Update from Nissen Fundoplication 11-19-14

Hi Lori,

I know the thought of surgery and the recovery is not appealing - I'm facing this soon myself however just think that at the end of it all, there will be no regurgitation, no acid and you will be able to lie flat and get your life back.

I really hope that all goes well for you, do keep us informed of your progress, wishing you a speedy recovery !

Pink

Good luck with your surgery. I pray that yours goes as well as mine did 20 months ago. We had similar problems--long term hiatal hernia (40+ years in my case)--and, migrating stomach. For some unexplained reason I did not have Barrett's. Therefore my post surgery recovery was fast. Once the surgical wounds healed, I was able to return to a normal life. I now occasionally monitor the forum and hope to see your progress reports.

I am on the other side now! 4 days post surgery!

I ended up with a full wrap, up until the pre op appointment on Tuesday afternoon, I had no idea what was planned.

Surgery took about two hours and surgeon said he was very happy with the way things went. I was scared to death when they wheeled me into the OR... I realized this is not a simple little procedure. They chose to use 100% intravenous sedation instead of any gas due to me having a history of nausea after anesthesia. When I woke up I was in excruciating pain which they promptly took care of. By the time I was settled enough and in my room it was about 6pm. Catheter stayed in until early the next morning, and they began offering juice which I could not tolerate - the nausea was overwhelming. I battled the nausea all day Thursday (20th) but somehow managed to take my first assisted walk...more like a shuffle around the nurses station. I did have a chest X-ray and a contrast swallow, which showed that all was good. I walked a couple more times that evening and finally crashed in bed.

Friday morning I wasn't doing all that much better. Had another chest X-ray and another bladder scan. I could not keep my eyes opened and kept dozing off. Surgeon came in and pretty much said get up and stay up. He threatened another night in hospital so I took his advice and I walked and walked and walked. He came back at noon and I told him I wanted to go home. They said ok, let's do it. By 1pm discharge papers were signed and by 1:30 husband loaded me in car. We had a 2.5 hour drive home, and just my luck, a blinding snow storm was waiting for us. Got home safely, thank God! I went to bed about 8 got up at 1:30 for more pain meds and crashed again.

Saturday I basically sat with my feet up and dozed a bit, and had a solid two hour nap in bed. I did walk on our treadmill for 1 mile at 1.7 mph.
I consumed a bottle of ensure clear and part of a regular ensure bottle. Gatorade in between. Nausea has abated but I am taking a nausea drug every 4-5 hours.

Today I got up and had a warm cup of cammomile (sp?) tea and more ensure. Had my second shower which was wonderful. Steri strips still in place. Took a 2 mile treadmill walk today. Watched some football - go Seahawks- and had another hour nap.

I don't feel hungry. I started to have some pain right under my rib cage on the right side. And a bit of pain around my right clavicle. I am happy to report that I am able to burp, and I'm passing quite a bit of gas- never thought I would ever"brag" about that!

I am ever so thankful that this is behind me, and that I have a loving supportive husband who is taking good care of me!

Thanks for the well wishes!

Lori