Exercise after nissen fundoplication??

Hi

My son had a nissens at 10, and they tried to do it via key hole (15 yrs ago he was the 7th child they were attempting this on), unfortunately, because of his chest shape this wasn't possible so he had the full open surgery.

He had every complication possible, ended up in ICU, but still managed to be causing the ward so much trouble by day 10 that I was asked to take him home.

I would say it took him another month for him to be climbing trees etc.

In your case I assume it will be key hole, I think you go home after 48hrs and have s week off work? Worst case scenario it will be 4-6 weeks?

I suspect you've already had it done by now, but heres a few tips they may not have told you.....

It can be really hard to throw up and really painful so try to avoid hot curry followed by 20 pints

Beer might give you dreadful wind that cant go up so works its way down

If you previously looked like a twiglet because you threw up so much, watch your diet!

At 25, my son is alive thanks to this operation!

Big hugs xxx

Hi

I was 57 when I had this Nissen op. It seemed perfect first time but then failed and had to have a further repair which has held but only just. I also had IBS but that seems to be more to do with a colonic polyps I had that was undiagnosed and now removed. Wind and gases are now your enemy within!

I had one of the most famous surgeons for this op, do the keyhole haitus hernia. I think I works much better in younger people and my surgeon advised that - you keep your weight down - after the op as that will help the wrap heal better. SAFFERUS - If your surgeon cannot answer your questions "GET A SECOND OPINION" from someone who can - this op not usually given to people unless they really need it - ie the PPI's stop working. Maybe you should just stay on PPI's instead if they work. It is painful and can affect people differently but definitely doctors underplay the side-effects. I could not eat so had to have it. I am surprised you have been offered it so quickly and should see the gastroenterologist at the hospital, not just the surgeon, who can explain it better.

I do have odd things make me throw up eg ice-cream which I loved! Or nuts and would avoid things like twiglets as they get stuck which is what makes me sick. It took a good six months to recover and was very painful but I had really damaged myself with drinking too many pints of lager.

Now I am okay and can eat but follow the Ayurvedic diet. I suggest anyone with this operation go to a good Ayurvedic practitioner to get their diet sorted out. I do miss the pint of lager in the Summer but that is definitely OUT although some alcohol seems to okay in moderation such as light wines, bottled beers, or Pimms with lemonade. I I could not eat curries either until I started this Ayurvedic diet which is Indian! But what makes curries so bad is all the oil and salt that most restaurants use for taste. If you use the spices are mixed properly with vegetable ghee - and - make them fresh yourself according to the recipes you can eat as much curry as you like!

Hope that helps and sympathise with anyone having this operation. For a child must be almost impossible to understand - try seeing someone at Great Ormond Street in London - get referral - as they will help.

Will provide the name of my surgeon in London who was was excellent - world leader in this particular op -but he is in London and you will need a special referral - worth it if you want the right advice. The thing is to make sure your surgeon has the right amount of experience as this major and rather tricky and difficult surgery - it is close to the heart - next to the gullet - and not far from the liver so in a very sensitive area of the body - and needs a very skilled hand. Be very fussy about the surgeon and do not believe their promises - ask for their record in this operation. After- effects vary but a good gastroenterologist.should help. Don't just have it because you have got this letter Sally104 - if PPI's work okay it may not be necessary - get more info and a surgeon who speaks English - you are entitled to 2nd opinion.

Hope you all are alright and you will get better - but may need to find complimentary diets to help - and exercise is important - not sure about Judo though! Best wishes to you all.

My son had no alternative either, his weight was so low he was classified as mal nourished. He had been unable to keep any food or drink in previously, even being tube fed.

It was difficult to assess pain with him as he was an elective mute at the time, we jusged by what he did, but he became very active very quickly (he also has Autism), but certainly he could keep food and drink in after.

In fact he couldn't be sick amd his burps were hilarious, very long winded (pardon the pun), and as if they came from a long way away.

Over the years the wrap has become less tight, so being sick is now possible, it actually doesn't seem to have any impact on him. He doesn't absorb (nothing to do with Nissens), so has to have a peg feed with supplements, but eats and drinks normally (plenty of beer I'm afraid)!

His life expectancy is now quite limited otherwise they would probably consider re-wrapping in the next year or so, but not worth the disruption and pain for the benefits!

Hi

I did not realise your son was older. It seems from what you say he has other conditions as well. I do not quite understand what you mean about his burps being funny. It is in fact very serious and means the colon is not passing gas.

I am sorry to hear his life expectancy is low as well. That must be very distressing and the hernia is probably just making other condition worse as beer does irritate all internal organs acutely.

Not much more I can really that would be of any help. Best wishes

Hi,

My son had his Nissens 15yrs ago when he was 10, and he didn't have a hernia, he has very floppy muscles and everything (soft tissue), is like elastic!

As for the burping, I'm afraid that when you have 2 out of your 3 kids dying burping that sounds funny is funny so maybe keep your criticicm to yourself!

For the record thos particular child has High Functioning Autism, Ehler DanlosSyndrome and Dysautomnia. His heart is failing.

My youngest is 18 and was fine intil 3 yrs ago when she lost her mobilitly overnight.

3 years later she is suffering from Transient Locked in Syndrome. She has made the decision not to be fitted with a tracheostomy because she doesn't want to be trapped with her brain working, and fully aware and the only other part of her being her eyes which will move up and down.

Whilst I understamd her sdecision the thought that she has just a few more weeks is horrendous, so I am angry!

If a really funny burp makes us all laugh, I reckon we are entitled too!