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Recovering Nissen Fundoplication Part 2 of 2 BY kyheart

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Posted 8/2/2011 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Part 2 of 2

 

Link to Part 1 : https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2081311

A thread that becomes excessively long and difficult for forum members to navigate and read easily is generally locked and a new part started with links to the previous topic thread.

When posts gets to 3 pages or more, it becomes a hassle to navigate and can be resolved by starting a new thread on the same topic.

I hope you all continue on with this topic as I feel you are sharing much information and caring for one another here in the forum.

Kindly,

Kitt
Posted 8/2/2011 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
 Posted Today 1:29 PM by kyheart

 

UUUGGGHHHHH!!!!
Sorry,Hello Friends

I am home from work today due to some problems with my shoulders and neck. Couldn't even move my head this am when I got up.. went to the Chiropractor and he adjusted me some, said he would only deal with the neck and shoulders due to recent (4 mos ago) surgery on stomach...anyway, the neck is feeling a bit better. I will go to work tomorrow and then back to the Chiro for some ultrasound and heat therapy..
the Nissen is still good to go despite the pain that had me dry heaving... I am so thankful for good sturdy stitches.. ;-)

Kitt if you read this, please know that I am thinking of you and hope this finds you well.. it just takes time....

Denise, I hope you are enjoying your vacation to the max.....

Joy, are you ready for it to begin again???

Bill, you will have the new surgery and everything will be great again.....

Conor, the one thing that helped me more than anything was to listen to what my body told me and to question anything I was unsure of. I asked those questions of the people here.. Kitt, Joy, Denise and Bill.. they are a wealth of information and more than willing to care and support everyone who comes here...

Everyone.. reach for the Sunshine.. without it you just have another plain old dull day.....

Sandi

Posted 8/2/2011 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
 Posted Today 1:37 PM by couchtater

 

Sandi, I worked off the clock for 4 hrs today at the school. Only two other teachers were there working. I guess everybody else wanted to enjoy their last day off. :)
Sorry your neck and shoulders are giving you fits. I loved ultrasound therapy when I had it for my foot this past year. It helped me a great deal.

Joy
Posted 8/2/2011 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
 Posted Today 1:59 PM by kyheart

 

Thanks Joy

I hope this works .. the pain has lightened up some.. I go back tomorrow after work..

I hope your first full day will be easy for you.. good luck! You sound like the same type of person that I am.. If there is a way to get jump started on work I go in early too.. I guess it's just not wanting to get behind before I get ahead.. does that make sense??

Oh well.. I know I can't do a lot but I will try to do what I can to help you here, at least greet newbies to the forum since Denise is on vacation and Bill may be without internet and Kitt, bless her heart, is unavailable...

Sandi

Posted 8/2/2011 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
 Posted Today 5:34 PM by elsiem

 

Hi Conor

Im 5 weeks post-op & was given plain yoghurt in hospital on day 3. When I left hopsital on day 5 was told I could have soft & mushy foods which includes pureed fruit & veggies, finely blended meat, chicken & steamed fish with plenty of gravy or sauce. Pasta with creamy sauce & eggs (scrambled, poached or omeletes not fried) as well as smooth ice cream, smoothies, custards, milk puddings etc & cream or blended soups.

Listen to your body & remember to eat slowly & chew your food well. (small amounts often) Try to avoid very hot/icy cold food & drinks because this causes eosophagus spasms.

The one lesson I have learnt throughout my recovery is "patience". Our bodies heal at there own pace & there is nothing we can do to hurry this except to relax & stay positive. There will be minor setbacks on the way & these are just small speed bumps on the road to recovery reminding us to slow down & take each day as it comes.

Happy healing. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Lynda

Posted 8/2/2011 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Sandi,

As you can see I restarted your thread with a part 2.  I left links on both threads so members can refer to your first thread anytime they would like to as well as they can easily find part 2.

