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CMiller Nissen Fundo Journey starting 9-25-13

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Posted 9/28/2013 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,
I had my Nissen Fundo done Wednesday morning and was able to go home from the hospital on Thursday afternoon. I had some strange symptoms while in the hospital and wondered if anyone else experienced anything similar. I had chest pains in the middle of my chest that the pain increased significantly with deep breaths. I also had a heart rate of 120+. They did a chest x ray and sitting up made me very nauseated and I dry heaved a few times, but the x ray came back normal. They also did an EKG to check my heart and it came back normal as well. The pain seemed to get better on it's own but even now, two days post nissen I have pains in my chest, mostly by the clavicles. They can be pretty sharp at times and very annoying.

The pain in my abdomen is not very intense, as long as I don't move much. I'm trying to stay wake, since all I've done since the surgery is sleep. I've had water to drink since Thursday and had jello in the hospital. Since I've been home I've also eaten some applesauce, frozen yogurt, and a smoothie along with the water and some diluted beef broth.. Everything seemed to go down just fine, though after the smoothie the pain below my left ribcage did increase a little bit but not much.

I've also been experiencing some aches and pains all over my upper body like back pain and the pain in my chest. It almost feels like a bad cold. There is also a tickle in the back of my throat which causes me to cough. Coughing hurts but I just press a pillow against my abdomen while I hurt and that seems to help.

I know this all seems like bad news but overall my experience with the surgery was a pretty positive one. I checked in at 6:30 in the morning and was pulled back to prep right away. The prep was just checking that they had the right person going in for the right surgery. I don't remember a whole lot from when I woke up, but the pain in my abdomen wasn't as bad as I expected. I did get the chest pains but they only lasted a few hours before they went away on their own. Mostly anyway. The doctors and nurses were all very helpful and understanding of my limits. I didn't sleep well the night in the hospital because they kept coming in to check on me and change the IV. Shortly after I woke they took me down for a barium swallow test to make sure there were no tares in the esophagus or stomach, which I'm told is possible but very rare. Once that test came back normal a while later they brought me in some water to drink and some jello. They took the cathider out and I was on my way home shortly after.
Posted 9/28/2013 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hello CMiller and Welcome to our Wrap Club. I had my Nissen on 9/11/2013. I also (like u) was released the afternoon after surgery. about ur chest pain ...I'm pretty sure it is completely normal since even now when I yawn it hurts quite significantly. U should c about getting Zofran for the nausea. It's a lil sublingual and it's really is the best. Really try not to dry heave or vomit. That process can really mess up the proceeded. I know how anointed u must b thinking something's up w ur heart when it's just "our friend" hernia making a mess of things. U will b tired for a while - I'm on day 16 and it's hard not sleeping all day but my hunny had to return to wrk and I'm a mom of 4 plus working on my bachelors degree fm home. Just wondering what r ur food restrictions? Stick w liquid for at lease 2 wks I just started w soft food. Different states and different doctors different requirements. Coughing still hurts and crying and yelling is terrible. U may notice sinus stuff soon and the sore shoulders and throat r totally normal. The shoulders r fm the Co2 they used getting stuck and the throat thing is fm assisted breathing (these May b things u already know it have heard) the pillow was my BFF for 2 wks. The not remember stuff is also normal my after surgery is a complete blur . My hunny had to fill in the details. Ur surgery sounds a great deal like mine. And on here feel free to complain and post positive or negative stuff we r all here to listen and give advice. Many of us write daily and about every detail of our experience. Healingwell is a place to b open honest and detailed . U never know who might have the perfect advice for u to help u.
Posted 9/28/2013 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi cmiller,

Welcome to the yeah yeah yeah Wrapped Club! yeah yeah yeah The chest pain is to be expected since that's the area where most everything was done.  Everybody interprets their pain uniquely.  Your insides have been through a lot...other organs have been moved and held aside so the surgeon could get to the surgical field to do their work.  It takes some time for things to recover.

