Hi, I'm 3 and a half weeks out from having my (360°) Nissen Fundoplication & (large) hernia repaired with Bio mesh.
My surgery was finished late in the afternoon, & that very first evening I slept laying down, for the first time in years (prior to the surgery, I had to sleep sitting up, otherwise every single time I would regurgitate as soon as I drifted off to sleep & would wake up violently choking & wheezing as a result). The following morning the doctor asked me if I wanted to cease my Nexium; I'm not going to lie, I was too scared- so I told the doctor I was too nervous. The following morning the doctor asked me again, and he then said "you shouldn't need them anymore, because of the surgery"- so with great trepidation I stopped my Nexium. I haven't had any heart burn at all (since before the surgery) -which really surprised me because I had severe GERD (I had such severe GERD pre-surgery; that it caused me to need 27 fillings done on my teeth, and resulted in my eosophagus turning into Barrett's).
As the previous commenter said, everyone is different with their recovery, and some people still need their meds- in saying that, I'd be requesting a review with your surgeon so you can let him know you are still having symptoms.
My surgeon insisted I have a barrium swallow done, before he was happy to discharge me from the hospital (he said he wanted to make 100% sure the surgery worked); maybe ask your surgeon what his thoughts are on you having a follow up swallow done, to check the wrap is still in place, etc.
Although I've had zero regurgitation or heartburn since the surgery, I have been having other troublesome symptoms instead, for example I keep experiencing horrendous chest pain everytime I eat (I'm still on a puree diet for another 3 weeks yet, and am making sure I'm having small frequent meals). If I were you, I would definitely try and make an appointment with your surgeon for a review, so you can let them know what is going on. Take care, Cheers.