Thank you for thinking of me and know I appreciate your kindness. I am thinking I may need the Chiropractor as my whole back seems to be out of whack.  I hope this finds you feeling better.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 8/2/2011 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lynda, thanks for the information. It seems like I'm sticking to a good diet. So far I have stuck with a liquid diet. I am seven days post surgery. I am drinking a special milk shake called ensure plus which has the necessary nutrients. I am also drinking juices i.e. carrot, pear mainly. I also take some drinking yoghurt and have started making my own smoothies using milk, drinking yoghurt, melon (I'll try some bananna with it tomorrow). On the whole I'm managing fine with the liquid diet. Hopefully soon I can move on to the more mushy stuff! I have found at times especally today and yesterday that there is a bit of sticking going on around the wrap. I can only take small sips with intervals between sips, as swallowing is quite difficult where liquids take a second or two to pass through wrap. When it sticks it seems to take 10-15 mins to pass over and I get an ache out my back. I usually walk about which helps it go. With the liquids I would have thought that this wouldn't happen but I guess it's early days yet and it'll take time for swelling to dicipate. I'll just have to remain patient like you said and wait for my body to heal. I'm going back to the hospital tomorrow to get surgical clips removed. The wounds have healed very well, key hole is great! I'll keep you all posted. Thanks a million again, take care of yourselves in the mean time,

Conor
Posted 8/2/2011 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Conor,

So pleased to hear that you are recovering well. You seem to be managing your diet well.

Just remember that for the first 2 weeks you will still be swelling. This usually peaks at around day 12-14 then slowly subsides so there may be some issues with swallowing. During this swelling phase I was told to take small sips over about an hour to allow everything to get through the wrap & not get stuck. So hang in there it will get easier.

Healing is a complex thing. Because our incisions heal so quickly its easy to forget that what we cant see on the inside is where all the real trauma is. We need to allow our bodies time to do their own thing, in their own time even if it does seem like its taking forever.

Best wishes & I hope you continue heal well.

Lynda
Posted 8/3/2011 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Kitt

Thanks so much for restarting me.. I was actually thinking of doing that and I looked and you had read my mind...

I do hope things are beginning to feel better for you.. it will take time.. but, that is all we have.. time!

I am feeling a bit better thanks for asking, I had another Chiro session today and will have another in the morning before they do the skin cancer thing on my neck.. everything is good to go... doc says it is a "decades old" injury. Possibly from mid teen years.. can you imagine that.. and it picks now to start up! Oh well, you know the old saying.. That which does not kill us serves to make us stronger.. Did I mention I am Hercules sister?????? ;-)

Feel better Kitt and stay strong...
Sandi
Posted 8/4/2011 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lynda,

I am sipping and eating very slowly like you say and I'm managing fine. The blender is working on overdrive!! Sometimes I do feel a bit of pressure or a feeling of something being stuck at the wrap but it subsides. Like you say though it will take time for swelling to subside and I just need to be vigilant. I went back to hospital yesterday and they removed clips. They were happy with my progress.

Hope everyone is doing well,
Conor
Posted 8/4/2011 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'll only post one time on this thread but I have read it in its entirety. I guess I must be the oldest person here at age 64. I'll actually be 65 on Halloween and it doesn't seem possible.

I know in many cases that a positive attitude is an elective. I do believe that a "more" positive attitude can be opted for and attained under many circumstances with many people.

I have started a thread asking for help with post-op side effects and would kindly ask that some knowledgeable and experienced people would reply to my questions and concerns on that thread.

I have had little or no acid till this morning after eating something I shouldn't have last night. Just a few bites of mashed and well-chewed mac and cheese. I know. It was wrong and I won't do it again.

I have some dietary restrictions in that I have milk intolerance and so I can't do a lot of pudding, ice cream, etc like some are able to do.

I wasn't in as much pain when I awoke this morning but it was a "sour stomach" and/or acid and nausea that awakened me.

I'll go back to my own thread now and ask that anyone willing to help talk me through this would kindly come to the new thread and help me out.

I've called my surgeon about the feeling of something stuck in my throat, the acidic feeling and the nausea. He has scheduled a barium swallow for next Monday.

Thanks and please hunt my new thread.
I need some help and advice.
Posted 8/5/2011 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Rita
I have posted to you several times, I would be honored if there is anything I can say to help you.. I am 62 and times were tough, but with the help of Kitt, Joy, Denise and Bill and a bunch of others who posted to me, I made it to over 4 months post op. I stay to glean new information on my recovery issues (when I have them) and to help someone else as I was helped when I needed it,,
will again post directly to your thread now...

Friends..
I ahd my skin cancer removed yesterday.. I am feeling pretty good considering my neck and shoulders have been wacko since Saturday.. looking forward to a good weekend...

