Deb's Nissen Recovery Journal (2/28/14 Surgery)

Debra-

I posted to another of your threads about the 10lb thing. I have never heard of that before except for during the 1st 6 to 8 weeks.

I know many people who live absolutely normal lives lifting things as usual and even weight training, though not power lifting, without any issues.

Before my rib nerve injury I was able to lift 100lbs regularly on my job all the time without any problems. I'm a mechanic. Even with a torn esophagus and a 3rd nissen I have never ad any weight restrictions after I was healed. Remember a gallon of liquid is about 6 lbs. Personally I think your surgeon is either not communicating something correctly, mistaken, or severely over cautious.

I haven't seen any studies showing normal activities or sports causing premature wrap failure.

As for dumping, well that's just a nasty early side effect that will get better. If it get's too bad later on I used Imodium to help, but fiber works very well too.


Take care,
Bill

Can I go back on my Metamucil? I took it for cholesterol control. I can't see why not being 2 weeks from surgery?

Wendy,

My surgeon gave me the green light to eat "anything that can be chewed to a liquid" when I saw him on Day 6. Obviously that puts responsibility on the patient to select the right foods, and chew them thoroughly. My mouth and teeth became my blender, which worked out great. Chewing and tasting food is the best part, in my estimation.

I experiments with lots of foods, and only swallowed those that chewed to nothingness. It leaves a lot of leeway, and your variety is tremendous. I just kept a paper napkin handy, so I could discreetly deposit foods that didn't "fit the bill".

I think it's cruel and unusual punishment to expect people to stay on a liquid diet for extended periods, unless they have special complications or issues. Yet, there are still surgeons who expect it. I think they don't trust their patients to be responsible, and it's easier if they just give them the liquids only rule.

It's certainly not necessary. If a patient listens to his/her body, and follows its lead, all is well. Sometimes soup/liquids is what your wrap wants. You'll know.

Have a great day!

Happy healing,
Denise

Ok sorry but another question.....ok 2 questions:

I keep getting hiccups now. Had them last week, early in the week, and they really hurt into my shoulder and neck. Now they don't hurt but keep happening. Sometimes it's 5 mins but usually a few hiccups to a few mins. Any specific reason for this? The last 2 times today it's right after I take a sip to drink. Then I feel sick'ish for a short while.

Today my back in the centre again really hurts. Feels different than before. I did decorate a cake today, made a huge potato salad, and a huge batch of homemade French fried ( half I blanched and froze). No I'm not eating any of this. It's for a family luncheon tomorrow ( which I can't eat anything there). My chest is burning/aching some tonight. Having some weir, quick, sharper pains under left ribs and stomach region.

Ok 3 questions. The base of my ribs hurt and it progresses as the day goes. Right across both sides but worse on the left. Feels like I've been kicked really hard and I'm bruised. Is this just normal healing? My incision spots get really sore too and worsen as the day goes. I get some twangs in 4 of them but had these after I had my tubes done too but just not the ache I'm getting this time.

I know I'm early but curious. I did start soft mushy foods yesterday but maybe I shouldn't yet. Thoughts?

Good Morning Denise. Thanks for letting me ask. I feel like I have so many questions. I've been reading posts on here a ton. It's my comfort spot right now. People who understand. My family has been amazing but of course, they just don't understand fully. My husband didn't want me to have the surgery. He had a 100 ways to cure me naturally. I tried many of his ways. My issues were just too extreme. He has only ever had heartburn a couple times in his life. My life was controlled and lived according to heartburn and it's debilitating consequences and complications. He will see eventually, how much better my life will be. He's definitely loving the weight loss.


My last concern noted above (below) has been going on for 3 days. Only yesterday did I do more. The incision sites and rib pains/aches. Still normal I guess when you think of all the destruction and construction that went on inside of me. I completely underestimate mated the surgery and recovery. I always bounce back from things so quick. I read a few stories on here and they seem miles ahead of me. I think I'm doing well but I want to sprint, not jog. Patience I must learn.

I have my hubby helping me today. My kids are young but helping more. I also have family to help me later today. I'm not hosting at least. I have a brother who is a severe paranoid schizophrenic. It's his bday Tues. he just lost everything in a fire as his building burned down last month. We just got him settled into a new apartment with all new things last weekend. Prior to that he spent 6 weeks in hospital with chest tubes for a severe lung infection. We lost my mom a year ago and he's never coped. This is the only wknd we can get together. I'm in courses the next 2 winds. I don't want him to have to wait. He always ends up waiting. My heart is weak for him. His life has been rough. It was my hubby's bday last we'd, my sister in law last wknd and my dads next week. So it's a combo bday party with a few Eastwr decorations on the cake. We don't get together for Easter.

Ok I'm way off track now. Oops! But that's why the luncheon today. I'm antsy to get moving too. My body and brain are still not on the same page but getting a little closer. Thanks for listening. I'm going to go buy some candied ginger too to try. I hate it but the hiccups are uncomfortable and come in seconds from sipping a drink. I used to hold my breath if I ever got them but now we are not suppose to hold our breath. Does this create pressure on the diaphragm I'm assuming?

Thank you thank you

Debra

Hi Debra,

My left rib pain was the last to go. When I asked my surgeon, he said it was where most of the surgical tool manipulation occurs. I found ice to be very helpful. I think I remember it improving at about the one-month mark or so.

I expect the swelling that peaks on or around the 2-3 week mark is contributing to your discomfort. It takes time, but will improve as healing progresses.

If you can surrender to your recovery and follow its lead, all will be well. Give your body permission to heal in its own sweet time. No matter how much you fight it, you can't rush this recovery. It is what it is. The more you accept this fact, the easier your recovery will be.

