Yes, Readingclaygirl - go slowly and don't get distracted when you drink or eat. Things are bound to be sore for a while; its all part of what your body has been through. I take it you're home again?...
MattJC - JanPeg just gave you some wonderful advice. I surely hope you can find someone to share the burden of Mom's every-day needs. I too was kinda in your shoes a number of years ago, and it's...
Hi, Melissuh - I just got home 1 1/2 hrs ago from my fourth Endoscopy this year. My throat isn't even sore, just a little hoarse. Due to the short-term relaxer, I'm supposed to eat light, no driving...
Silent World: I can recommend a very good Thoracic Surgeon in central Florida (USA) He practices at Celebrations Hospital in Orlando. You can 'google' it... Dr. Farid Gharagozloo is head of the...
Fresh Greens here, with an update. I am now 8 months post-op Giant Para-Esophogeal Hernia and Belsey-MarkIV Fundoplication. Done with assistance of da Vinci robot system. First off, it has taken me...
Dear Lawchick - I've been following your journey sporadically. I feel so badly for you that you haven't found the right doctors yet. I'm sure they are out there somewhere. What you said about Drs....
Pat - Here's some of my story. I am happy to be celebrating 6 months post-op. My surgery was March 9, 2015. I was 66 (67 now). Female. My Thoracic Surgeon performed a Robotic-Assisted Giant Hiatal...
Billy - How are you getting on? Better, worse, the same? Gotten any help? Fresh Greens...
Kendrick1 - Forgo the heavy lifting, if possible. Depending on what sort of P. Hernia you have, it could make things from worse to life-threatening! This is what my Surgeon related to me on my first...
Hi, Paula - I'm glad to see you are still moving forward towards your goal of health resolution. It's been a while; what testing is coming up next for you? The manometry sounds challenging. I didn't...
Billy, have you been checked for a hernia? I was a stock clerk, lifting and moving wine and liquor cases 5 days a week. I think that's where my hernia started; heavy lifting. I was weighing around...
Bless you, TonyG, for being such a patient person! I really appreciate that in your posts! Fresh Greens...
Linda Sue - I was advised to not put anything on the incisions. Just use soap when you shower, rinse well, and pat dry. Once they have had more healing time, you can use some emolient, but you should...
Hi, P&H - I cued on what you mentioned about bread difficulties. And then Denise posted what I was thinking! Toasting bread lightly seems to make it less 'sticky' and therefore easier to swallow. If...
Gee, jennie - If you're going to barf, just let it rip! I always feel better afterwards, and people in the medical profession are accustomed to dealing with nervous, barfy people. Since I've had...
Hey Linda Sue! Sounds like you are doing really well! Yay! Let the healing continue.......
Hi, Paula - I see you are still chugging along down the NHS path. I need to google that system, so I can understand why on earth things are moving so very slowly! I guess the saying 'whatever doesn't...
Difficult foods for me were: pasta, rice, any raw vegetable except tomato, anything chewy, anything acidic like tomato-y sauces, lemon juice in dressings, viniagrettes, salad-type dishes. Probably...
Hey, Gina - How are you getting along? Healing well, I hope. Let us know when you feel up to it, OK? Thinking of you! Fresh Greens (Ingrid)...
Hi, Will_L - You may be an air-swallower, like me. So here are some suggestions that might cut down on your burping. NO straws, chewing gum, carbonated beverages. (Beer is really bad for burping)...
Feeling a bit better today. Woke up scared yesterday! The fresh fruit was problematic, I'm thinking; even after 15 weeks. Almost can't chew them enough. Tasty though... My surgeon said I could eat...
In Week 15 of recovery now. Things have been going pretty well, until this morning. I awoke with pain in my neck and left shoulder. And a sharp feeling like rocks in the bottom of esophogus and top...
Geez, Deaner - That sounds miserable! My stomach was up to the carina, and no place for my food to go.... with regular placement of my stomach, things are happy again. Eating smaller, now. No...
