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Recovering Nissen Fundoplication Part 1 of 2

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Posted 5/21/2011 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
Bittersweet
I cannot believe that you are daring enough to eat the types of food that you are this soon.. I am at 7 weeks today and I am still watching what I eat very closely.. tiny bites and I am still experiencing some adverse reactions when I introduce some foods too soon... I am still eating softer foods, just being more inventive to accomplish that. I did eat a mushroom cheeseburger, modified.. no bread and lots of gravy, and chewed until practically water.. this was broiled not fried. I also tried 1 small piece of chicken, bacon, ranch pizza today. no red pizza sauce involved. It has caused a bit of intestinal upset, not bad. I have lost another 3 pounds. Not from deprivation but from small portions. I went to my PCP on Monday and he sent me for yearly blood work.. I am happy to report that at 62 years old I have awesome good and bad cholesterol and great triglycerides. This is the best report I have had in YEARS... Getting shed of all my stomach problems and getting off a lot of the meds, I am so much better!!!
It has taken me 7 weeks to get to the point I am at with my diet.. I have not had hardly any problems. But I have been very chicken about adding new foods also. I still am not eating 'bread' and I will not eat steak for a long time yet.. I have eaten 'meatballs' with angel hair pasta..and I eat chicken nuggets cook at home, not crunchy.
Please do not push yourself too quickly Bittersweet.. I have never had anything get stuck.. and I would be frightened to pieces if I did... just don't accidentally do your self harm by going to fast with your diet..
Take care all and Have a Blessed Weekend..
Sandi idea
Posted 5/21/2011 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sandi,
It sounds like you're doing great. Taking it slow is just fine. Everyone is different, and each person need to listen to his/her own body to see what is right for them.
Yay bittersweet, for eating more challenging foods successfully!
But don't you feel good, sandi, that you can choose from whatever foods you want? You're just choosing more conservatively.
Best wishes to you both. Glad you're doing so well!
Denise

Post Edited (dencha) : 5/20/2011 8:37:41 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/21/2011 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks or your words of Wisdom Denise,
I am so much of a chicken, I want to eat some kind of junk food so bad, and I will not do it because I am afraid that it will disrupt my stomach or my digestive system. I got some fresh cantaloupe at the store today.. hoping that it doesn't gripe me. I had a few bites of it Thursday and it didn't hurt me, so I will try a little more. I am going to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Jacksonville over Memorial Day weekend and I know we will be eating out. I may try some mild Mexican food. There is a place we go that allows for people who do not like spicy.. I will stay away from the chips and salsa though and probably most of the re-fried beans.. what do you all think about the rice?? I had heard that rice was a no-no for quite a while.. Next week will be 8 weeks. I am hoping for a good visit.. any menu advice for me?? All advice is welcome...
Sandi
Posted 5/21/2011 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
You should be able to eat rice if you chew well, kyheart. No big bites...
You might could handle a simple taco (ground beef and cheese in soft wrap). Just chew careful.
Posted 5/22/2011 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
I am a big fan of food, you wouldn't think so for my small size but I've always been a foody. I was estatic when I was able to swallow things like fruit salad and oatmeal. I didn't think I was pushing things too much as my Dr had told me as long as its soft and ground up like hamburger I should be able to eat it..but thats not always the case. The swellings comes and goes and sometimes I'm able to eat better after something gets stuck then dislodges..it's odd. I definitely have been eating much slower, tiny little bites and using lots of liquids or sauces to make it go down. I am eating probably 1/3 of what I used to, I get full much quicker. fruit salad or grilled cheese dunked in soup is delicious and goes down well. My stomach on the other hand still is having problems with acidic foods and alcohol..I'm not sure if I'll ever be cured of this gastitis..but I certainly hope so.