The shoulder pain (near the clavicle) is likely the very common pain that all post-Nissen patients experience. It is extremely painful and annoying, and doesn't really doesn't subside much with pain meds.  It is caused by a combination of the gas pumped into your body to make it easier for the surgeon to see, and referred pain caused by irritation to the diaphragm in the hernia repair/surgery. 

In my experience walking really helped get rid of the shoulder pain.  A night nurse at the hospital told me to walk whenever I got up to go to the bathroom, which I did.  I continued walking as much as possible at home as well.  I found that he more I walked, the less pain I had in my shoulder.

Glad to hear you're home and healing.  I will say this...if you can surrender to your recovery and follow it where it leads you, you'll find the experience much more positive.  You can't rush the healing.  Your body will heal in its own sweet time!  If you struggle against what is, it will make your recovery much more unpleasant.

Here's a link to my early recovery journal, in case you haven't seen it.  It'll give you an idea of what my experience was like.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

Hang in there!  It gets better!

Happy healing,

Denise

Posted 9/28/2013 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Dencha...u couldn't have said that better! Wow. U actually remind me of my nurse :) . I am very happy there is this forum because it has helped me so much w my recovery. Knowing there's others out all over the US doing what I am doing or revived and leading a normal new life. Thanks u and to CMiller keep posting updates and literally ask any and all questions we r here to help
Posted 9/28/2013 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
Yep, it can feel like they beat you up while in surgery. The clavicle pain is the most annoying and painful. With the work they do at the diaphragm it effects the nerves that branch out to the upper chest area.

Now all the worst pain is behind you and the recovery begins!

Cold drinks can actually cause more pain in some people.


Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/28/2013 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
I had my surgery on Wednesday morning and was wondering when and how much walking should I do? Just getting up around the house or walks around the block? I have a glider I can use should I start that soon, 10-15 mins a day? My docs didn't tell me anything about walking other than they told me to get up and walk around my room in the hospital. Thursday and Friday I was just exhausted and my husband kept waiting on me not letting me get up much. I don't like just lying around, but know I need to heal. Please help, what did your docs say about exercise?
Posted 9/28/2013 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
CMiller - that must have been scary for you in the hospital. Thankfully, the worst is behind you.

I love Denise's advice, but here is some of my own as my surgery was so recent.

I would walk for about 5 minutes at a time. I got on my treadmill at a very slow pace, as I drove my dogs nuts walking around the house, they wanted to know what the heck I was doing. I walked around the outside of the house on nice days. I didn't do the block, I wanted to avoid people I knew and felt obligated to stop and talk to. Don't push it, just change positions every couple of hours and walk for a few minutes in between.

Don't hesitate to use your pain meds. I felt like you, too - the pain seemed to be everywhere. I could not pinpoint any particular spot if you asked me. I felt kind of beat up. By day 5, that was gone. My surgeon predicted that, said in my written instructions to stop the pain meds that day. If you read my journey, you'll see I overdid it that 5th night, causing me to need pain meds for another day and a half.

I'm a firm believer in getting as much protein as possible. Protein shakes, adding protein powder to a smoothie, swirling a beaten egg into hot broth and blending are all things you can consume at this point. I was able to eat scrambled egg, too - but my surgeon was quite lenient with post-op diet.

Walking was it for exercise, and it wasn't referred to as exercise. The surgeon said you do not want to increase your heart rate considerably, or break a sweat at all. Again, my surgeon is quite lenient, but he lifted any exercise restrictions at day 17 post-op visit.

Do you have a 2 week post-op visit scheduled with your surgeon? I know now it seems like it is so far away, but that day will come and you should be feeling so much better than you are now.
Posted 9/28/2013 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi cmiller, I was walking my dog on day four but just took it slow and just walked around the block. about a 20 min walk. If u feel tired just take a nap or if u feel up to it take a short walk. Just remember u have had a major surgery so u need plenty of rest.

All the best.
Posted 9/28/2013 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
My family keeps babying me. It's driving me nuts! I think I'll start walking Monday when they go to work, taking it very slow at first so as not to overdo it. I'll probably us the glider so I don't get halfway around the block and become exhausted. I have been up around the house some but probably not as much as I should or could.

