2 months open wrap & still issues

today is my 2 month mark. I am still having issues with eating and keeping food down. Firstly, I am never hungry, have lost 28 lbs (some before surgery as just could not eat/drink). I eat small safe meals and chew chew chew. Sometimes it will stay - like a piece of pizza but toast won't. There doesn't seem to be any pattern. So far, I've not called my doctor as he's in Maine and I'm in Florida. I do have very uncomfortable feelings not really a bad pain I can't manage. Just wondering if this is somewhat normal. I do keep a hot tea at the ready (thanks Denise).

I have been able to walk and swim almost daily. No strenuous swimming yet just floating and some aerobic exercises. As the surgery was on my back/shoulder I'm still careful.

Thanks!

Hi Sharon,

I agree with rager...two months is very early in your recovery, and having eating issues isn't all that unusual.  It's very individual, but not at all uncommon.  It takes a full 6 months for most of the healing and a year for the rest (mainly adjustment).  Hang in there!  Glad to hear you're able to swim and be active!  That weight will come back on all too easily once you're completely healed.

Happy healing,

Denise

Hi Sharon,

Did you discuss the retching issue with your surgeon?  I've heard of that happening with an irritated vagus nerve.  I'm trying to remember. Did you have a paraesophageal hernia?  Why did you have the open procedure?  I wonder if anti-nausea drugs would help with the retching.  It's really not great for your healing wrap. 

There might be a med of some type that would help get it into control.  Call your GI doc if your surgeon isn't available.  Maybe he can order something for you.

Sorry to hear you're struggling!

Hang in there.

Denise

Hi Sharon,

Are you nauseous?  When you retch is it to get up food that is "stuck", or is it uncontrollable...just a reflex?  I think there are things they use to help stop it if that's the case.

I'm sure the fact that your hernia was so extensive is the reason you're having a tough recovery.  It was a lot harder on your body. 

Hang in there,

Denise

 

Hi Sharon,

I don't see much about adults retching in my search for information, but I knew a mom with a post-Nissen baby (premie with lots of problems) who retched a lot. 

Often children get retching after Nissen fundoplication surgery as a result of irritation of the vagus nerve.  Here's a study that refers to a medication that they have found helpful:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16291162

I wonder if alimemazine would help you.  It would be worth asking!

Wish I knew more to tell you.  Good luck finding answers!

Hang in there,

Denise