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Day 12 Post Op and worst day so far..

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 5/21/2011 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
I just wanted to confirm what I've been hearing about the post nissen recovery, that days 12-14 are the worst. I thought it sounded silly but it's definitely at its most swollen now. I choked on soupy scrambled eggs this morning and at breakfast with my boyfriend and had to spend the next 10 min dry heaving in the parking lot..which doesn't help but also I couldn't stop :( Nothing wants to go down or up once it's there other then liquid and even that is sitting there for a while before going down. I figured I'd give an update that it's definitely true to be patient with the post Nissen surgery because it most definitely seems it's getting worse before it gets better. Hope everyone is doing well.
Posted 5/21/2011 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
bettersweet

i too have read from several knowledgeable members here that after the wrap the toughest days are, in many cases, around 10 to 14 days after the procedure due in at least part to issues having to do with swelling.

im not personally knowledgeable about this so stand by for better information
but i did want to offer hope and best wishes to you for a successful recovery
hang in there , we are with you

mock turtle
Posted 5/21/2011 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
I have been 7 months post op and still having those symtoms. They say it takes 6 months to a year to heal.. Can you believe I can't even eat one bite of a banana, or it comes back up.

Everyone is different and I envy the ones that had no trouble. Then again I read that some have to have it done over several time.
Posted 5/21/2011 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
it's true! length of time and severity differ, but the 3rd and 4th weeks were definitely the hardest for swallowing. I ended up having a barium swallow the 6th week just to make sure it wasn't a problem with the wrap. Still have difficulty with many foods, but am able to get a wide variety of nutrients from what I am eating. Now at 3 1/2 months post-op.

Peggy
Posted 5/21/2011 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bittersweet, wow, your not kidding. Today (day 12 post op) has been like day 1 for me as far as the swelling. I finally got off the pain meds a few days ago, only to be right back on them last night. I'm still too chicken to try and eat...liquids and soft foods like yogurt and cream soups is all I'm on. The plumbing is really out of whack and within 30 minutes of ingesting anything it comes right back out. Which is fine, because the IBS-C is miserable! I wonder how long these 2 steps forward 3 steps back will last. Seems I only have a couple of good days here n there. :( But no reflux so that is awesome! When is your follow-up? Mine is on Monday, and I am praying no barium swallow! That terrifies me, those pop rocks things I think would be torture!
Posted 5/21/2011 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
I tried to warn you about the swelling getting worse before it gets better. :=(
Sorry you had such a problem.

Tummy, don't rush the solids. I didn't start solids until week 4 and then it was food that was mushy or could be chewed to a liquid. Listen to your body and you'll know when it's time to go for more solid foods.
Posted 5/22/2011 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for everyones replies..I was able to eat some soft mac n cheese tonight easily..it seems the difficulty comes and goes and im not sure why. I had my first glass of wine tonight and it irritated things, feels like heartburn and not sure if its that or the lining of my stomach and esophogus are irritated.
Tummytroubles, my follow up is Monday as well..another coincidence haha. I feel I have been doing well enough I just need to remember to chew everything to a liquid, sometimes I forget because I'm so hungry. I don't think my dr will order any post op tests unless he feels it necessary or if things weren't going so well, which from what I've read I think my recovery is pretty good. I'm sorry you're still having issues, I wish we knew exactly what to do for our bodies..unfortunatley it's trial and error. Good thoughts your way and hoping they don't order you that barium swallow either!!
Posted 5/22/2011 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi bittersweet,
My guess is that the wine held up at the wrap site, and the alcohol did a number on the tissue there. This too will pass...probably not a good idea to drink wine until the swelling goes down.

I posted a little reply to Kyheart, that is for both of you.
Just keep plugging away! Things will get better.
Patience...
Denise
Posted 5/22/2011 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
FYI, they don't do the pop rocks after LNF. You don't even have to drink very much barium. Docs will know you now have issues with stomach capacity. Only took 5 minutes or less.

Peggy
Posted 5/23/2011 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
Good to know Peggy thanks for the info.

Denise, I am trying to take it easy the past few days but I get queasy without anything solid in my stomach sometimes. I only did half a glass of wine and had to stop, it just wasn't feeling good.

I have to say the past few days have been horrid with the choking and my body trying to vomit what gets stuck..except I can't vomit and instead just dry heave..it's so painful and the mucus the spasms creates makes it worse. This has happened with soft stuff like yogurt and scrambled eggs recently. I had to have something in my stomach before my follow up appointment this morning and had a well chewed cracker washed down with water..well that ended up being the worst spasm/choking episode so far. I thought I might end up popping my stitches because of heaving :( I couldn't stop it either it's an automatic reaction when things get caught up at the site. I told my PA this today and she said she wants me to stick to nectar thick liquids and wants me out of work longer. I was supposed to go back tomorrow but she won't allow it. I have another follow up appointment in two weeks with my actual surgeon and if things aren't better they say they may have to dialate my esophogus..I am praying I don't need that :(
Posted 5/24/2011 12:51 PM (GMT 0)

Hi all

 

I had my op 15 days ago. Most of it went well, i am already on solid foods the past couple of days. I need to eat very slowly otherwise it all get stuck in the middle of my chest with nowhere to go!

However my big problem is chest pain. I had it before the op due to the hernia, but now it almost seems worst, almost constant.

It annoys me, since this was almost the MAIN reason i went for the op in the first place! The doc says its normal and should pass, but being chest pain the anxiety levels is way up there!

Please excuse my spelling and grammar, English is not my 1st language

Good luck to all my fellow brothers and sisters recovering!

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