Five weeks fundoplication post op - Question

poovey

Regular Member

Joined : Feb 2011

Posts : 31

Posted 8/26/2011 6:41 PM (GMT 0)

I am currently at 5 weeks post op from my fundoplication. Things have been going really well in general. I have had a very good recovery, but in the last few days have had pain in my abdomen and felt a little sick to my stomach. I had a little pain after about two weeks that subsided when all of the gas was relieved from my abdomen, but am concerned that I should not be having abdominal pain this far after surgery. The pain is at the left side incisions and feels like an acute pulled muscle. I am concerned that I may have hurt myself although I can not think of anything I have done wrong. Is it normal to have pain in the abdomen this far after surgery? They give you all kinds of tips for eating and swallowing, but don't tell you what to look for in the abdomen. I tend to be someone who would wait this type of thing out and don't know when the appropriate time to worry and get it checked would be. My thoughts are that if it was something bad, I would feel a lot worse than I do so I would wait it out. Just not sure when to pull the trigger and get it checked. Any insight and experiences would be appreciated.

dencha

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2009

Posts : 7263

Posted 8/26/2011 7:30 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Poovey,

I'm glad things have been generally going well for you. Five weeks is still very early in the healing process (complete healing takes from 6-12 months). I suspect that it's not abnormal to have pains here and there at such an early stage of healing.

There's likely to be some adhesion and scarring near the ports where the scopes and tools went in to do the surgery. (Actually, I have recently had a severe pain when I (obviously) stretched in the wrong direction and pulled at the healed port just below the breastbone. I chalked it up to pulling on an adhesion. That one always kind of dimples in, so I'm sure it's caught up on something.)

You know yourself best. If you have concerns, why not call your surgeon? If it's not bad, and isn't persistent, I'd guess it was just part of the healing process. It'll be your call, regarding whether or not you want to report it to your doc.

Your insides were really stirred up during the surgery. I've heard it described as an electric mixer or fan, moving things around. our outsides heal so quickly, that we forget that the major surgery was INSIDE and out of sight. There's lots more healing to go for you. I recently realized that I continued to improve into the second year post op!

Take care,
Denise

poovey

Regular Member

Joined : Feb 2011

Posts : 31

Posted 8/26/2011 9:41 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Denise. You are right that we heal quickly on the outside and much slower on the inside. I have also felt so well that it was a surprise to have this happen. It very well could be just a bug. I will give it through the weekend. Hopefully I will feel much better and move on. If not, I will contact the doctor:)

kyheart

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2011

Posts : 516

Posted 8/27/2011 2:52 AM (GMT 0)

Poovey

Denise was on target when she said that we heal quickly outside and are slow to heal inside.. she had to keep reminding me of that.. I am almost 5 months post op and I occasionally have pain at the lower left incision site.. I don't know why except that I sleep on my left side mostly and it must irritate it from time to time.. but I agree with Denise.. if it continues and you are uncomfortable about it.. call your doctor..

Try to have a good weekend and relax...
Reach for the Sunshine.. Rainbows will follow
Sandi

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