Post Nissan Issues

Hi All,

So it has now been 4 weeks and 1 day since my nissan fundoplication which was on January 6. I still feel after I eat that I have air that goes all the way up to my ear and small little burbs. I had two barium swallow tests since the surgery and I know it didn't show acid reflux anymore but do you know what that is? It is causing me concern because it feels like it is reflux sometimes it happens in the middle of eating where the air comes up to my ear. Also I noticed when I drink liquid it stays near my throat after drinking the liquid. Did anyone experience this after the nissan fundoplication? I know on my second barium swallow it showed that I had a motility problem. That was the second week after surgery. The surgion said that it should get better. Do you think the liquid near my throat is from the motility problem? I just want these issues to go away. Any reassurance would be great. Thanks.

Gas in the stomach is something we wrappers have to deal with if our wraps are working well. It's mostly air we swallow that causes discomfort. You may be able to burp a little in a month or two. It's too early to worry excessively.

You may also have a blocked or swollen eustacian tube (the tube that drains the ear into the esophagus). I take Mucinex twice a day for congestion, but that's a time-release and you can't crush it. The active ingredient is guaifenesin, which is cheap and OTC, but it doesn't work very long. Maybe it's worth a try. You could crush the generic.

The only thing the surgeon will likely have to offer is stretching the esophagus at the wrap. Since you really don't want to loosen it just yet, I would just be patient and stick with liquids, meds included. You are still in the early stages of recovery! I had to be on liquids for about 2 months because pills and soft foods got stuck. The medium size ones and the uncoated tablets still get stuck, but I have a very weak swallow to begin with.

Ekirch - try butter! It makes them nice and slippery and tastes good too.