My family say I look much better and seem to be getting better every day but all I do is sleep. Some of it is boredom. Think I need to work on the crafts for my daughter's birthday. I'm making ninja turtle masks for all the kids and my mom is helping me sew turtle shells for the kids to decorate.

Today ( day three post op) I'm feeling constipated. I took miralax this morning but it usually takes days to work. I have a laxative that works much faster but of course it's stronger. Any idea if it's safe. It doesn't cause cramping but sometimes when it kicks in its emediate and I have to hurry to the bathroom.

I know I have to give my body time, but I'm restless and board and afraid I am sleeping too much. I woke at 5 this morning after a restless night, went back to bed at 9 and slept till almost noon, then fell asleep again watching movies around 2 and slept till 3. I'm eating 3-4 ozs every two to three hours when I'm awake. Soft things like applesauce, pudding or smoothies.
Posted 9/28/2013 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Great work on the costumes!!! I use to make my kids their costumes, too. One year, we all dressed as cows. I bought my costume, udders and all. I sewed the cow costumes for my 3 young children. Those were fun times.

I never get bored, but I surely was the first week. I really didn't feel good enough to do anything for any length of time. I tried reading, I could not get interested. Movies didn't interest me. I probably should have used the pain meds more than I did those first 5 days.

It sounds like you are doing as well as can be expected. My surgeon recommended Senna and Colace. Senna is a laxative. I took 2 tablets twice a day for 2 days before it worked. By that time, it made me nauseous, I was afraid I was going to puke - it scared me. So, I switched to Miralax. After several days of nothing, I tried a single dose of senna and a dose of colace, that helped without the nausea.

The senna also comes in a liquid form from the pharmacy. The surgeon gave me a prescription for it before I left the hospital, but it took Walgreens 2 days to get it in. By then, I was crushing and splitting the tablets, instead.

Today was my first somewhat 'normal' day, without medicinal help. But, I ate pot roast with potatoes and carrots for dinner last night and fried/breaded chicken wings for lunch yesterday. Like my doc said, when I begin to eat normal, things will move normally.

Tomorrow will be better CMiller.
Posted 9/29/2013 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
I'm starting day four now and am only taking pain meds at night. They didn't send me home with much and I wanted to regulate it. I'm not in considerable pain anyway but I toss and turn a lot at night.

You're right about books and movies, I just have no interest in them. Determined today to not sleep as much. Tiered of waking at 4-5 am and then going back to bed before 9 am.

I'm thinking I'll try my other laxative, think it's just called women's laxative, I have the generic walmart version. It usually works within the day.

I appreciate the encouragement. Thanks

Cmiller

Army Wife Strong
Posted 9/29/2013 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Rest if you need it, no need to push it. Each day gets a little better. Yesterday was my first day where I didn't nap during the day.

Many find ibuprofen to be helpful instead of the pain meds from the doctor by day 5. It helps to relieve any swelling, as well as pain. My surgeon also only gave me a limited amount of the liquid pain med, told me to quit on day 5. I called and discussed with the nurse on day 3, that I can't take ibuprofen without stomach upset and they sent me a refill. I used 2 or 3 doses from the 2nd bottle, then was done.

I hope you find today a little easier, but don't push it! Listen to your body's needs. Take care!
Posted 9/29/2013 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
I'm still on day 4 post nissen. I walked around walmart today, maybe half hour then came home and napped. I woke on my stomach. Since then I've been experiencing more discomfort up under my ribs, I'm thinking the diaphragm. The pain at my clavicles and shoulders has gotten better. Not sure if I over did the walk or if it's because I slept on my stomach (amazed it didn't hurt while I slept). Deep breaths hurt again as does yawning, hiccups and burping.

Also I'm seriously craving solid foods. I want something that requires chewing and something more savory than sweet. Been "eating" smoothies, applesauce, pudding and one thing of soup. Need some food ideas that are safe. Everything seems to be going down just fine, but I get full after 4-8 oz. any ideas?
Posted 9/30/2013 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi cmiller,

Getting full after tiny amounts of food is totally normal.  The top of your stomach, where the message of fullness originates, is swollen and stiff.  Because of that, the brain interprets "fullness", hence the early satiety.  This feeling of fullness gradually subsides as healing progresses and swelling subsides. Until then, many tiny meals are best.

