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Just had fundoplication and hernia repair! Help!!

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Posted 6/9/2015 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
I just had the surgery yesterday morning (6/8/2015), and of course I'm miserable!! What's the "most comfortable" way to lay down? Propped up? On right ir left side? I have a 100 degree fever and from what I can tell I shouldn't worry unless it gets to like 101.5? I'm just wondering how long until I start feeling better..enough to walk around not hunched over in pain, or until the shoulder pain goes away! I am also thin....5'4" and 120 pounds...so this new "weight" seems like I'm carrying my 3 year old!!

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Gina
Posted 6/10/2015 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Gina
I had the surgery 4 years ago last April 1. I was in the hospital 3 days, when I got home, I slept in the recliner for about 4-5 days until I was comfortable laying down. (I was 62 at the time) You should feel well enough to walk around without bending after several days to a week. The wrap will continue to swell for about 14 days. after that everything should start settling down. Make no mistake that you have a long recovery coming at you. If you read any of the posts here you should have seen that this is not a quick recovery to go through. But I can tell you that after 4 years, I would do it all over again for the relief I have had from the life I had before the surgery. The best advise I ever received was from the people here at the forum. Relax into your recovery. Let your body tell you when you are ready to move forward in your recovery. and last but not least, when you begin to eat solid food again, CHEW CHEW CHEW.. always. It may be a pain to move slowly through your recovery, but you will be much better off if you do.
Welcome to the Wrapped Club and please, stay with the forum and ask all the questions you want to. It doesn't matter what direction your questions come from, someone here will be happy to try to answer you and ease your mind about what is normal or how long it might take..

Look for the rainbows.. smurf tongue turn turn tongue smurf
Sandi
Posted 6/10/2015 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
Gina:

It sounds crazy, but walking is the best way to relieve the gas pain in your shoulder. Did your surgeon send you home with medication to manage the pain? It's important to take it on a regular schedule and not let the pain get out of control. Just relax and realize that it's going to take a while until you start feeling a lot better. Unfortunately, most surgeons don't prepare you for how your body will react post-surgery.

Good luck in your recovery,

Sharon
Posted 6/10/2015 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you ladies!! Sandi, it's great to hear that after it all, you would do it over again! I'm 40 years old and very active, so this is difficult to stay in one place despite the pain. My doctor sent me home a few hours after the surgery and I was all freaked out because it was hard to breathe and I thought I would stop breathing at night and no one would know! But that ateast got better the second night and then last night. I've had a fever between 100-101.5 the last two days. When do I worry about that? My vision is also blurry. Anyone experience that?

Did you notice any decrease in cardiovascular levels while exercising when you were healed?

Thanks so much!!

Gina
Posted 6/10/2015 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, and as far as walking, when did you feel you could do that? I'm so bloated and in so much pain I can't even stand up straight. 😆
Posted 6/10/2015 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Gina:

I started walking in the hospital, right after surgery - I stayed overnight (I'm 53). I was able to get out of bed to use the bathroom, unassisted, and started walking shortly after. I didn't feel the greatest, but I knew that it was important for me to get up and moving around. As far as the fever and the blurry vision, that's something that you should phone your surgeon's office about. Those are two things that I never experienced. I have not noticed any difference in my heart levels while exercising. Are you taking anything for the pain? Honestly, I think I took painkillers for the first two days and then stopped. I was not in a lot of pain and I had the surgery via robotics, which I think may be the reason why I didn't experience the gas pain that a lot of people have.

Sharon
Posted 6/10/2015 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Sharon,

I had the surgery robotically too. But I'm in a world of pain! It's day 3 and I'm still on painkillers regularly. My stomach is REALLY bloated. Very uncomfortable.

