My Nissen Journey- Surgery Friday August 9th 2013

SJ-

You are starting to get into the worst part of the swelling. This will make it more challenging to swallow and a lot odd strange things can happen at this time. Anything from spasms to reflux sensations. With the wrap area swollen the wrap isn't working correctly and that is the cause of the reflux feeling, also food can sit at the wrap and ferment causing reflux feelings.
The spasms can be eased up by drinking some warm tea or room temp water. Not hot, but warm. Cold things can cause spasms also.
Do stay hydrated. It's more important at this stage to stay hydrated than eating a lot. If you get dehydrated you will feel like crud and have the issues with the recovery. The gurgling sounds an such are normal. It can be quite loud at times too. Your body is healing and adjusting to it's new digestive system design.
Remember this recovery doesn't happen fast. you will notice small improvements over time, but you have to get through the worst part of the swelling before that happens. The next 2 to 3 weeks will be the worst.

Take care,
Bill

Hi SJ,

Like Bill said, you're moving into peak swelling territory.  Try to remember you've just had major surgery.  On the outside it's hard to believe, since you weren't sliced open and just have little slits to show for your surgery.  Inside you've had major, major changes.  In addition, all your organs were moved around so the surgeon could get to the surgery site. 

Pain is to be expected.  Listen to your body, and take it a little easier when you feel pain.  The shoulder pain is caused by a combination of the gas left inside from the surgery and irritation to the diaphragm.  Walking should help that.  You're in the midst of the roughest part of the surgery.  If you're still experiencing pain, by all means, take your pain medication.  Some people are able to switch to liquid Motrin or Tylenol after a few days.  If you haven't bought any of that, you might want to.  Sometimes it works to take the OTC meds during the day and the narcotic pain meds at night, when pain seems more acute.

Hang in there...it gets better!

Happy healing,

Denise

SJ-

Even with all the warnings we give it seems everyone posts the same thing as you. It's easy to read it, but to actually go through it is a bit of a shock. Especially as Denise said, the outside incisions heal so much quicker. Believe me, your insides are just starting to get angry.
If your body tells you it hurts, take the meds. That's what they are for.

Take care,
Bill

Hi SJ,

 

Hang in there!  At 10 days you're in the thick of your recovery, and things inside are continuing to swell.  This is all normal.  My surgeon told me that my swallowing would get worse before it got better, and to expect peak swelling somewhere around the two week mark.  It sounds as if you're following the typical path.  A very few people make it through this stage without a lot of swelling, but swelling is very normal.

Be sure to listen to your body.  Take pain medications as needed.  I don't know if you've moved to soft foods, but if so, you might want to move back to liquids for a few days.  Just see what feels better.  I remember that at your stage of recovery swallowing anything could be a challenge at times.  Warm liquids can help.

I know it is hard at this point.  Over my years participating on this forum, I've seen many like you--people who wish they'd never had the surgery during early recovery.  Given time to heal, they change their tune completely, and are thrilled with the results.  This is the toughest part of your recovery.  It will take patience and courage, but you'll make it.

If you can surrender to your recovery and follow its lead, you'll find your recovery much more manageable.  You can't worry or stress this recovery away.  It takes time.  Every body reacts to the surgery a little differently, and no matter how much you wish it, you can't hurry the process.  Trust your body to know what to do.  Listen to it. 

Relax and go with the flow.  You have no choice...no matter how stressed out you are, you're not going to change the healing path.  No matter how frustrated and anxious you are to hurry the recovery along, you can't force healing.  Your body will take its own sweet time. If you can change your attitude toward what is happening, you will feel so much better as you move through this challenging recovery.  Attitude is indeed a choice, and you can choose a positive one, even in the midst of a challenging situation.

It's normal to feel emotional after surgery.  Just let those feelings flow through, but don't hold on.  Have your cry, then screw up your courage and make a decision to go with the flow.  You can do this!!

Hang in there,

Denise

Its interesting reading this because I had my surgery a day before you had yours and my progress is going quite differently to yours. While my swelling in my stomach has gotten worse I am not really in anypain but I have had no desire for food. I also know that a few days ago I was in some horrible mood, I was just overly cranky for a couple of days !
Best of luck with your recovery

Hi SJ and Bcolt,

Both your posts indicate how each recovery, though sharing some universal similarities, takes its own unique course.  Please take enough pain meds to be comfortable.  You should not be afraid to take what you need to feel comfortable.   

Try to modify your diet and stick with liquids until your wrap feels a little better. 

It will get better!  Trust. Your body knows best, and healing will progress in its own time.

Happy healing!

Denise

SJ-

That is good news. Enjoy your day out. Getting outside really seems to help clear the head and adds some energy too.

Take care,
Bill

StephanieJean said...
I have not really wanted food either, I just try to eat a little something here and there, yesterday i could feel things getting stuck a bit so I knew today would be worse. I am not taking hardly any pain medication now. just a bit of liquid tylenol and a half a percoset if i need it at night or in the morning. I should take something now because i am uncomfortable physically and emotionally.

Bcolt, how else has yours differed than mine?

Well to start I never really had any severe pain in my throat post surgery, but I have been kinda phlegmy and had this weird white coating in my mouth most mornings when I wake up.

However, I havent started eating as much as you seem to and I stopped taking my pain meds quite awhile ago. If you look at my diary thingy you can see it all.

I also started sleeping on my side pretty early on ! I am trying to think of as many things as possible but my brain is going dead

Ohh as for the shoulder pain I still get it if i sneeze or cough and stuff

Post Edited (Bcolt) : 8/21/2013 7:34:01 AM (GMT-6)

My doctor thinks my diaphram is just irritated and inflamed. He told me to take Motrin and also gave me medications for the hiccups/spasms. I hope that it helps, this is very painful!
The good news is, I am feeling less swollen and have been able to taste a larger variety of things. My incision sites are sore today though. all in all an ouchy day.

walking and ibuprofen have helped a lot. feeling better. and you are right, pain meds dont touch that kind of pain.

I have been having little burps today! kind of neat. when I eat or drink i have tiny little burps coming up.
Last night one of my spasm pills got stuck, I can not crush them so I tried taking it whole. It wasnt the first time but I might have been a little swollen at the end of the day. That was scary, having that stuck felt like it took hours to go down while I panicked...but it wasnt hours, and it did go down.

Hey Rebecca!
I am actually doing really well I think. My incisions are sore, but only the one is really painful at times and actually in the last few days I have not thought about it much. One of my steri strips came off, the one right below my breasts where my bra hits, so I have been going braless for the most part lately lol.

I stayed in the hospital two nights and then left because I was eating well. I only take liquid lortab now along with gas x and the spasm medication which makes me tired. I only really have the pain in my shoulder from the diaphragm inflammation. I dont really have any trouble with gas now, but I did while taking the zofram, it really binds you up majorly. that also kept the gas in.
I think because of my shoulder pain i am going to take another week off work, it is really troubling me, but I see my dr. for followup tuesday next week.
I was able to eat some meatloaf I made today, i made it really soft with some mashed potatoes. it was so good. I am happy I am able to eat more and more, but not quantity, I eat like a bird, but at least I can be more adventerous with my textures.
I also walk the dog twice a day, so walking really does help with getting your energy back and making you feel less bloated and gross.

My suggestion is to stop taking the zofram as soon as you feel like you are able, I started becoming more regular and less full of gas when I did.

Thanks for your message! I hope you recover quickly and I wish you the best of health!

Post Edited (StephanieJean) : 8/23/2013 5:04:36 PM (GMT-6)