Laurie's Nissen Journey Begins on 9/10/2013

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I've begun day 5 post op following another very good night's sleep. I'm down a total of 9 pounds now! I have some minor itching at a couple of the lap incisions. They look ok, scabbed and bruised. Steri-strips are all in place.

I suffer from bad degenerative facet disease in my entire spine, I've been putting off fusion for a couple of years. I take Baclofen every night to help with spasms. It's worked well. The spasms have been back since being off since the day of surgery. Last night I broke a tablet up and swallowed it with applesauce. I feel better this morning. I also use a medicine called Flector Patch. I had to be off that and Celebrex for a week prior to surgery. It's good to be able to use it, again. I rely heavily on Pilates for back and knee pain control. I have not been able to exercise properly for 8 months because of lung problems from gerd. I look forward to getting back to it.

I have a weird hollow type feeling in my ears, mostly my left one. Everything kind of echoes. I read on this forum that someone else experienced this post - op, because of intubation. My anesthesiologist was very concerned with the condition of my lungs prior to surgery. She planned to tube me from the start. If someone reading this is familiar with this, how long does this weird ear syndrome last?

I enjoyed a cup of black tea this morning. My surgeon did no limit any coffee or tea following surgery. I know may other post Nissen dietary lists say caffeine is on the 'NO' list. I don't know why. Maybe it's because of the little added energy it gave me, I started doing things I shouldn't. Thankfully, my family is here and told me to stop.

Does anyone else know why many doctors limit caffeine, chocolate, fresh fruit and tomatoes? None of these were restricted for me. My reflux never caused heartburn, so I'm unaware of food ever causing troubles. Most of my problems were on an empty stomach (ache and nausea). I specifically mentioned fruit with seeds to my surgeon post op, and he said no problem making smoothies with fresh fruit. I have yogurt and protein powder I planned to add fruit to and toss in the vitamix.

I felt slightly more swelling swallowing yogurt this morning to get my broken up/crushed meds down. I had been using applesauce until today. I suppose the added swelling is normal at this point.

In summary:

When will my ears go back to normal?
Why are certain foods restricted following Nissen? I understand gas causing veggies and beans, but caffeine, tomatoes, chocolate, fresh fruits, etc.

Does swelling at the surgical site build-up daily?

Is it normal to have some minor itching at lap incisions?

And finally - when are we supposed to be able to do ab exercises?

Finally, in conclusion for today - All surgeons that perform Nissen Fundoplication should direct their patients to this awesome forum! It more awesome because of the wonderful moderators here. :)

Day 5 ended and Day 6 started in a very bad way. My big standard poodle got skunked late at night. We've never dealt with that here, but I've heard stories. My husband had been partying with his brother, and home watching football, and had a lot to drink so he was no help. I had to wake my teenager up to help me. I ended up doing the stairs too many times, bending over, lifting stuff - it was just unavoidable. Well, I could have probably avoided it, but I didn't.

I went all day 5 with just one dose of pain meds, until the nasty event. I had to take another dose, then several more today. I don't feel any special pain, just kind of all over... hard to describe. I think it is from a combination of lack of sleep and overdoing it. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow.

Eating is certainly getting easier today. I've also had very little gas and bloat. I've convinced my sister to look into getting this same surgery. She suffers from awful LPR. I guess that says I know I'm doing well if I want my loved one to go through it next. :)

The itchy incisions are itching a little more. I wonder if the adhesive left from bandaids is causing it. I've been trying to remove it, not sure of the best way. I just scratch a little around them.

Thanks Ian, the ear thing is weird, not painful, though.

Lajenner --I'm in day 7 and I sleep about 4-6 hrs w Percocet which seems like I'm floating but takes all the pain away for the most part. I am also on high dose Tylenol for the in-between hrs. Oh I thought that was funny about ur store experience cuz I did the same thing yesterday w my finance-he was fearful of my driving skills since I am not a licensed driver (by choice). Anyways I know what u mean about getting up throughout the night to pee alot I think it's a liquid diet thing- I am very excited for mushy foods 2mrw. I am also having alot of nausea and constipation and those two completely suck. As of today my finance won't leave my side for another wk until I go on more of a solid type food thing.

