Hi British Beef,Sorry to hear you're having problems, but from what I've read of your experience, it sounds as if you've gotten yourself irritated, and it will take a good long time for it to calm down. A couple weeks isn't sufficient when you've gotten your wrap, lower esophagus, and perhaps even stomach irritated so soon after surgery.
The Nexium doesn't work because it's irritation, not active acid that you're feeling. Very often people have problems once they start eating with abandon. They often stop chewing their food carefully and things are more irritating as they push through the healing and already irritated (from surgery) wrap.
This surgery takes a full 6 months for most of the healing (that's if you don't have a setback like the one you're experiencing), and a year for the rest. I had improvements into the second year.
It sounds to me as if you've also gotten some food and even medication sitting at the wrap site, the wrap is irritated and probably a bit swollen as a result. At this point, you need to do more than just eat "carefully". You need to back off your eating and return to soft/smooth/more bland foods foods until things get feeling better.
When you overdo during the healing stage--which seems like eating normally, which is the goal of course--you need to back off the foods your eating and move to an earlier stage. I have a reactive stomach, and before my surgery I'd get esophagitis as well. I asked my GI doc how I would know when I could go back to normal eating after an episode of pain. He said to wait until I felt "perfect" for two weeks, then try gradually introducing normal foods, but to listen to my body.
I know it's Christmastime, and you were looking to enjoying normal foods during the holidays. Unfortunately, you've had a setback. It will get better again, but it will take patience and very careful eating.
I think I remember hearing that Carafate suspension isn't available in the UK. If it is, ask for it. Even if your surgeon drags his feet, insist that you want to give it a try. If not, get him to prescribe Sucralfate (the generic, pill version). Put it into a little shot glass with a bit of water, and stir it with a toothpick. Throw it back like a shot. The medication will coat your wrap and stomach and help it to heal more quickly. It will also provide some relief.
Continue to take the Nexium even though it feels like it isn't working. It'll add a bit more protection by cutting back on the acid.
Hang in there, my friend across the big pond. I'm sorry you're struggling, but know it happens to many who overdo it when their recovery is going smoothly.
This too, will pass.
Thinking of you!
Denise