As far as eating goes...there are still surgeons who expect their patients to remain on a liquid diet during the period of peak swelling.  That way, there are fewer problems for them to deal with.  Sometimes swelling is severe enough to require that.  Rather than providing their patients to use their own judgment regarding what they can and can't manage, they make the decision for them.  Liquids.  And indeed, liquids do their job.  They can be swallowed even during peak swelling periods.

There is another philosophy (which was the one held by my surgeon), which is to let the patient use his/her own judgment about what they can eat, with the caveat that only things that can be "chewed to a liquid" be eaten, and that patients should stay away from hard meats like steak, as well as untoasted breads.

Starting on Day 6, my surgeon released me to eat "anything that can be chewed to a liquid", which I did without a problem.  Of course, during peak swelling, I stuck with very soft foods/soups.  I just listened to my body, and only swallowed things that chewed to a nothing/liquid/creamy consistency.  It was trial and error, and I found multitudes of delicious treats that could be chewed by my perfectly capable teeth, rather than placed in a blender to do the same job.  In my opinion, chewing is the best part of eating, and why let the blender have all the fun! 

Even bread, when well toasted, chews to a liquid.  Saltines do the same.  Actually, I found crispy things (no raw veggies!!) chewed to a liquid just fine.  Just keep a paper napkin handy, just in case you find yourself with some food in your mouth that doesn't chew properly.  You can deposit it discreetly in the napkin and nobody will be any the wiser!

My surgeon said that "even a bolus of mashed potato can get stuck".  It's more a case of not swallowing anything that doesn't chew to a complete liquid.  That means ANYTHING.  Take very small bites and chew, chew, chew, chew. 

I'm sure sleeping on your stomach at such an early stage of recovery isn't the most comfortable thing, and I'm sure it can cause some pain. At Day 4, all those things you describe can and will cause pain.  This too, will pass.  Healing takes time, and you're in the thick of the roughest part of recovery.  Hang in there!  It gets better!

Happy healing,

Denise

Posted 9/30/2013 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Today, day 5, I woke starving. I found I had to eat a bit more to feel full, but I ate my usual small amount and waited an hour and ate again. I'm scared to eat too much so I'm eating more frequently.

Thanks, dencha, for the advice. I'm wanting different textures and tastes and what you said helps a lot. I'm gonna have to go grocery shopping for some foods, because I don't have a lot of choices at home right now.

My surgeon didn't leave me with a clear routine to follow. I was given some paperwork that showed what I can and can't eat for the soft foods diet but nothing clear on when to start that diet. I decided to try small amounts today. I had cream of wheat hot cereal for breakfast and canned pears for a snack. Both went down just fine. Trying some pasta in beef broth for lunch. Just have to chew chew chew, right. If there are problems I'll just switch to applesauce or a smoothie.

Thanks for the advice.
Posted 10/1/2013 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi cmiller,

The key is taking small bites and chew, chew, chew.  Some people have difficulty with pasta, while others can handle it just fine.  I found melted mozzarella very difficult.  If you make crepe manicotti, you'd do fine with it.  I found the slow cooker to be a great tool. I put beef, potato, carrots, onion, a package of onion soup mix and about a cup of water, then cooked it for at least 12 hours on low (I sometimes start it on high to get it going, then turn it down), and it as very tasty and easy to chew. 

It's trial and error, but it sounds as if you've got the idea!

Happy eating,

Denise

Posted 10/1/2013 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Fish is easy if you like it. It's flaky to begin with and very easy to chew.

Scrambled eggs went down easy early on. I beat them with cream for added calories and kept them on the soft side when cooking. 1 large egg was an entire meal early on, when I needed 5 -6 meals a day.

