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Reflux post Nissen fundoplication. POD #5

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Posted 9/24/2014 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
My 80 yr old mom had Niessan fundoplication 5 days ago. She had severe reflux into her throat, nose, ears for 9 months that did not respond to any reflux meds.

Post surgery, she had about a day of relief and then the reflux started again. Not the same volume but a good bit. Through the night, preventing sleep, which has been the main issue. :(

Her surgeon told her that she could not be having reflux and to just give it time.

She is on Reglan postop.

(She is on liquid diet and has pain anytime she drinks. She seems to manage it well though with just walking...she doesn't like taking pain meds.)

Any advice?

Reba

Post Edited (rebaisme) : 9/24/2014 4:57:50 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/24/2014 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hello rebaisme,

Post-Op day 5 I can pretty much guarantee she isn't feeling reflux. What she's feeling at this point is pain and discomfort from the surgery in her esophagus The only way for the esophagus to communicate discomfort is pain that feels like reflux. At this stage in her recovery, there is far too much swelling (which will only get worse in the coming week) for any acid to reflux past the area of the wrap.

She needs to stay on her pain meds and start getting some activity in. Short walks to start as this will help get her energy up and reduce the swelling. Luke warm liquids will help soothe the area as well. Nothing cold, nothing sharp, making sure to stick to the full liquid diet.

Hope she's on the mend soon! Ask as many questions as you'd like!

-TonyG-
Posted 9/25/2014 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
I had Nissan Hiatal Hernia surgery July 2012. My surgery was really rough, but I was determined to heal. I followed all directions. For 5 months I was like a new person. Then that is when the trouble started. I get nauseated and get dry heaves that feel like I am turning wrong side out. I have bouts of IBS, for a week plus I do not get far from the bathroom, then I am bound tight as a drum. I get really hungry, but will only be able to eat a few bites. Some foods will not go down, roast beef is a thing of my past, but popcorn doesn't hurt me. I lost a lot of weight, and now have gained up more then prior to surgery. I know it is because I do not feel like getting out to walk. I have horrible pain across my midriff, and have a big hump there, also. My stomach protrudes. I had to get rid of all my smaller clothes. I can be feeling fine, and suddenly very sick at my stomach. I really want to feel better. Any suggestions? Good News....I hardly ever have heart burn, but do have Barrats Esophagus from the GERD. Bev.
Posted 9/25/2014 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for replies.

Tony, she is having reflux. It's not just sensation...it is actual reflux that she spits into tissue...just like she did for the 9 months prior to surgery.
Her surgeon had the same response as you did when she told him that she was having post-op reflux: that she couldn't be having it since he had done a mechanical fix.

Yet, she is. shakehead

The concern is whether it was gastric reflux all along. She had all the tests to determine valve incompetence and GI reflux was demonstrated on xray, endoscopy, manometry, etc. But this continued reflux is quite concerning and I'm wondering if anyone else had same experience and if it resolved on it's own post-op.
This is quite a difficult surgery to go through, especially when you are almost 80 yrs old, and if you don't get desired results...really bad.

Bev, so sorry for the difficulties you are experiencing. Hope your gastro and surgeon have some good options for you.

Thank you.
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