kyheart I'm glad you have the patience I don't..the feeling of having something get stuck is not fun but I don't want it to control me to where I am stuck on liquids..I guess we have to do what our body tells us!
Posted 5/22/2011 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Joy,
Thanks so much for your post.. and encouraging words. I hope everything goes well next weekend. I did have a bit of a problem tonite, Hubby wanted hot dogs grilled out, I was kinda craving them too.. I ate almost 1 and within 1/2 hour I was so sick at my stomach that I had to take a phenergan tablet (zonked me out for over an hour). I won't be eating hot dogs for a good while.. I will take it easy with the soft taco or maybe a beef burrito very moist. Thanks again for the encouragement..
Bittersweet,
I too am eating 1/3 or less of the amount of food that I used to, I figure I am eating maybe 4-6 ounces of food at a time. I have lost over 30 pounds since the beginning of February (Bravo Study). My Doctor also had advice to give me, eat what ever you want except bread and steak, as long as you chew it to a pulp... let your body tell you whether it is too soon or not. I do not like issues with pain, so I am a chicken by nature.
I have not allowed this to control me, I have just been a bit more cautious. I had to deal with so much pain in my stomach before my surgery that I just do not want to have any issues now that I do not have the pain that I had before. What you choose to eat is what I would like to eat but don't have the nerve to try yet. I have ate a few things that I have really been craving like. chicken, bacon ranch pizza. it was so good I would do it again even if it had hurt me. Thank goodness it didn't. I have not tried any alcohol, but since i didn't drink hardly at all before. I am not missing it. The most acidic thing I have tried was some ranch dressing with chicken nuggets. That went ok.
I am really happy that you have been able to have more variety than I have. I miss my regular diet too. I do not miss the pounds I have lost though... ;-) I could afford to lose some more.. it would be healthier for me... I suppose all of this will work out in the end.. Take care of your self and listen to your body.. that is what I hear in my sleep haha! That and ... chew, chew, chew.....

Hope your weekend is great everyone!!
Sandi
Posted 5/22/2011 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kyheart and Bittersweet
Everything you're experiencing is part of normal healing. Just be careful what you eat. I don't think fresh fruit or veggies should be on the menu quite yet. You're the judge of how something you put in your mouth chews. If it does not turn to liquid, deposit it in a nearby napkin and try something else. There are lots of things you can eat...just choose carefully.

I told you on Day 1 that swallowing would get worse before it gets better. It happens to all of us as we progress through the healing. If you need to move back to liquids for a few days, go for it. Whatever works.

Just don't worry if you get a little quirk, and something seems stuck. Just keep nudging it down with sips of water. I found tea to be better, as the warmth relaxed my spasming esophagus (whenever things bothered my wrap, it started going).

Hang in there, my friends!
Things will get better.
Denise
Posted 5/22/2011 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
I'm eating more or less normally now after only 8 and a half weeks. I've been quite cautious with what I've tried but had no real problems with anything. I take my time with everything I eat and I'm eating slightly less than I used to before the op and aside from the occasional spasms everything goes down nicely. I've been experimenting with carbonated drinks this week and have not noticed any ill effects whatsoever besides perhaps a bit of extra flatulence (ahem). I guess it really depends on a variety of factors including your original symptoms, food intolerances, complications with IBS and I think age probably plays a role as to how quickly you recover. At 30 I'm guessing I'm one of the youngest on this forum. I suffered from reflux for 12 years before having the op and I guess if you've had these symptoms for longer then it could take longer to get over it. I wish everyone the best of luck with your recovery, it was this forum that finally gave me the confidence to go ahead with the op and the encouragement of other members was just what I needed in my first few weeks of recovery.

Jon
Posted 5/22/2011 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jon (AKA Gritty),

I also was fortunate enough to find this forum as I was trying to get the courage to move forward with the surgery. There are a lot of scary posts out there in internet land, and the experienced members of this forum were very helpful--realistic yet positive.

I'm glad your recovery is going well, and happy that you stayed around to help others!