Hi, Kiwi - You surely do have a lot to look forward to! Spewing's not fun! (A regular habit I used to have....) Are you just having the Floppy improvement? Or other work also? Let us know what is...
Rebek - have you studied about what causes and/or aggravates hiatal hernia? You can get some clues about keeping it from getting worse. I wish I had done this my self. It would have helped a lot! As...
Hi, Teapot - How are things going for you now? You are about 9 weeks out from surgery? How is your energy throughout the day? This has been a stumbling block for me.... Sleeping ok? Eating issues?...
Oh! Ouch! The asthma is surely affected by aspirating anything liquid including from your tum. Don't have any post-surgical reflux experience, but I feel for you, Elke! I'm sure lots of folk on this...
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,...
Linda Sue - How is that not smoking going for you? I smoked from age 13 to age 22. Never really got into it, like you did. But I have suffered from other, far more expensive, addictions in my life to...
Oh, Paula, sweetie.... I am so sorry you are in such turmoil. Sucks, doesn't it!? You didn't like seeing the swallow pictures? I found them interesting. GP's don't know everything.... that's why...
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...
Hi, Paula - Did they let you see the pictures of your stomach after the swallow? (You should always ask to see; it will help you understand your inner workings) It shows how your stomach is...
Hi, Bella01 - For tending to GERD - If I've had a heavy meal and/or a bit much cocktails, I have found the GERD hits me about 4 or more hours after going to bed. I sit up on the head-board with a...
I'm at week 14 now, and things seem to be really improving! My back soreness continues, but it seems less painful. A lie-down for an hour or so most afternoons helps me get through the evening with a...
Hey, Lawchick - The first few times I went to a restaurant by my self. I was SO nervous! It was about 7 weeks after surgery. I had a hamburger. I ate extrememly slowly, and paid attention to my...
Fran - I was a single parent, too. You have a lot on your mind right now; I can really relate to that. What kind of work do you do? Is it physical, or 'desk' work? If it's physical, that will make...
Elke - So glad to hear you are doing well!...
Oh, my! Linda Sue, you ARE brave! Good luck with all that raw stuff after surgery, even tho' it is pulverised!...
Feyraven - I always talk to myself. Get some of the best answers that way! I, too, don't remember a time when there wasn't some sort of conversation going on up there. But I don't verbalize unless...
Hey, Peg - My hair is getting better; I noticed it at Week 12. So you might have a little wait yet... Something to look forward to! I had anemia too; my Surgeon said I had an ulceration on the...
My sore old back starts making itself felt within an hour of getting up in the morning. Still eating carefully, and trying to cut back on high-calorie stuff. I've weighed the same every Sunday for 5...
I'm worried for you all when the rain stops, the sun comes out, the water hasn't drained away yet due to too darn much. It's time to get hot in your area, Houston. So what has the City and outlying...
Good for you, Linda Sue! Just hang in there......
I am wondering if anyone besides me has experienced hair loss prior to Hiatal Hernia/Gerd fix? For a couple of years now, my hair has been thinning, and it seems I shed as much as our long-haired dog...
Linda Sue - Recovery from ANY addiction takes time, and yes, is hellish! Painful, unpleasant, scary..... And it takes time. Right now the 'Devil' is trying to get you to smoke again. Don't give in!...
Well, the main source of daily aggravation is out of state for a few days; a big breather for me! Its so strange to love someone and yet they can aggravate you to tears..... Didn't get into the pool;...
Dencha - You are a Wise Woman! So glad you are a Moderator, to help us with our 'new' lives. I have been a Salad Monster for many years, so it has been tough for me to realize that I can't just stuff...
Hello - Week 12 finds me patiently slugging along on the Recovery Trail. Still having good days and not-so days. One positive thing; I find the farting seems to be slowing down although not stopped....
Hi - reason I mention Romaine lettuce; have come across info that indicates the Iceberg lettuce (found in most restaurants) is for some reason, harder to chew and swallow when first returning to...
Hi, Dorothy - What wonderful news! See, I told you the answers were lurking; and lo and behold, you have a willing and able Surgeon now. Putting things to right, as they should be sounds like an...