Gina
Posted 6/10/2015 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Gina,
There was enough pain immediately after surgery for pain meds. I think I took something for the first three or four days and then stopped. The shoulder pain will continue but decrease over time. I also had blurry vision at first. I'm an avid reader and thought I'd spend the first few days in bed reading but it took me close to two weeks before my vision settled and my foggy brain cleared enough for me to start reading. I walked a little bit every day and it really did help decrease the pain when I started to feel like my body was moving again. I don't know who told you not to worry about a fever until it hits 101.5. It sounds like you've had an elevated temp for over a day now. That should warrant a call to the doctor to check on.It's probably just from the distress you're experiencing but better to make a call than to worry alone at home. You're through the worst of it. Rest as best you can. You should be feeling better soon.
Peg
Posted 6/10/2015 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Peg! I did talk to the nurse when scheduling my appointment to get my staples out about the fever. And she just said to watch it for a couple more days. Yes I've had a fever since I left the hospital on Monday.

Now I have sone blood when I pee. But I have an IUD so I never get a period, but I just spot every so often. So now I don't know if that's just the monthly stuff or if it's related to the surgery. She said just to watch that too. So I guess I'm just watching...

Gina
Posted 6/10/2015 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Also, I've gained about 10 pounds since the day before I went into the hospital and when I got home. I'm assuming that's from the gas, since I've probably managed to eat only a few hundred calories each day since Sunday! How long before that goes away?

Thanks!

Gina
Posted 6/11/2015 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
Gina:

Sorry you are still feeling so poorly. Keep taking the painkillers on a regular basis, and they may be what's causing your blurred vision - but that will subside. Everyone's recovery is different, I didn't gain any weight after surgery but I can't imagine that gas would cause an extra 10 pounds, and I don't have any suggestions for that. I didn't have staples to remove, just little steri-strips that eventually fell off in the shower. I know it's hard, but you need to be patient, your recovery won't happen overnight. You are so early into your recovery, just follow the dietary guidelines that your surgeon provided to you. Your appetite will improve over time and so will your calorie intake.

Sharon
Posted 6/11/2015 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sharon!

I know I'm expecting too much too soon. I'm just a normally active person. I just ran a half marathon a couple weeks ago and workout almost every day. So not being able to barely move and breathe is killing me alone, much less the pain and discomfort after drinking water or drinking a few sips of smoothie or a few bites of yogurt. Then I've been reading all these horror stories online about symptoms after this surgery never going away. Would you say you are back to normal? How long before you were comfortable again?

Thank you!!

Gina
Posted 6/11/2015 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Gina:

I was fortunate to be able to really take my time with recovery. My employer gave me unlimited paid time off after my surgery - I was off 2 months. I really didn't start feeling like myself until about 6 months out, because your whole digestive system has to adjust. I didn't have swallowing issues, fortunately, I was able to swallow pills with no problems. I made sure to take anti-gas medication, and it helped. I'm now over a year post-surgery and am feeling great. I can suggest that when you start eating a more regular diet, that you drink the majority of your liquids before or after you meal and just take small sips while you are eating to prevent "dumping". I did a lot of smoothies with protein powder and tried to avoid anything with too much sugar. I ate a lot of cream of wheat early on and jello. You can put almost anything into a blender, my surgeon suggested no caeffine, chocolate, carbonation and certain fruits and vegetables. I really tried to eat many small meals (snacks), every day. Oh, and make sure you have your doctor give you an anti-nausea prescription. One thing I'm not able to do is vomit and the Zofran prescription can come in handy.

Sharon
Posted 6/11/2015 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sharon!! It's at least encouraging that you did return to normal! It's clearly a long recovery and I'll just have to be patient. I can get a couple weeks off work, then I can also work from home, so I'll be taking full advantage of that as needed! What anti-gas medicine did you take? Prescription or over the counter? I'll just be happy to lose the pain and bloating! The small meals and restrictions there I could deal with, although I can see it being hard! I'm lucky too in that I have no trouble swallowing pills. I guess I should be thankful for that, with all the awful stories I've read!!

Gina
Posted 6/11/2015 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
I just took over-the-counter, simethicone. It's like a generic Gas-X and it really helped me become a lot more comfortable. It's great that you can work from home, you'll be surprised how exhausted from surgery that you are.

Sharon
Posted 6/11/2015 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Sharon,

I'll try some of that. I remember giving the liquid drops to my daughter when she was a baby to help with gas.