Marko - Welcome to our club. I still have a considerable about of mucus and throat clearing. I learned from others here that it takes time for the lungs to heal. I believe my body thinks that acid is still going to come up, to it continues to coat my throat with sticky crud.

lajenner - I had no trouble with bending over from day 3 on, and off my pain meds on day 3 also, but have use my share on extra strength Tylenol. I envy you with the food though. I was told if I couldn't make cream soup out of it, don't eat it until my two week follow up, & I am going to be a perfect patient so nothing goes south on me. at least not by my fault. Just think we were both having the same op. the same day, in different city's. I mean you know it happens but. Well I hope you continue to heal well, I can relate how messed up you must have felt prier to your surgery. My life was very discouraging before the 10th at least now we have hope!

is coffee supposed to be a no no? that's one thing I have been doing since my first day home, I missed it so much. I think my doc. said it was ok for me to drink as long as it was not to hot. I have a call in to them and expect they will call me tomorrow. I will post what the word is, things do seem to be different from state to state.

Lajenner --it's really a smart idea making list I also have been doing that and I use to love Food Network but it has become my enemy . So has smelling yummy food my hunny makes just drives me almost literally insane -mash Tatoes for me 2mrw yay😃!
Marko--- the throat clearing thing is normal I am doing alot of that I found sitting up alot helps and getting plenty of rest and DON'T LIFT A SINGLE THING!!-
-I still can't get off pain meds I'm still afraid of the pain. Bending hurts and pulls real annoyingly 😞.

Brandy- you have lost a lot of weight congagulations that alone must make u feel good. as for coffee, I woke up this am feeling not bad, had a cup of strong coffee (just like I like it) and had this feeling like something was stuck in my chest so maybe coffee is a no no, I will ask when my docs nurse calls today, or just drop it for awhile.
lejenner - keep your daily posts coming there nice to compare, I have been asked if I could come in to the office and put in a day, (guess they need me after all) so this is my first day back. Why did I answer the phone?

Brandy - nice to see your updates. Congratulations on getting that weight off! I'm also avoiding any food shows on tv. Darnit, my favorite morning news show always has a food segment. I'm sure once I'm out and about, beer signs will pound me over the head. Beer is my favorite adult beverage.

I wonder why your pain continues such that you are afraid to quit the narcotics? Have you tried using ibuprofen instead? I am now at almost 50 hours with nothing for pain on day 9 post op.

Marko - way to go at least making the effort! I'm sure they appreciated that, I hope you feel much better tomorrow. My big dog vs. skunk event Sunday night was a big step back, but by Tuesday I was moving forward, again.

Lajenner--I literally record every food network show...lets just say now they r banned! Makes me so hungry to watch those types of shows. I used to b a heavy drinker but I started blacking out so I decided against drinking and coffee was that replacement but it gave me kidney stones. I would consume at lease 12 cups a day fm morning to night and add in those jolt shots so ya off that too. Now I stick to smokes and crystal light lol oh and occasionally soda lol. It was really hard losing the weight . I've always loved working out like 5-6 days a wk. so I really can't wait til I can again . I'm just as of today eating some solid like thicker soup mixed in w my liquid diet I love soooo much (total Sarcasm). Oh I get annoyed easy and yell which I think is setting me back and I cry over every sweet movie which doesn't help matters. My doc said is b on meds for pain for at Least a month. I'm sticking to every word my doc says cuz I don't wanna re do this experience I just wanna b healthly and fit again.
Another funny thing is the whole female shaving I've cut myself at lease 4x but if I don't shave I itch like a mad women . I'm still not losing much 8 days and only 3 lbs gues I can't b***h too much I'm just dying to work out . Tho my arms r getting a wrk out since I use them to pull me out of bed and help w lifting myself in the car or up stairs.
I've also had issues now getting enough protein...has anyone has this issue?
Oh and when is the gas suppose to stop? It's getting embarrassing
Bending is another challenge but my hunny pucks me up alot like to get into our escalade and I don't know how long ill b using those ride karts lol they r fun tho.
I'm not seeming to have the sticky food problem .

my doctor told me to get 80 grams of protein daily, and there is no way that can happen with my diet right now, as well as the bloating I might be getting 45 or 50 and that's with the help from drinking a couple of those Boosts every day (15 grams each). I have been having this darn tickle feeling in the back of my throat been there for the last couple days. reminds me of LPR symtoms God that would be terrible. my doctors office called me back with my question about taking my PPI's and told me they would rather I went without them. so I stopped after surgery you would think those would no longer be needed. I forgot to ask them about drinking coffee or not, so I will hold it to 1 cup a day. I do love my coffee. has anyone else had that tickle feeling about halfway down your throat. Maybe I'm being impatient but I want no symtoms of my past . anyway day 10 tomorrow huh lajenner