Recovering Nissen Fundoplication Part 1 of 2

Hi Sandi,
Hey, that's what we're here for! I had the surgery two years ago, and I continue to help out here because the people who were here then helped me so much.

From my calculations you're just about 6 weeks post-op. Your recovery is still in the baby stages! I was told by a more experienced member here that it takes 6 months for the majority of the recovery, and a full year for the rest.

It is true that we recover so quickly on the outside that we forget what we've actually had done. Your GI tract was literally revamped. Your stomach was stretched and wrapped around your esophagus, then stitched to stay there! Not to mention your hernia repair, that is just now finishing its healing.

When I was going through recovery the swelling of my stomach mimicked fullness, and I could eat very little without feeling totally full (I'm talking maybe a third of a cup total). I think that helped me. Be sure to keep your meals very small and eat more often.

Just because you're dumping now, doesn't mean you'll be dumping always. It will take a little time for things to straighten around. For me (fully healed)it's variable. It might be only a day, a couple days, or a week...then the dumping goes away the way it came...pretty inexplicably! The first time I experienced dumping I really worried. Some of the scary posts on the internet that almost kept me from having the surgery talked about dumping as a constant problem. It scared me to think that it might be happening to me.

When you've had this surgery, everything that happens is a real worry. We're so anxious to have our procedure a success that as we heal we're on pins and needles...hoping that things continue to progress.

As in everything, there are forward and backward steps. When we overdo it in the early stages of healing, we'll suffer the consequences...unfortunately, it's an unavoidable fact.

Here's another link with information on Dumping Syndrome. Most of what you read will refer to bariatric/weight loss surgery, but Nissen fundoplication also affects the stomach, and can be a cause.

Here's the link...
www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/dumping-syndrome.html

As I said, it's not something you have to worry about...like me, you may get it very occasionally even when you're fully healed, but it is still better than my pre-surgery condition! Some never get it.

Hang in there...it takes a few months to really get things under control. I had my surgery on February 27th, and by July 4th was on vacation and eating out freely, enjoying myself thoroughly. You'll get better...it's a gradual process, but it will happen!

Take care,
Denise

Sandi,
I'm just glad you've joined us! If I can be of any help, please just ask!
Keep Healing Well!
Denise

im am 28 and have had esophagitis for two months now, just recently been having the feeling of food being stuck in my throat. getting really worried, go to the doctors on wednesday and going to ask for a endoscopy to check it out. looking into getting surgery but dont know which one i should have. depressed and stressed dont know what else to do.

thanks joy for the advice, i just found this forum, because i wanted to talk to people that have been through this stuff. dont really have alot of people around me that know what im going through, so sometimes its difficult to deal with this on my own. i hope that its just medication i have to take. the esophyx looked promising to me but dont know if i can have that now. Scared of going under the knife dont really know alot about the nissen, any info on that would help. just really nervous about it getting worse.

Gene

hi denise. Yeah they put me on prilosec, but i was getting weird side effects like feeling like passing out and rapid heartbeat while i was sitting. It scared me so i stopped taking them after 2 days. And my doctor just wanted to up the dosage. Dont know what the docs suggestion is going to be. How long did it take to recover from esophagitis? Or do people heal at different rates? It frustrates me when people think im making this up, and tell them i cant do or eat the stuff i use to. people say i look like im fading away cause of the weight loss. I dont mind it, but i want to be healthy and maintain a certain weight. Im glad ive found this forum, felt like i had no one to talk 2 about this that understood. Thanks again for the info, keeps me from being so stressed out,to just let out how im feeling. Will be posting everyday.

i plan on staying on here for support. im going to fight this til i heal.Its very appreciated. Anyways gonna see how much sleep i can get. Tty tomorrow. Gen

Hi Gene,
I hope you got some sleep. Glad you're sticking around!
Denise

hurtandscared..I just wanted to write and tell you I have recently experienced terrible episodes of esophagitis and gastritis together which was my last straw before having this surgery. I have experienced both E and G over the years but never knew what it was. The burning is terrible, the nause is awful and I literally just wanted to die from the anxiety it gave me. Now if I can share some useful things with you to cope I will be happy. I am into herbals and natural therapies alone with traditional medicine, and one thing that helped me heal the esophagitis and gastritis is manuka honey and mastic gum. Here is a link to mastic gum benefits, you can find them at any online healthstore but I use swansonvitamins.com:

http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?id=770

Slippery elm and marshmallow root are also excellent for healing the mucosal lining. You can buy them in tea form or in capsules that you can open up and make tea with.

You need to get the root of your problem and why you are getting esophagitis..if it is because of acid and bile reflux which is usually the most common reason then please look into all your options for fixing it. I know people with barretts esophagus and have seen people pass on from getting throat cancer from it (not to scare you, just the truth as I work in a hospital) and it was the main reason for me to put my foot down and go for the surgery to help my esophagus heal.

As far as stress relief and anxiety I found soothing music and imagery to help alot and I still use it at night to help me sleep. If you are getting chronic anxiety it can make matters worse so that is another thing to ask your Dr about.

I wish you luck and keep us posted

Good I'm glad you are going to talk to your Dr, if it is a primary I would ask for a referral to a GI Doctor who will be better able to treat you. PPI's did not work for me either I got side effects as well..have you tried H2 blockers like zantac? Those were the only meds that helped me along with pepto and such, also your Dr can prescribe liquid Carafat which is a coating agent to help with the esophagitis. The herbal products are not expensive, no more than 5-7$ a bottle and will last a while. I do suggest mastic gum and slippery elm tea. Don't give up, try anything once.

Hello Friends
I am still learning to cope with the changing attitude of my stomach. I can introduce a new food and I will be fine, I can eat that food again 3 days later and it aggravates my stomach to spasms and diarrhea .. I know I am better though with this issue than I was b4 my surgery. I may gripe a little about the diet, but I would not go back to the way it was b4 my surgery.... I guess I am just impatient.. I am working on it though. I was able to eat part of a mushroom cheeseburger, without the bun of course, and it didn't bother me at all. I did make sure that I chewed thoroughly. I am hoping that I can introduce pizza with cheese only soon.. I am seriously craving pizza.. hey I've lost about 30 pounds total from this (pre and post surgery) and believe me I am not missing those pounds at all.... so I am allowed to crave pizza.. ;-)
Thanks for listening
Sandi

Hi Sandi,
Wow...a cheeseburger with mushrooms! Am I right in my calculations that you're about a month and a half out from surgery? I can guarantee I wasn't eating those things that early in my recovery! Good for you! Honestly, if you can handle that, I wouldn't worry about pizza...just eat it very slowly, tiny bites, and chew, chew, chew. You know the drill!
Hang in there...you will heal and eat normally again. Patience, my friend, patience!
Happy eating!
Denise

Wow, Bittersweet! I'm surprise you're able to eat those foods this early. I'm surprise the bread in the pizza didn't get stuck.

Remember you will still be swelling over the next few days the swelling will peak at day 14. If you get stuck during that time switch back to liquids for awhile.