I turned a baked potato into soup in a bowl. I scooped out the potato into a bowl, added cream, shredded cheese and butter, some salt and pepper and mashed it a little. The next day I did the same and added some bacon bits. You can chew it a little more and it goes down easy.

I bought a tiny pasta, think it's called orzo - I cook it in some chicken broth with shredded carrot, until the pasta and carrot are soft, then swirl a beaten egg into it for extra protein and fat. It all slides right down the throat.

By day 5, I added crackers. I'd take a tiny bite and chew it up. It would turn to mush in soup, but I turned it into mush in my mouth instead. I used Club Crackers, saltines also work well.

I hope that helps!

Once again, I have to keep reminding myself to not get disrupted while eating. If I take my mind off of what I'm doing, I'll swallow too fast. It goes down, just slowly.
Posted 10/1/2013 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the great advice, guys. I had my usual smoothie for breakfast but had easy Mac for lunch just a little bit ago. Day 6 for me and feeling pretty good. I still ware out excessively easy. Went to walmart for soft foods and broke into a sweat pretty fast. Took a two hr nap when I got home.

Anyone else bothered with sudden diaphragm spasums? A little like a hick up but only one at a time. They hurt like crazy and come on very suddenly. I also have chest pain similar to the pain I had with GERD when on medication. I also have a cough that wakes me up at night, every night. It's the symptom that started my whole journey in the first place and I'm worried that I still have reflux after all. They have me on nexium everyday twice a day.

I see a nurse tomorrow to check the insizion sites but don't see the surgeon till the 10th. This forum has been great for me, it's so nice to talk to people who have been through it. I hope once I've been through it I can help someone else.

One last question, anyone know why I can't have chocolate, coffee, or tomatoes like before the surgery? Thought this surgery would stop GERD. So why can't I have my chocolate yet? And will I be able to in 6 weeks?
Posted 10/30/2013 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,
Not sure if anyone is still reading this, but thought I would update. It's been 5 weeks since my surgery and I feel great. I'm able to eat anything I want and no symptoms! Everyday was better than the last and finally it seemed I could eat anything. I still chew things pretty small and eat slower than I used to. I don't know if I have to or not but it's better for you anyway. I guess I do have one symptom, burping. Sometimes I feel like there is an air bubble stuck in my chest or throat, but burping gets rid of it. Sometimes it takes several burps to clear it completely but it works great. I see my surgeon on the 12th, but know he's gonna be happy with my progress. It was a rocky start, but I'm so glad I had the Nissen done.

I found out the diaphragm spasms are normal, I had three stitches in my diaphragm and it just took a little time to heal. They were much better by early to middle of week 2. The cough also went away at night. I still cough now and again, but don't really think it's GERD. My energy level went up by mid week 2 and I was anxious to return to work, but waited till week 4. I ended up doing work around the house and even painted my bathroom by week 3. It seems to me the first week is the hardest.

Any questions, feel free to ask me on here. I'll try to answer them. I know many people are new to the forum.
Posted 10/30/2013 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Yay CMiller! yeah yeah yeah

It's great to hear that you're doing better.  Keep taking smaller bites and chewing your food thoroughly.  Actually, you should ALWAYS chew thoroughly after a Nissen, even when you're fully healed, so get used to being the last one to finish your meal!

Thanks for the update. It's important for others who are suffering through those first couple of weeks to see someone who is farther along in their recovery and doing well.

Don't forget that his recovery takes six months to a year to be complete, so don't get too frisky! 

Happy healing,

Denise

Posted 10/30/2013 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cmiller! Its always comforting to know that someone has the same recovery symptoms as me, thank you for updating!
Like Denise said, chew chew chew and eat slowly still. I often forget, because swallowing is easy, and sometimes eat too fast or dont chew enough and I pay for it.
The air bubbles worry me sometimes too and feel funny when they get trapped. They make me anxious.

I am glad you are doing so well!!!!!!!
Posted 10/30/2013 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
The air bubbles can make me anxious too, especially when I can't burp right away, it can feel like I'm choking. The burps do come quickly but it can feel like forever if the air bubble is stuck in the right, or wrong, place. Good to know I'm not alone.
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