Having TIF Surgery

anyone out there who had the TIF done and is fully recovered? How are you doing and are you glad you did it?

I am pre op stage and of course I have questions, concerns and some fear thrown in there for good measure.

Tell me your story from the time you woke up in Recovery.
What did you feel?
how long were you in the Hospital?
When you went home home were you able to manage your daily activities?
What was your diet like?
I am lactose intolerant and I also have IBS with alternating diarrhea and constipation so I am concerned will this upset my IBS and I am limited as to what I may eat.
Did this operation cause any bowel problems after?

Sorry for all the questions, but even if I ask my Surgeon everyone here in the forum would have the answers.
thanks,
Rose

Hi Rose,

I had the TIF in April. Yes, I am glad that I had it and my reflux has been greatly reduced. My DeMeester score (measures acid reflux) went from 28 to 5.8 on pH tests before and after surgery. I am not having the burning and bad taste in my mouth and not constantly drinking, brushing my teeth, or a light cough. Before my TIF I was uncomfortable after eating a meal, walking after eating, or sitting in a recliner and I have none of that now. After surgery I did have stomach pains and an upper endoscopy, last week, showed that I had 2 ulcers that are healing. The carafate for 2 months probably helped the healing. I had an upper endoscopy 6 weeks before surgery and it did not show any ulcers.

After surgery I stayed in the hospital for one night and went home the next day. My throat was very sore for 3 or 4 days when I swallowed. The pain medicine gave me nausea so I did not take it after the second day. I walked a quarter mile the second day after surgery and slowly increased the distance for the next 5 weeks. I took it easy for the first week and the lifting restriction kept me from doing much for a month after surgery. I am retired so going back to work was not a problem for me but I probably would have been off for a week to 10 days.

I followed the TIF diet on the web site. Liquids for the first two weeks, soft foods the next 5 weeks and no celery or pineapple the last 5 weeks. Much of my diet was dairy but I also drank 2 Ensure a day, the liquid part of soup, some purred soups, and yogurt. After the first two weeks I had soft boiled eggs, noodles, soggy Cherrios, watery mashed potatoes, and apple sauce. For the entire 7 weeks I had no coffee, tea, alcohol, nothing real cold or hot, and no caffeine. The lack of fiber in my diet did cause some bowel problems.

Hope this helps and if you have further questions please let me know.

Sheldon