Have a great day,
Denise
Posted 5/22/2011 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Gritty, a personal question...do you live in GA?
I used to know a Jon your age when I was a teenager. Just curious...
Posted 5/22/2011 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Nope, I live in Manchester UK. That would have been a spooky coincidence though :)
Posted 5/22/2011 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Very odd! :)
Posted 5/23/2011 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Jon, I am about a week behind you. My surgery was April 1 and I have had Ginger Ale ever since the day I had surgery. The carbonation for some reason has never hurt me. I don't drink a lot of it though maybe 4 -6 ounces through out the day. I drink a lot of water..
I too say my blessings for having found this forum.. I knew that I was having surgery but I did not know what the name of it was (surgeon told me but I couldn't remember). I researched my symptoms and found the answer in this forum. It gave me the peace of mind to have the surgery without reservations. And as good as my surgeon was about answering my questions and telling me what I should know about post surgery, the wonderful people on this forum have let me know that what I was experiencing was normal and they reenforced what my doctor told me... let my body tell me what is and isn't good for me..
Gritty, you are younger than my youngest child it is hard for me to imagine going through what I know you have gone through at your young age, I am 62 and I did not start having severe problems until about 12 years ago but, I hope I have many more trouble free years now that I am feeling GOOD! I hope that you continue to do well and keep posting your dietary accomplishments.. as I am following your lead. I have been very cautious of the things I eat. I have gotten crazy once or twice, but I find that cautious is best for me...
To all of the friends I have met and have encouraged me and cautioned me and supported me... I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.. I still need your help and encouragement and I am sure I will for some time to come.. Just wanted you all to know how much your friendship means to me...
Have a Blessed and wonderful evening...
Sandi
Posted 5/25/2011 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Group
Just wanted to let you all know, I was really craving Mexican food (mild) today, some people at work had it. I was going to try it this weekend but, what the hay, I smelled all that good food so I stopped and got some for dinner. I got a wet burrito, soaked in sauce(very mild) I passed on the refried beans but I did eat some rice. I chewed chewed chewed. That was 3 hours ago and I feel fine.. just a little fullness in the midsection right side where I always have that feeling after eating. No pain, no discomfort... I hope it doesn't decide to zap me in the middle of the nite.. I did not eat until I was full.. I have learned when I have to stop since I don't ever feel full until it is too late... hmmmm does anyone else experience that??? I actually don't ever feel hunger the way I used to either... oh well I guess I will just have to adjust..
Have a good evening everyone!
Sandi
Posted 5/25/2011 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I never know when I'm full now. I just have to make one small plate and stop when it's gone. No seconds!
My hunger is usually a growling crampy feeling. But I don't feel it regular.
Posted 5/25/2011 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
I know I'm hungry by the amount of noise my tummy makes and I guess the "crampy" feeling. (a pretty good way to describe it) I also don't feel full until I am overfull. I just fix the same amount each time. I have breakfast around 6, snack around 9:30, lunch at noon, snack around 3:30 and dinner by 7. After 3 months I still must avoid bread and meat, other than ground turkey or beef. Definitely no raw fruit and veggies, but a good variety of cooked ones. Love living without the burn!