Sandi
Posted 8/6/2011 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rita

I am ten days post op and I have had some heartburn yesterday and today. I am feeling very disillusioned. I am hoping that it is part of my recovery and that'll settle over time. I was gutted when it happened. I guess we will just have to remain positive and hope it settles. Has anybody else suffered heartburn post op??

Sandi, Im delighted your surgery went well. I hope you're feeling OK.

Conor
Posted 8/6/2011 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Feelo, it's normal to experience some heartburn during recovery. Your LES is swollen and the irregularity of the swelling causes small leaks.
Posted 8/7/2011 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy,

Thanks. It's not too bad so hopfully it'll go!!! As things are still settling I supppose there are going to be hickups here and there.
Posted 8/7/2011 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all

Well just reading all the post about this surgery is like really freaking me out. How you can only eat like 1 to 2 oz of liquid at a time.I dont know if i can go through this.,But i have had heartburns since i was pregnant with my oldest son.,He is now 20.I am up most of the night sleeping agaisnt the wall.Or i will be visiting the stool.I get sick all the time due to all the acid.everthing i eat or drink will trigger an attack.I been on meds for ever,I take like 4 to 5 acid reducers a day.plus my prescribed meds.plus i have the hitial hernia.So the dr says i need to have the surgery.how many weeks do you feel like you cant eat any food.How long do we have to eat a liquid diet.when will they usually let us go back to work.do you really feel full just after alittle bit of food.can we eat like the fruits that are in the baby food jars.i am just making me sick to my stomach reading all the post on all the sites.i seen the video of what they do.i hoping i get the laproscopoy one.instead of the open surgery.I know i shouldnt be looking at the videos cause i am freaking myself out.how did you guys prepare for this,then have to cook meals for the family and not being able to eat it.how do you tht.I am a major pop person.can i have pop.and how much weight do most people lose from this.thanks for listeing to me as i am 40yrs old and so scared.i ahve had alot of surgerys like facial reconstruction and like 5 other surgerys ut this one is making me the most nervous.thanks so much vista
Posted 8/8/2011 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Vista

when you have the surgery, they recommend that you are on a full liquid diet (yogurt, cream of wheat, broth, applesauce, blended soups, etc) starting the 2nd or 3rd day after surgery.. and stay on them for the 2 weeks following surgery then some allow introduction to soft foods.. your doc will tell you what he recommends.
I drank ginger ale as soon as a few hours after surgery and not knowing any better, I didn't have any bad affects from it. most people cannot drink it for a few weeks. It is all in what your body will let you do.. and how it will react..
Believe me, if you are hurting from GERD and your hernia (as I was) and you can't sleep and you throw up acid.. you will welcome any restrictions necessary to be relieved of your pain... it doesn't last forever.. I am 4 mos post op and I can eat most anything.. restrictions that stay with you are small bites and you must thoroughly chew your food..
If you have the surgery (or even if you don't) please stay with us here at the forum. Ask any questions you like and feel free to look around the different threads.. you may see things that scare you , but if you read on you may also see that the person feels better within a few days or they were just having a bad day. We all have them now and then..
I am not the expert here, just another person who has gone through this life changing experience called Nissen Fundoplication..... and would do it again in a New York minute..... I attribute my ease of recovery to the people who have been so supportive and caring here in this forum.. I whined at times and they were here to lift me up...
Take care and I hope this helped
Sandi
Sandi
Posted 8/9/2011 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
yes it did i see the dr aug 25 th.to set things up.ii know i have to got through this.i just afraid of messing something up .like tearing it or something and have to redo it,eash one of you all have been so helpful and i really appercaite it.i will be checking in with all every night.i am so blessed to have found this site.,you guys are all in my prayers and thoughts,and thanks for the pointers,tell we talk again god bless you all.
Posted 8/10/2011 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Good Luck at the doctor on the 25th.. keep in touch and ask questions if you like.. You may want to start your own thread so that everyone can answer to your questions.. they are all so supportive and caring I am sure you will be happy you did...

Sandi
Posted 8/12/2011 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Best of luck. I'll keep an eye out for you. I'm just back from a hospital stay. I had a kidney stone, it was excrutiating !!! I'm ok again though !
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