You are correct about eating cruciferous veggies. I wasn't able to eat this way post-op. It took maybe 3 months if I remember correctly. I did have lots of problems with gas/bloat and I mean big-time. I even had a gastric emptying test and failed it miserably. With time the gas bloat has gotten better, unfortunately, practically most people who have had a nissen experience the gas/bloat problem. I take probiotics and I think this helps, especially with digestion. I would say, at least in my case that the gas/bloat has barely improved in about 3 months ago, so it does take time.
It was very difficult and it took lots of time and patience, I think my gastroparesis has improved. I do make sure to drink lots of water and I think it does help (the gastro doc told me to drink lots of water). You will have to wait quite a while until you will be able to drink more liquids (volume wise). I still have some lung problems on/off and I have had cat scans, pulmonary function test and my lungs are very sensitive. I can't even stand to smell perfume or smoke because if I do I feel contriction in my lungs. The pulmonary doc said that the reason they are sensitive is because I had aspirated acid into my lungs and they are hypersensitive (I call this problem the lung debacle). I never had any lung problem in my life until I had acid reflux.
As far as vitamins goes, I was taking chewables, and the calcium was liquid. I was very lucky that I didn't have lots of swallowing problems (knock on wood) so far. My surgeon, at least what he told me does a loose wrap. I think that around the 3-4 month mark I was drinking the calcium pills. I would definately wait on taking the jumbo calcium pill like you mentioned because it may get stuck, and the last thing you'd want to do is panic. The health store does sell calcium in liquid form.
I also had the hiatal hernia repair which is the nissen procedure. I do remember that especially after the surgery and even many months later, I did feel this funky, weird pressure on my chest (like where the wrap is located). When ever I lift anything really heavy, that is where I feel the discomfort but yes, even at 16 months I still sometimes get chest pain. This was very difficult for me to accept. I would say about 2 months ago, I have finally accepted that the reason I have this chest pain/discomfort is because my stomach is wrapped around my esophagus and we were not born like this and this is the way it will be from now on. I am scheduled for an endoscopy in April but will wait until the summer. One more thing, I am a teacher and whenever I'd get upset or yell (and this was for months) it has barely gotten better, I'd get big painful chest pain. Sometimes, when this occured I felt as if I'd taken 3 steps back. Good luck, Barbara.....