Peggy
Posted 5/26/2011 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your posts Joy and Peggy,
It is good to know that I am not alone in not feeling hunger the way it used to be. I am trying to learn the right amount for each meal. I really do not want to gain my weight back that I have lost. I feel so much better without it , especially now that I no longer have the other issues. I never realized how great it is to sleep and not be awakened by throwing up or coughing or choking..etc etc etc..
I can't seem to get any snacks worked into my schedule.. occasionally I can eat a cup of jello or some peaches (canned do not hurt me at all, any fresh fruit really hurts my tummy) the only kind of meat I can eat is ground beef, chicken that has been cooked until TENDER.. mostly the dark meat because it stays moister than the white meat. I have had pretty good luck with pasta and spaghetti sauce. I make sure everything I eat is well sauced. If it isn't drowning in broth, gravy or sauce, I do not eat it. I also found that if I somewhat over cook my veggies, they do not bother me at all. Carrots are great and sweet potatoes too. I tried a hot dog in a bun last weekend and will not do that again for several months..hurt! I never had the burn because my PPI's I took day and nite took away the acid taste and burn but not the reflux. At least that is how they explained me not having burning... but having all the other problems..I too love living without the problems.. hopefully I can live out my life without them coming back...
Have a great evening everyone
Sandi
Posted 5/27/2011 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,
I am leaving in the morning to go to Jacksonville for Memorial Day weekend. I am planning on doing some shopping and I suppose we will eat out tomorrow and Saturday. I am going to watch very closely what I eat and how much. I am taking my anti-nausea pills just in case. I hope to be able to report good things from the weekend. I have felt very good these past few days and I hope the trend continues. I may be eating out this weekend but I am not leaving my good sense at home.
Take care and have a Blessed weekend everyone.
Sandi
Posted 5/27/2011 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sandi, glad to hear things are going well.
I too want to try and keep the weight I lost off. I bought some new skinny work shirts so they're a good indication of whether the old beer belly is returning ;) At the moment the main thing is that I'm eating a lot more slowly than I used to and those who know I've had surgery seem fascinated in watching me eat and seeing how I cope. Most of the cramping/ food getting stuck is gone but occasionally rears its ugly head if I eat too fast leading to the trademark hiccups. I'm off for a big meal for my birthday tomorrow with a group of friends so that should be interesting. I'm usually famed for being first to finish and then finishing off everyone elses plates for them so they'll be a bit shocked when I'm the last but it's not all bad. The lack of any reflux and the new slender belly is all worth it.
On a side note, can anyone recommend any products for controlling the old bottom burps? It's not a major problem but I notice that since surgery it's one of the more persistent symptoms. The gas has to go somewhere right? I'd just rather try and avoid letting rip in front of a training room full of new phone advisors when I'm halfway through a PowerPoint :)
Posted 5/27/2011 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
Gritty,
They do eventually fade, but they don't go away. Try taking beano. It works for some people.
Posted 5/28/2011 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
I just bought some medicinal charcoal. I had a rough time with some low quality wheat beer last night. No pain or anything but I was parping like a brass band when I got home. Apparently charcoal naturally absorbs gas, can't hurt and it's cheaper than wind-eze.
Posted 5/29/2011 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Gritty
I know what you mean about eating slowly. That is what has kept me losing weight. I have heard that the slower you eat, you will feel full faster. thus you will not eat as much and you will not regain lost weight. I have also had some issues with after meal "gas". I have found that Gas-x helped. You can get it in almost any form. I have little strips that melt on your tongue for when I have issues when I am at work.
I am doing exceptionally well this weekend. I have had Italian Ziti with well toasted garlic bread.. oh my was it delicious, and last nite we had Mexican and I ate a quesidilla with ground beef, mushrooms, cheese and Mexican rice.. I have eaten very slowly and brought home food both nites.. and I have chewed, chewed, chewed.. not bragging at all but, have had no problems.. will not let my guard down, we leave tomorrow AM for home...
Everyone have a wonderful weekend an I will catch up with you tomorrow nite...
Sandi
Posted 5/30/2011 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sandi,
Glad to hear you're doing so well! It sounds like you've gotten the small bites and chew, chew, chew down to a science! GREAT JOB! yeah yeah yeah
Keep up the great work.
Denise turn
Posted 5/30/2011 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Gritty,
The gas won't always be as bad as it is right now. It'll be interesting to hear how the charcoal works for you. I'm also a beer drinker, but at two years post-op, it really doesn't bother me.
Good luck with your charcoal test!
Take care,
Denise turn
Posted 6/1/2011 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Friends
I am home and I had a wonderful memorial Day weekend. I had no problems with my diet and my stomach cooperated and I was well all weekend. I am 8+ weeks post surgery (Lap Nissen Fundoplication) and I still find that I wear out rather quickly. I shopped for about 2-2 1/2 hours and I was tuckered out completely. I guess it is because I cannot eat as much as I need for the vitamins and all??? I have not gained anything back even though I am able to eat a little bit more variety. I am still on smaller portions and I have no desire to increase them.. as a matter of fact, I do not want to increase them. At my age I need to eat well and eat sensible. That way my healthy test results will continue.

Denise, Do you have any idea about when I might be able to start some fresh fruit and veggies (cooked) in my diet? I really miss them and now is the right season for them.
Thanks for your answers and your correspondence
Sandi
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