Partial Fundoplication with Scleroderma Surgery Progress

I had my partial fundoplication surgery with hiatal hernia fix on October 11th and it was a success, now for the recovery progress:

Day 1: I feel like this was the easiest day because I was coming out of anesthesia and was in the least amount of pain. My first day I had chicken broth, apple tea and Italian ice, which all went down without issue.

Day 2: My stomach was a little sore today and they gave me a lot of meds to try and go number two, it didn't work. I had some cream of wheat for breakfast and was so bloated they had to give me a gas x. I walked laps around the hospital and we discovered I had crepitus. If you don't know what that is; it's when air gets trapped under your skin and feels like rice krispies are popping under your skin, it was freaky and caused minor pain. I had bone broth for dinner since I wasn't hungry from all the bloating.

Day 3: I decided to go with cream of wheat and jello for breakfast and that was tolerated much better. My crepitus was still there but going away. I had tomato soup for lunch and some bone broth when I got home at 5pm. Yes, I got to go home!!! My doctor is calling me Monday to set up my follow up appointment. I was prescribed oxycodone for pain and my pharmacy would only let me get a weeks worth due to the opioid epidemic. I will have to figure out how long this pain will really last and ask my doctor when she calls Monday to figure it out.

Day 4: I woke up in a lot of pain around my stomach area today, overall just pain everywhere. I feel this could be the worst day yet, only because I am not at the hospital getting morphine like I was. The pain meds wore off over night while I was sleeping. However, I did wake up at 1am and took more. I ate cream of rice for breakfast with naked juice, and tried one bite of scrambled eggs. I found I get full rather quickly. Today isn't quite over yet but I wanted to write this down before I forget what I've been doing, pain meds can have that effect on you. Lastly, still no number 2......

I will keep this as a journal for others going through the same thing, I couldn't find any info with someone who has scleroderma and needed this surgery.

Post Edited (jesslg) : 10/14/2018 8:05:37 AM (GMT-6)

The rest of day four ended up really bad for me, loads of gas and I couldn't eat at all. I have been taking senna, colace and other laxatives and NOTHING. I am getting nervous about that too.

As far as scleroderma, that is the reason I couldn't get a full wrap, otherwise, food wouldn't be able to go down at all.

I had eggs this morning with a little bit of apple sauce and a naked green machine juice. about mid way with my eggs, I felt it got stuck so I stopped eating and had a little more juice, I am feeling better now.

When I wake up in the morning, I seem to feel worse - it must be because I didn't have pain meds over night. I will keep posting my progress in this thread so others can read along. Thanks for reading

Be very careful with gas producing vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower.

You are going to have gas/bloating after the surgery regardless, I just wouldn't add to it be eating gas producing foods. Gas and bloating is something you are going to have to deal with, for the most part. Since you are no longer able to belch the same as before the surgery, there is only one way for the gas to escape. I strongly suggest you try taking some anti-gas medication containing simethicone. Walking as much as possible, also helps.

Sharon

Great News!

Unfortunately, most posts that you see are from people with negative stories. Most people don't take the time to give positive updates.

I didn't need pain meds after surgery, but they do cause constipation.

I would check with your surgeon on discontinuing your Nexium, as it's usually better to wean off of it at a slow pace.

Sharon

Honestly, I didn't experience a lot of pain. I had the normal gas/bloating pain, but that was about it. Make sure you make a list of questions before your appointment tomorrow - good luck!

Sharon

I have noticed I am having a hard time eating foods or taking pills in the morning vs at night. This morning I took a couple of pills with a lot of water and I vomited the water and one of the pills up in my sink. I couldn't control this or stop it.

At night I can tolerate foods much better but I can still feel it going down and can't eat that much. I have noticed I can only eat half of what I once used to be able to eat. Do you ever get your full appetite back with time?

I have lost 7 lbs since I had my surgery on 10/11.

Thanks, Sharon.

I got the green light to have some alcohol, so I tried a glass of red wine, BIG MISTAKE! I felt so bloated after I couldn't eat for the rest of the day/night. I think I will hold off on that for a while.

I have also tried chicken and as long as I chew it really well, I can tolerate it. That is progress.

I hope VolcanoMom will be doing well today, I saw her surgery is today.

It could be rebound from the Nexium, did you wean off of the medication or just quit cold turkey? I think it's more likely that you body is telling you to take it easy on the advancement of your diet. Even though your surgeon told you that it's OK, you may want to go back to a soft diet and skip the alcohol for a while. It's only a benefit to you to take it slow, and you should be prepared to experience small setbacks along the way.

Sharon

I am one month and a little over a week in with my surgery and I am doing amazingly well. I can't believe the difference!

I am taking one zantac per day and I am still off my nexium. I can eat basically whatever I want, just slowly. The only thing I haven't tried is steak and sushi. I imagine I will have to cut sushi in half and just eat my steak slowly. I had pork tenderloin last night with no issues.

I've also had wine with no bloat - just in time for Thanksgiving.