nissen surgery...griffdawg's Part 1 of 2 CLOSED

Well the surgeon called me and based on the results of my barium swallow (apparently it was bad, a tiny hernia but tons of reflux), and stomach emptying test was normal, and bravo test results (way too much acid), i'm set for surgery.  Right now i'm waiting for the official date, which the surgeon said he'd have for me tonight.  Any idea what the recovery time is and how long i should take off?  I work retail as a back up bookkeeper and cashier, so i don't know.  Anything i look out for?  Oh what foods should i stock up with?

thanks

griff

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 9/5/2009 9:17:20 AM (GMT-6)

Hi Griffdawg,
It's got to feel good to be moving forward. I assume you've researched your surgeon and know that he/she is experienced with Nissen Fundoplication surgery, and has done many of them successfully. As you're read here, that's the most important piece of the puzzle.

Every surgeon has a different eating protocol, but mine had me in the hospital for one night. I was on liquids in the hospital, then switched to soft at home for the first five days. That was when I went to the surgeon for a recheck. He then put me on "any food that you can chew to a liquid", which gives a lot of leeway. I actually tried out a variety of foods before surgery, so I knew what I could handle. The big trick is to remember to take small bites and chew. It's challenging after a lifetime of chewing foods very little and swallowing it pretty much whole.

I had applesauce, mashed potatoes with gravy, squash, egg custard, and yogurt. Pureed cream soups are also good. I actually had more soft foods prepared than I actually needed. I still have applesauce, broth, and squash in my freezer!

You'll want to have liquid Motrin or Tylenol on hand, so you can switch to that once you don't need the prescribed pain meds. Don't take no for an answer when requesting liquid pain meds. You'll feel much more comfortable with then. You'll want to ask your doctor for anti nausea meds to have on hand, since the surgery makes it impossible or at least difficult to vomit, so if you're unlucky enough to get a stomach bug, you'll want to be prepared. People have done damage to their wraps as they tried to vomit. Also, buy some Gas-X for any bloating you may experience after surgery.

The recovery is so much easier than I ever thought it would be. The surgical pain was minimal, and the eating issues weren't as bad as some of the severe GERD/gastritis eating issues I'd already had. It was a very nice surprise. I've been very happy with the results. My asthma is so much improved...it's amazing. I wish I'd had the surgery YEARS ago. Unfortunately my last GI doc was very negative on the option (as well as other, newer procedures). Also, my research online actually scared me further. I wish I'd had the surgery sooner, because I could have avoided some pretty severe physical problems brought on by too many steroids used to keep me breathing while the acid and bile was refluxing into my lungs and inflaming them constantly.

Good luck with your surgery, Griffdawg! Be sure to post your questions and experiences here. There are lots of members who can give your advice and support. The experienced and positive members here helped me have the courage to move forward with the surgery. They gave me advice and suggestions, and supported and encouraged me all the way through.
We're here for you, too!
Take care and best wishes!
Denise

I am scheduled for my lap nissen on the 19th of August I am so looking forward to being done with this. I can't offer you any advice on the surgery but we can go through it togethere with the help of those who have already gone throughthe surgery.
Mary

hello joy..;. actually my surgeon has been doing them for 20+ years, 99% sucess rate but he told me there is an always an exception but re=dos are so far 99% sucess too he said. H'es the head surgeon at kaiser in san diego (where i live), and i passed up his assistant cause he was brand new, so yay! he said i can't have EsophyX, because the partial sliding hernia is pressing against my heart is some cases, and the acid has already gotten into my lungs...:/ there for they can't go in thru my mouth but im checking out the details on it too. My surgeon also said he's done a lot of surgies after the EsophyX, but he said it's usually 2 or 3 years before they need the big one and he even told me to check it out. let me know how it goes joy !!
griff

griffdawg

I am glad to hear you have your answers and now a plan in place.

I am glad to see you are asking questions and arming yourself with as much info as you can going into surgery. 

Remember we will all be here for you and cheer and support your throughout your surgery and post op so lean on us and know we care.

Wishing you the best,

Kitt

Hi Griffdawg,
You've got a great attitude, and that's half the battle. Six weeks of no heavy lifting (I think my surgeon said nothing over ten pounds, but I wouldn't swear to it), seems to be the general standard for hernia repair. Be sure to follow that direction, since an intact hiatal hernia will hold the flap in place.

I don't remember what pain drug I was on. In the hospital they gave it to me in an elixir form (at my insistence), but for some reason they insisted on sending me home with pills. I would suggest that you are very assertive about getting liquid pain medicine. Even if you could swallow it, you won't feel comfortable trying it. You'll end up crushing it and mixing it with something. I is so much easier and more palatable in liquid form. I needed it in the hospital, then maybe one or two days at home at the most. Then I switched to liquid Tylenol. (Motrin might be better, but I have a very sensitive and reactive stomach, so Tylenol was the only thing I could take.

Keep those questions coming!
Take care and enjoy some crazy eating!
Denise

ah!!!! the dang surgeon scheduled me under the wrong surgery so i have to wait for him to reschedule!!! :(

denise,
thanks for the words on liquid meds, i gotta remember that! Yeah ill stick wit the tylenol because my stomach is very sensitive:)

bea,
thanks for the good words!! yeah i gotta be really careful going back to work than... yipe!

griff

dang rite! the lesser of the problems all i know is throwing up acid is no fun before and it still isn't and the ppi's make me feel eh and dont seem to work at all:/
thanks janice!:)

Good luck griff! I hate that they messed up your schedule. I hope you don't have to wait too long.

Joy

*hugs* thanks for all the support, having a positive attitude is half the battle (at least half), as u guys say! ^_^
yeah apparently they scheduled me (the nurse did it) for liver surgery... i was all, "um... i dont want that..."
so now i prob have to wait another week plus before they can reschedule and even then i don't know how long it will be before the surgery....im majorly bummed but im patient!:)
joy, hows the status on ur surgery with esophex (sp?)?
thanks kitt!
wow 10 pounds huh bill.. thats gonna be rough for me but ill be very careful...
griff

yup good luck!! i know everything will go alright!
family is from deep south and i learned a lot from them lol sadly though im from southern california born and raised'

Good luck! Hopefully soon I will get some results and have a surgeon that is good!! Well wishes

Ronee'

ronee: all will be good, u just gotta find the rite surgeon and the rite time and everything will fall into place:) keep me updated plz!
griff