Recovery From Nissen Fundoplication Surgery

Hi, I am recovering from the Nissen Fundoplication Surgery. Here is a little information about me. I am in my early 50's. I am a little over 6' and I weigh about 215lbs. I consider myself to be in good health. I have battled with Acid Reflux for a very long time and went through some periods of break through pain that may have been caused by some stress in my life that may have physically broke through the meds. I also went through many medications and some of those the doctors doubled the dosages. I had an Endoscopy. I also had a couple of tests to test the strength and swallowing patterns of my esophagus. I also had the 24 hour acid monitoring test. Then I had the Barium X-ray. So I believe the doctors did all the tests that were needed. I recently went online, prior to the surgery, to see what others had to say about the surgery and I actually got scared about what I read. I admit that was probably the worst thing I could have done that was reading the posts. I even questioned myself as to wether or not I should have the surgery, but I am glad I went ahead with it. Additionally I did alot of research on the surgery and complications and I also looked up on the doctor who would do the surgery. So I decided once I made it through the surgery I would try to be helpful to others. In reading past posts I honestly did not know much about the people posting for example their general health. My desire is to be helpful to others and encourage them through the process. So I hope you will find my experiences helpful to you. I also understand people recover differently than others. This was my first major surgery.

Okay we are in day 2. I was being overoptimistic as to when I could go home. I really wanted to go home the day after, but that did not work for me. Why because the IV meds were the only thing that that took care of the pain. the Oral meds helped I am sure, but in themselves they could not manage my pain. So I let my doc know I was not ready to go home. He kept me for another night, but encouraged relying on the Oral meds. When I get afraid I get shaky like when you get a fever, so that for me was the onset of the spasms I had that day. I had two or three of them. They kept me from taking a good deep breath. All I could do was sit straight up and take slow deep breaths. They gave me heating pad which help me get rid of the shakes. I tried the scrambled eggs, but still had difficulty with them. So I stayed on the apple sauce, jello, and sherbert. The apple sauce went down smoother as I believe the swelling was declining. Made real efforts to walk alot to reduce the gas. I stayed up on the IV meds and took them when they were available along with the oral meds. Texting and talking with family and friends was helpful. That night I slept on my back pretty well with the heating pad on the stomach. I still was having discomfort from the gas, but not so much from the stomach or the surgical sites. When I felt the radiating pain in my shoulder it was time to get up and take a walk probably about 10 minutes. I was feeling better. Walk as much as you can. End of day 2.

Today was a better day. I would have preferred to stay another day in the hospital just in case I had a set back and did not have the IV meds to fall back on. Well the doc let me know it was time to go. He told me to continue to press on the with soft food diet with no restrictions except for the foods that were tough like fried or potato chips. He gave me no other restrictions. So I went home and found that I was happier there even though I did not have the bed like at the hospital, but I was able to make it by using pillows. Now that I was not on the nausea medicine I started getting that warm saliva in my mouth, later that evening, and I thought here we go we are going to vomit. Scary to say the least as they had me on the meds for that, but did not give me any to take home. So that is where the mistake was made. I took a Tum's which was a mistake as I was still swelled at the surgery site and guess what the gas was not going to come up easy. Then I was hit with three rounds of hick ups. The good news was well if I can survive that then I should be okay. I got over that by just taking in deep breaths and holding it and then let it out slowly. So the first day home, in the man cave, was happy one and I am sure lifted my spirits. I actually made a wise investment to buy a heating pad to put on my abdomen. That heat really had helped. I was also able to position myself, so I could sleep on my side. This really helped. I pretty much napped through the afternoon. I was feeling better. Also got my first shower, but careful to not get to hot in the shower. The doc told me to start taking off the bandages that were over the steri strips, but I left the bandages on. There were no staples or stitches. The oral meds really helped me relax and sleep. As far a the diet goes. I did not eat much. What I found was oat meal was good. I made it soupy and put in some raisins, apple sauce, olive oil, and then i added some egg yokes and cooked for another minute. The eggs this way was softer. I also put cinnamon and honey in it. It was really good. I did that a couple of times that day. Another key was to walk and do it often as there is still gas. End of day 3.

it is amazing what sleep will do for you. I am not a napper, but I found after the surgery the body can use some good rest. I laid down to watch the football game and I ended up waking up at a quarter to nine. Wow. So get the rest and who knows what kind of sleep you will get when you least expect it. It is end of day 4.

