Nissen Fundoplication Vomitting

Welcome to the Healing Well Wrapped Club! Sorry to hear you're having problems.  I don't understand how your surgeon "isn't concerned" with your vomiting.  If you are really vomiting...retching, and forcefully pushing food out of your stomach, then I would expect he/she would be concerned, as it's very risky and could damage your wrap.

Could it be that food is getting held up at your wrap site and haven't actually entered your stomach yet?  Sometimes people describe it as coughing up a "hairball"...I've heard people describing that process...coughing up what you've eaten while it's still in the esophagus as vomiting, but if the food hasn't made it into your stomach yet, it's not actually vomiting, which would explain why the anti-nausea drugs aren't working for you.

What you're describing is definitely out of the ordinary.  I would recommend you continue to follow up with your surgeon, as that is not something that should be happening.  I'd love more clarification as to why the surgeon doesn't think it is a problem that you're not able to eat even pureed foods.  Please let us know what he says.  Push him for specific answers, and don't accept less than an explanation that you truly understand. 

This is very early...VERY EARLY in your recovery, and this problem may resolve itself in a few days.  If not, though, you need to get answers.

Please stop back and let us know what you find out.  Hopefully someone will be by soon with a better answer for you!  Glad you've joined us!  It's a great place to get your questions answered and receive support.

Best wishes!

Denise

His comment about swelling answers my question.  It sounds as if he thinks the food is stopping at the wrap site due to swelling, and that he seems confident that it would subside once the swelling is reduced.  Still, it's not really typical to not be able to handle even soft foods. 

Did they switch you to liquids?  I think that would be the recommendation most would give.  Back off on the soft foods and drink liquids only.  There are "full" liquids like Ensure, etc. that would provide you with some nourishment without causing the problems you're having with soft foods.

Friday is a long time if you're experiencing what you're describing.  Check out this eating guide, and see if it can give you some guidance regarding eating:

https://healthonline.washington.edu/document/health_online/pdf/Esophageal_Diet_After_Surgery_3_11.pdf

Stick around the forum.  It's a great place to get answers and support.

Best wishes,

Denise

I'm so glad to hear that things are going better.  Yes, it isn't fun to swallow during the early healing stage, but it gradually gets better.  Yes, yes, yes...tiny bites and chew, chew, chew!  That's exactly right.  Kitt's right...be sure to be sipping water throughout the day, even though you don't want to swallow.  You need the liquids.

Your appetite will increase as you heal.  The top of the stomach is swollen right now, and the message to the brain is, "I'm full!"  You won't be able to eat much at all for a while, so eat small meals at intervals throughout the day.

Once your wrap has reached peak swelling about around the two week mark, you will start to see your swallowing improve, but don't stop taking small bites and chewing, chewing, chewing.  You should do that throughout the healing stage.  It takes 6 months for most of the healing and a year for the rest.  Even when your swallowing improves, continue to chew things to a liquid consistency...let your teeth be your blender!

You'll always need to eat a bit more slowly and chew your food more carefully.  No more swallowing chunks of food that haven't been fully chewed.  It's the healthiest way to eat anyway!

Again, glad to hear that things are better!

Happy healing!

Denise