please help

Did you get my other post indicating that the dumping (diarrhea) is triggered by sweet things?  Ensure is something that will definitely trigger it.  If you don't want the dumping, you'll need to be very careful about what you eat.

Here is the diet link again.  If you follow it, it will be easier to get your dumping into control, and you will start feeling better.  The dumping in general will subside as you heal.  It's a side effect of the trauma your upper GI tract has been through during surgery.  You can help yourself, though, by staying away from things that contain a lot of sugar.

http://uvahealth.com/services/digestive-health-1/images-and-docs/dumping-syndrome.pdf/view

Feelings of reflux are common during recovery.  Your esophagus is a dumb organ and interprets all pain as reflux.  In addition, it's definitely possible to have some reflux (although less volume and less frequently) after a Nissen.  In order to get reflux to zero the surgeon would have to make your wrap so tight that it would prevent swallowing. What they're aiming for is "normal".

I have no idea how you're chugging anything.  At 8 days, sips were all I was doing.  Please try to relax, take little sips, small amounts of food (the most you should be eating at one time is probably 1/3 cup, and maybe less).  Your wrap will become increasingly more swollen over the next week, to peak on or about the two week mark.  Don't be surprised if your swallowing gets more difficult and uncomfortable before it gets better.

If you can relax and let your recovery happen, you will do much better.  It sounds as if you're living in panic mode.  This can only make your recovery more difficult.

Take a breath, calm down, and let the healing happen.  You've been through a major revision of your upper GI tract.  you can't expect to do that without experiencing discomfort.  It's normal, and to be expected.  It takes a full 6 months for most of the healing to occur, and a year for the rest. I had intermittent dumping during my recovery, and it was still with me at the year mark.  I figured I'd have to deal with that little quirk forever, but it was worth the improvements I'd had from my Nissen.  Lo and behold, at some point during my second year, I suddenly realized that I had become dumping-free, and I haven't had an episode since then (over 3 and a half years). 

You'll get better.

Relax.

Happy healing!

Denise

Welcome to the Healing Well Wrapped Club!    Your surgeon is not alone in failing to provide information regarding eating protocols and what to expect post-op.  This is a great place to receive support and information shared by people who've been there, and done that!

Here are 2 links you might find helpful:

http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/nutrition/Pages/diet-after-nissen-fundoplication-surgery.aspx

http://www.nissenfundoplication.com/nissen-fundoplication-diet

The main thing is to take small bites and chew, chew, chew.  If something doesn't chew to a liquid/creamy consistency, don't swallow it, but rather deposit it into a handy paper napkin.  If you like tea, keep it handy when eating, as it relaxes the esophagus and helps swallowing.  No ice water, as it causes esophageal spasms, which makes swallowing uncomfortable.  No bread or steak, although bread that is well-toasted is tolerated, because it can chew to a liquid. Regular bread chews into a bolus that can get stuck.

Glad you've joined us!

Best wishes, and happy healing!

Denise

You're not even 2 weeks post-op, so things are irritated.  Stay away from spicy foods until things have a chance to heal.  If you're feeling irritated, that's why.  Things like egg custard are perfect.  They are bland, smooth, and tasty.

Listen to your body.

Happy healing!

Denise