Have fun at your family get-together!
Happy healing!
Denise

Hi Debra,

First I'd like to revisit the holding breath and straining issue. When I spoke to my surgeon at my 4 month visit, I asked him lots of questions.

On the topic of coughing, etc. this was what he said. I copied and pasted it right out of my early recovery journal:

I asked him about the effect of coughing on the hernia repair. (I have asthma. Although it has responded amazingly to the surgery, and is MUCH better than it was before the Nissen, I had a lung infection that hadn't resolved, then last week got the flu...To make it even more fun, the tree pollen is giving me fits.)
He said that "even water can erode stone". He said that there is a cumulative effect of coughing, straining, etc., that will eventually weaken the repair. These things are unavoidable.


So as Bill said, you have to go on with your life and not worry about everything. Yes, there are things that can weaken the repair. If you use good common sense, you can continue with your exercise routines and everyday lifting needs. Just use your head. There have been times when I've lifted something that caused pain at the wrap site. It took a few days for it to feel back to normal. That was a wake-up call, and I'm more careful with my lifting technique.

It just makes sense that putting extreme pressure on the diaphragm is not a great idea. The hernia repair is what holds the wrap in place. Re-herniation=failed wrap. That said, it's nothing to worry about, and as long as you use good common sense, you'll do fine. There are surgeons out there who tell their patients they can go back to their weight lifting routines. This surgery isn't meant to take your normal activity away. There's really nothing I don't do now that I didn't do prior to surgery. Personally, I wouldn't want to do a lot of heavy lifting, but that's me.

At your stage--2+ weeks after surgery, you're in full-blown peak swelling of your wrap. It makes it harder and a lot more uncomfortable to swallow. It's totally normal. Hang in there...it gets better, and once it passes, you're on the way to healing.

PPIs protect the stomach/healing wrap from acid. There are many surgeons who don't want their patients experiencing PPI rebound during their recovery. Also, during recovery the stomach may already have some inflammation due to the surgery. In addition, with swelling, the wrap may become misshapen and allow some errant reflux through. Unless you have some sensitivity to PPIs, it makes all kinds of sense to continue for a couple of months longer, to give your wrap/stomach time to heal and adjust.

Hope you had fun today!

Happy healing,
Denise
PS--did you ever consider changing the name of this thread to "My Nissen Fundoplication Recovery Journal" maybe with the date you had your surgery? Just a thought!

Hi Debra,
Swelling of the wrap is totally normal, and causes all kinds of pain and difficulty swallowing. I remember those feelings well. I'd have discomfort just swallowing saliva! Once the swelling goes down your swallowing will be better and you'll have less discomfort at the wrap site.

It's normal to have pain like you're describing when you overdo it, and sometimes just because you had major surgery You will have discomforts. Overdoing it just makes it worse. Take it easy and you'll start feeling better.

If you're not sure how to change your thread title, just let me know what you want to call it, and I'll change it for you. Have a great day!

Happy healing!
Denise

Hi Debra,

First, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Peak swelling starts on or about Day 14, so Day 17 is within the peak swelling window. As always, it is always good to call your surgeon if your pain is very bad. He may want to change your pain medication (are you still taking it?) or have you in to be checked out.

While swelling discomfort and difficulty swallowing is normal and to be expected, you know your body best. The surgeon gets paid the big bucks to take care of you post-op, so give them a holler!

It makes sense that your bloating is worse when your wrap is more swollen. It's not allowing any gas/air to escape via the esophagus, so it's painfully trapped in your stomach until it finds its way to the escape hatch at the back door!

Boost is a milkshake-like, sweetened drink, right? I don't think it is a good choice if you're getting dumping. Here's are a couple links to an anti-dumping diet you might try. At least it will give you some ideas!
gicare.com/diets/anti-dumping-post-gastrectomy-diet/

/uvahealth.com/services/digestive-health/images-and-docs/dumping-syndrome.pdf

Hang in there. You're in the midst of the toughest part of your recovery. It's a recovery process that takes six months for most of the healing and a year for the rest. Many of the worst symptoms resolve somewhere around the three month mark, so there's a light at the end of the tunnel!

It gets better, promise!
Happy Healing,
Denise
PS--I changed your thread title. If you click the little pencil icon at the top right of your first post in the thread, you can add your background information right at the top of your first post, and make any edits you'd like.
Any more questions, just ask!

Hi Deb,

You're not a whiner! Your surgical office works for YOU, so call tomorrow. I can sense your concern, and I don't blame you for feeling that way. You've had major surgery, and need to follow up on anything that is worrying to you.

You may be getting burps from your esophagus, rather than your stomach. If air and food are getting stuck at the wrap site, you can get something I think is called supra gastric belching, which is confined to the esophagus.

Hopefully you will feel better tomorrow.
Hang in there!
Denise

hi Deb,

I have been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing today? I hope you are feeling better. What did your surgeon/office say about those symptoms?

Take care,
Denise

Hi Deb,

Don't let your surgeon's office put you off. You are just as important as Any patient he has treated. If you are in the type of pain you described, you need to talk to a medical professional in his office. Does he have a nurse practitioner or PA? You described a pain that needs to be discussed before Thursday.

Also you need to continue to take in fluids at least. I know how it feels to have painful swallowing during recovery, but you don't want to get dehydrated.

When I was in recovery, I used to say that I had a "potpourri of poo", because the consistency and color changed so often. Of course black, tarry stool is a no-no, but all others are fair game! Your eating is far from typical, and your BM's will be as well.

Call that surgeon's office back! He said you were released as long as you didn't have a problem. Well, you have a problem. Insist on talking to someone. You shouldn't have to wait until Thursday. You're not asking to be seen, just to talk to someone.

Let me know what happens.
Hang in there!
Denise