getting full at lunch sooner. I noticed not finishing my Fries with my burger, then not finishing both burger or fries. I started to notice I just didn’t get hungry anymore :/ By the time I went into the doctors I had lost about 10lbs(June 2020), Dr. thought I had gastroparesis. Did an Endoscopy that showed a hiatal hernia and did an emptying study which was slightly slow, but not abnormal. Both PCP and Gastro dr. didn’t think the HH was responsible for the loss of appetite and weight loss(20lbs September). This did confirm my thoughts that I had a space catching undigested food that I would sometimes spit out when brushing my teeth which I thought I should of had to vomit to get out. Also brought some clarity to the chest pain I would have from time to time.

To further confuse things, blood work came back with High platelet and eosinophils and I had bowel changes happening. I went to a gastrologist, rheumatologist and hematologist trying to connect the dots of loss of appetite and abnormal blood work and bowel changes. During this journey I had two CT scans, dozens of blood tests. All the doctors I saw were concerned but didn’t know the reason for the loss of appetite or high platelets and high eosinophils or bowel changes.

During my journey of discovery, I had a colonoscopy which was clear except it showed a “tortuous/redundant” sigmoid colon. Now I have two structural issues with my stomach/colon system. This is when I had an appointment with a foregut surgeon, and he said the HH is the reason for the loss of appetite (down 40lbs now).
I’m a little nervous knowing I already don’t have an appetite and worried this will not change after surgery…. I like feeling hungry. Having to eat many small meals for the hernia and having to stay soft to prevent constipation, along with no real appetite……. eating has lost its enjoyment. Has anyone had the loss of appetite before the surgery and had it come back after recovery?

I had that surgery about a month ago. And initially the appetite got better but when I started tapering off the ppi it got worse. Losing weight when you are thin to begin with is depressing. Everyone’s experience is different. I’ve had a rough recovery but perhaps my expectations were unrealistic. I knew weight loss was to be expected. But my family doesn’t understand they think you get this surgery and you should feel better quicker. I don’t like the new me. I look sick and feel sick. Maybe I was too thin to get this surgery. Best of luck.

Helrade:

Most people do lose weight and then gain it back as they get further in their recovery. At two months post-surgery, you may be expecting too much too soon. If you are concerned about your weight, please contact a nutritionist.

Sharon

Post Edited (SharonZ) : 7/13/2021 2:10:16 PM (GMT-6)

You are very early in your recovery and you have just recently had major abdominal surgery, don't expect too much too soon. I would follow the post-surgery diet that was given to you by your surgeon. You appetite will slowly return to normal. I didn't feel much better until 6 months post-surgery, and the "new" me at around 1 year.

Sharon

I would move from the baby food to things like smoothies, oatmeal, cream of wheat. I also ate things like italian ice and popsicles. Just curious, did the surgeon's diet include baby food? I used UPMC's post-Nissen diet, you can google it and see what you diet should look like. Did you ask when you should be exercising and doing housework, as you are only two weeks out?

Sharon

Sometimes the baby food can be too sticky, and gets caught going down. Pills were never an issue for me, but you can grind them up and swallow with applesauce.

I have to go from memory, as I don't have my diet plan brochure anymore. You should avoid food that could bloat you (cabbage, beans etc) for one. No alcohol or spicy food.

Week 1: thin watery soup, no chunks. Jello.
Week 2: thicker soup. Don't think chunks are allowed yet?
Week 3: Things like scrambled eggs, very smooth mashed potatoes. Yogurt.
Week 4 (or maybe only week 5): Pasta and things like spaghetti bolognaise. This was where my life changed. I was so looking forward to this.

Around 4 or 5 weeks was when my appetite began to come back. I would be hungry, eat till I'm full, then be hungry 30 min later while still feeling full. It was quite a strange experience.
I lost 10kg after the surgery and gained about 6kg back over the course of a year.

After 6 weeks I could slowly start eating normally again. Small portions, chew my food well. Lots of water with my meals.

I don't think I could swallow pills before the 6 week mark. The anti-inflamatories I needed had to go in the other end.

Post Edited (Kerrits) : 9/30/2021 11:20:55 PM (GMT-6)

WendyE:

Your surgeon should have given you a diet to follow post-surgery. If not,you can google the UPMC post-Nissen diet. As far as your appetite, everyone is different. Also, ask your pharmacist if you can grind your pills and take them with applesauce.

Sharon

I highly suggest not advancing your diet too quickly, and you are less than two weeks from surgery. The possible side effects are foods getting stuck above the wrap, severe sharp stomach pains, nausea, bloating. There is a reason that they give you a diet to follow. There is a chance that you still may experience small setbacks. during your recovery.

Sharon