Yes, working from home will be a huge blessing!! I am exhausted. I just got out of bed today at 11am! And it's not like I've done anything during the day either. 😀

Gina
Posted 6/11/2015 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hello
I had surgery December 5 2011 and I just went back and read some of my posts. A third of my stomach was in my diaphragm and that had to be repaired also and then the wrap. I did not do well physically or mentally and my posts show that. I took me over a year to get to eat food and even then I did not do well I lived on BOOST liquid Boost. But in time , it will all work out and be strong , easy for me to say now.

I slept elevated and I still do with my head and feet elevated. I have a BOB O Matic Power BED and the best thing I ever bought. For a long time I did not sleep well but now I sleep like a baby.

So what I am try to say to anyone who has just had surgery , do not push your self. Eat a tiny bit and see how it feels and then eat a little more. Small small meals all day if you must. And when you feel up to it walk but do not over do it. I had it bad really bad , to the point my mind went too. But everyone is different.

After the second year not what happened or how but, I snapped out of it and started to be my old self ... I am active 68 years old and I eat anything I want. I had my first prime rib and ate it slow and careful but I only did it
this year 2015... that was the last food I had not tried and no problem. It is a life changing surgery and no one knows how you feel, unless they also have gone through the same surgery.

Do not give up hope. Everyday a tiny bit you will get better and others may get better sooner. But you will get through this I know , I did it ! Believe me I never thought I would. But I did ..

God Bless Jean from Manchester NH

Post Edited (ManchesterNH) : 6/11/2015 4:23:23 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/11/2015 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jean!

That is both encouraging and disheartening. Years??? I cannot imagine. How do you even weigh anything?? This sounds agonizing. I wish I would have known all this before the surgery. I probably wouldn't have had it. My doctor never once eluded that it could be this bad. Not. Once. Makes me angry.

Thanks!

Gina
Posted 6/11/2015 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Also, I've read no chocolate or chocolate flavoringd, and I wondered why? I used to drink Shakeology (vegan chocolate) protein shakes and figured they'd be perfect now on the liquid/soft diet. But now I'm not sure??

Thanks!!

Gina
Posted 6/12/2015 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Well, Gina - As far as taking time to heal; we have NO CHOICE! Mother Nature is in charge here, and she will be obeyed!

Manchester and I are in the same boat, age-wise. You are a young'un, yes? So you will probably heal more quickly. Not to panic.... it will happen. You will notice changes when they happen, for sure!

My incisions have finally gotten to the point where I can wear regular clothes with no worry. It is Week 14 for me. The bloating, which I know is devilling you, has pretty much receded for me. Your time-line could well be several weeks earlier, due to our age difference. So you see; it will happen!

Be good to yourself, and we are all here to encourage you; young and old!

Best, Fresh Greens (Ingrid)

PS If you read my postings you will see what my time-line has been. Like I mentioned, you will probably heal more quickly! xxx
Posted 6/12/2015 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ingrid!!

You are all so wonderful and I appreciate your encouraging words and hearing your stories! I turned 40 a month ago, so kind of middle of the road, age-wise. ;-).

I know it will happen. Patience is definitely a virtue! My oldest daughter graduates kindergarten tomorrow and I will be there no matter what!!!

Thanks!

Gina
Posted 6/12/2015 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Gina - You know 40 is the new 25! Belated happy birthday; you gave yourself the gift of improving health. What a wonderful thing you have done for yourself and your family! (My bd is in April, surgery in March, so I looked at it the way I just mentioned.)

How fun to be attending a Kindergarten graduation! I remember some of those.... so exciting for the Little Ones! Have fun, then go home and get off your feet. Take a nice rest until Liquids time....

Best, Ingrid
Posted 6/12/2015 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Gina:

My doctor said absolutely no chocolate, and I'm not sure why, and also no caffeine. I'm not sure if the caffeine in chocolate is the reason or not. I'd avoid it and have another flavor.

Sharon
Posted 6/12/2015 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
I remember sleeping in a recliner for almost 2 weeks. hope you feel better soon.
Posted 6/12/2015 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all! Yeah, before the surgery I'd agree 40 is the new 25! Now I feel like much older. Ha! I know it will change and I just need to work through it and be patient.

Thanks everyone!
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