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Posted 12/12/2013 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all

posted on here a few days ago with concerns and thought i would post again.
I am now a week post surgery, tonight i had an awful burning feeling in my upper abdomen, felt like the old acid feeling creeping up, however, only gas gets into my esophagus, and so im not sure whether it is acid or trapped gas.

i am belching a lot and feel uncomfortable, the burning/gassy feeling is just above where i had the top incision for the surgery, and like i said, i dont appear to be getting heartburn as such, just a bit worried that the wrap is undone althouhgh as i posted last time...i can never tell if im overreacting.

Also, what was everyone's diet like post op? I have drank a lot of coffee today and wonder whether maybe this has caused the gassy burning feeling, my diet sheet said i can drink coffee, tea, juice water ect.
I have eaten some toast with water today (chewed down to liquid) and havent experienced any problems although im not sure whether i should have introduced this or not.

Lastly, alcohol? when would be reasonable to try a drink? im aware i cant have fizzy drinks but as far as alcohol goes i dont drink beer/lager/cider ect.
I am 20 years old and it would be nice to know when i could try a wine what with christmas coming up!

many thanks


:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Posted 12/12/2013 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hello gloopstar!

Welcome to The Wrapped Club (we are quite the elite group, as you will see)!

Your esophagus is a dumb organ. The only way it knows how to communicate pain or discomfort is to make it feel like reflux/heartburn. This is completely normal given how much time has passed since your surgery. You will likely feel this for several more days. That gassy feeling will go away with time as well. Much of what you're feeling is your body going through the shock of major abdominal surgery and the healing process that comes along with that. The "top incision" you mention is likely the main port where your surgeon did most of his/her work. As such, it will be the most sore for the longest period of time.

Attempting to be active will help with the gassy feeling. Not only is there trapped gas from the insufflation during your surgery, but your digestive system is doing all sorts of wonky things while it gets used to the new arrangement of the furniture.

As for diet, I started having coffee/tea right away and didn't have a single problem. However, you really need to make sure that you are keeping hydrated. Caffeine is a huge source of dehydration and it is recommended that you replace every 8 ounces of caffeine with 8 ounces of water. Keeping hydrated will be super important right now since your diet is still limited. I think I finally had a beer about two months after my operation. I'm not a wine drinker, so maybe those on this forum that are can answer that better. I would think that wine would be a little more irritating since it's so acidic, but what do I know.

Take care and be well!
-TonyG-
Posted 12/12/2013 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
thanks tony :-)

yes i have heard the esophagus is a dumb organ! like i said, i havent noticed any heartburn but more a pain when i burp which i can only presume is the trapped gas.

thanks for the tip RE alcohol. i never even thogh about the wine and the acidity...probably how i ended up with this blasted reflux in the first place! maybe vodka and a juice mixer instead. im not too fussed about drinking its just im going to a social event tomorrow night for a few hours and wondered if i could chance a small drink. will just stick to water and juice if not

many thanks for your response
Posted 12/13/2013 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi gloopster - your complaints are quite common at one week out. The acid is still churning in your stomach, just not getting up into your esophagus. Maybe cut back on the more acidic things. My surgeon never limited alcohol and at my 2 week post-op said no limitations, confirming that. I do know of another woman that started drinking at you point in recovery - she did fine. The juice starts to bother me if I've had too much, just churning acid in my tummy. Maybe use 1/2 water, 1/2 juice - that works out better for me.

Tony gave you lots of good info. If you'd like, you can read about my day by day experience after NF:
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2847294
Posted 12/13/2013 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
thankyou for the reply laurie - look forward to reading your experience (will do after posting this!) - it is sometimes hard to understand what is normal and what isnt. i dont have much knowledge on reflux anyway only that i had numerous tests over the years and was told the valve didnt work properly because i had very low pressure?

havent experienced heartburn for a week which in itself is a miracle because i suffered everyday with episodes. I too have read about people consuming wine not long after surgery, the hospital said 48 hours after surgery would be ok but im not a big drinker anyway and thought two days after was a bit soon, yes i think i will try juice, although it has bothered me a bit and my stomach has churned with it, i suppose it is trial and error at the end of the day so will risk it tomorrow and if i feel pain will leave it there.

thanks again :)
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