Nissen Fundoplication Surgery ---- Day 5
I am noticing that rest is the number one thing to do. Sometimes we may do more than we think we should and that causes our body to want to take a break and it will let you know. I am learning that you were given the medications, whatever they may be, for a reason, and so I am staying on the pain medication and on schedule. I was feeling a little icky if I stretched it out to long. I am able to drink more easily now, but I do not want to drink to much at one time. My stomach is not the same size as it was, but I am sure over time it will be able to handle a lot. After all I did loose one inch of it to wrap it around the esophagus. I was a huge water drinker and yes I could put away the food. In reference to the food, I probably don't need to eat as much and I definitely need to slow down and enjoy the food more. And I think that is a good benefit of the surgery. You may eat better and healthier, not that I have too. I was told of an easier way to get out of the bed. Basically roll onto you side and let you feet head to the floor then you can raise up with your elbow and arm. That is less painful. The pain I feel now is not from the stomach, but from the Laparoscopic sites. I guess that soreness will be there for a while, but it does not stop me from doing what I need to do. I am just aware of it. Food wise I still am eating my soupy oat meal that I talked about earlier. But yesterday I found that I could thoroughly enjoy a piece of Mrs. Smith Apple pie. It was good. I just made sure I had water on hand to wash down each savory bite. Then later in the day I actually made some home made french fries with salt and pepper, and cajun seasoning and topped it with a three cheese mixture. I later had some sherbet. I just need to remember to space out the food more so I don't stress the stomach. This gives me hope that I too can enjoy some Thanksgiving goodies - in moderation. So all in all things are getting better. Just listen to you body and if it says it is tired - rest or sleep you'll never know when a nap could result in a good three to six hour adventure. Enjoy it you're not working except on the nap. Have a great day. It is the end of day 5.

Thank you for writing. Always insightful to get someone else's take . I am one month out from my nissen wrap. My 5 little sites are doing well healing . I am eating sloppy foods. The past few days I have been getting what feels like acid in my mouth and my tongue is burning and getting sores on it. I called my surgeon and asked what could be going on. I have read that sometimes the esophagus is so swollen that food stays on this side of the wrap and causes trouble til it has healed and the swelling goes down more. I sure hope that is the case cause this is really painful. Hope your healing continues to go well. MGM

Nissen Fundoplication Surgery ---- Day 12. I saw my surgeon today for a two week follow-up. He is very pleased with my progress and is surprised by what I am able to eat. I've noticed I can drink more fluid as it appears the swelling is going down. I am pretty much eating what I want. I am still on the Protonics, but the doc. believes I should be able to come off of it in the next couple of weeks. I will just have to see where I am with that mentally. One benefit of the surgery is it has been helping me to eat smaller portions and to slow down and chew the food. I learned along time ago from boot camp that eating fast was the only way to get your food down in time and it is going to take time to retrain my mind that I don't need to eat a lot or even eat fast. One good thing is that listening to your body is a great barometer on how you are doing. I don't want to stuff myself to full as I believe that could cause some damage, so I am being cautious. I am still learning to slowly walk through the process of releasing stomach gas and not just belch it up. It is like I need to slow down and just walk through the process of getting the gas to come up. I am no longer afraid to sneeze, cough, or have a bout with the hick ups. I am getting over that better now. I finally removed the steri strips before I saw the doc. I went back to work today and I realized that I do have abdominal muscles and it does not take much to let you know you are pushing to hard. So I just slow it down a little and not just be throwing myself around. The five incisions are healing fine and the firmness or swelling in those areas should disappear over time. It almost seems like it takes more time for the abdominal muscles to heal than for the real reason for the surgery. Just gotta be patient with it. I do at times feel blotted, but not often. I did not realize how much the anesthetic affected by bowels. It is taking some time for them to get back in order. And there are times when that gas causes general discomfort in my abdomen as well. And who needs physical therapy when you can just get in the truck and drive. I feel just about every bump in the road and that in itself causes discomfort. I talked with the doc about today as well and he gave me some more Percoset that I can use in the evening when I am home for the night. During the day at work I was taking Ibuprofen. I was told Tylenol would be better. As the former can irritate the stomach.

Hi. I am schedules to have a nissen surgery in 2 weeks. Your thread has been really useful. I have some question which hope you can help me with...
1. How soon can you go back to active physical activity? (I.e. Gym, running, intense aerobic exercise)
2. 2. How long did it takes until you can feel as before physically and you routine goes back to normal 100%?
3. Did you lose weight? How much?

I am 36 yo, 88 kgs. Diagnosed with Short segment barrett about 2 months ago... But getting cold feet!