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Giant Laparoscopic PEH with Mesh Surgery - Diet and Recovery ???s

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 4/16/2016 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
I am having surgery for a Giant Laparoscopic Paraesophageal Hernia repair with Mesh and Gastropoxy on May 6th... I will be 58. My situation is... My surgeon has not given me a post surgery diet or any idea of what my life will be like... I have seen a lot of info on this site... so now I ask you all...

I have had all the tests, 24 hr PH, ALL... 1/3 of my stomach is in my chest cavity, I have SEVERE acid reflux to the point that I am on maxium meds for that, and still my esophagus and stomach and throat have acid burns. Right now I can eat only a few bites of food - perhaps a 1/4 -1/2 cup at a time and absolutely nothing spicy, greasy, tomato, citrus, difficult to digest, etc. etc. etc...

My husband will take a few days off work when I have surgery, but will go back to traveling for his job about 5 days post surgery... I do have other support family members but no one who will be staying with me. Will that be ok?

What will my diet be as I begin my recovery? How long until I can go back to work and drive? I have a relatively seditary job. What will my limitations be? Any advice?

OH!! also ALL pain meds make me sick to the stomach.... Any suggestions or comments?

Thank you
Posted 4/17/2016 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
recovery time is inherent, to the individual. that being said. this is a tricky recovery, take it slow, and most important, early on is to stay hydrated. even though you wont feel like drinking, take lots of sips. eating is experimental, I was on a liquid diet for a month. do not overeat, stay soft, and chew, chew, chew. don't leave the hospital, with out a prescription for anti nausea medicine, and fill it and have it with you. I also had a very large hernia, but was fortunate, not to have any reflux related issues. try to stay positive, there will be a new normal for you, but you will get there. others will chime in, good group here. best of luck.
Posted 4/17/2016 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
My husband is retired so he was always home to help me. That being said after a few days I was able to fend for myself. I did stay home for four weeks but I could have used a couple more as I was still tired because i was still not eating much. I was still on the soft diet at four weeks. I ate cottage cheese, smoothies, cream soups, baby food and cream of wheat. The UPMC diet after fundoplication is a good reference for what you should eat. As aero says you need to chew everything that's not liquid well enough that it will go down easily. I had a weight restriction of 10 pounds for 2 months which has increased now to 20 pounds for 6 more months. I was told to stay away from carbonation and alcohol. I was given liquid Tylenol for pain but only used it for a couple of days after leaving the hospital and occasionally for spasms. Pain hasn't really been an issue with me. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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