Posted 12/6/2007 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Bileman: Today is my 7th week anniversary post nissen hiatal hernia repair. I had lots of nausea for close to 4 weeks and my surgeon didn't want me to vomit or retch because it can undo the wrap. What you need to do is get a prescription for phenergan or promethazine (which is generic and what I used) 12.5 mg every 4-6 hours, I took this religiously for about 4 weeks everyday. It really helped alot and thank God I haven't had to vomit but nausea, yes I had lots of it. As far as burping goes, I can burp but not a big burp like the good old days. My burps are tiny and really only when I drink but I guess it is better than nothing. Five days post op, you should still be on a liquid diet. Were you able to vomit when you were with the heaves? The most important thing is not to try and hurry and eat solid food yet, it will take time and you will have to transition from a liquid diet to a soft diet, i.e., pudding, yogurt, smoothies, runny egg, oatmeal, cream of wheat, and ensure. I think it took me about 2 1/2 weeks until I was able to eat more solid food but I had to be very careful and take tiny small bites and chew and chew and definately no meat or bread. In fact, eating was very stressful but now at 7 weeks it has gotten better. Also, do not eat until you are full because (this happened to me 3 times), it will be very painful and you don't know whether to burp, poop, vomit, or whatever and it feels terrible and the best thing to do is just walk and wait it out until it subsides. I still have to watch not to ever eat even at 7 weeks post op. I mentioned this to my surgeon and he said it would get better with time because eventually the stomach will stretch out some. Good luck...Barbara......