hiatus hernia operation

Hi marie how soon did you go back to work after your first one? Ive provisionally booked 2 weeks off, im a veterinary nurse so it is a very active job. Hope you continue to recover well. Amanda

Hi Marie,

I'm glad you sent this message for Amanda, I thought 3 weeks was a good length of time - I don't lift like you have had to, but I have heard of people going back after 1 or 2 weeks, and it makes you think should I? As it turns out I had a complication anyhow - and think they will probably insist I take at least 3 weeks now. If it came to it I'd even add on a holiday week just to get the right amount of re-coup time! 

Hope you continue to get better swiftly.

Hi,

I've not heard of the operation your doctor is talking about either! It's strange your consultant asked you to ask your doctor to refer you to a surgeon - usually they will do that themselves - at least that's what happened in my case! 

If you do go down the surgery route - you will have other tests done - manometry and 24hr ph testing. This is a standard to make sure your swallow reflux is strong enough for the repair and to prove you have significant acid reflux.

Hope someone else on here can help you with that operation information - I've just heard of nissens, toupet & watson fundoplications!

The consultant did send my gp a letter recommending the surgeon but told me he couldn't refer me unless my doctor said so! I haven't heard of the other op and can't find it on the Internet. He have me a print off with it on but it really doesn't give me any details! I guess I'll just have to wait for a letter to have an appt with the surgeon. Hopefully it won't be too long! My reflux is ok sometimes but if I have a big flare up I'm in agony and my tablets just don't settle it down! Is there any way I can find out where this surgery is done as they have told m it won't be local! I think I could live with the acid taste in my mouth if I didn't get the chest and stomach pains and wasn't constantly Bloated! X

Hi Glennie hope you are recovering well,how are things after your op? Do you feel you made the right choice?

Ian

Hi Ian,

I am doing very well thanks! I'm still tired - but I haven't had to take any acid reducing meds since my operation on 12th March. I ate spagetti bolognse last night - and was not ill - tomatoes were one of the worse culprits for acid reflux. I'm still eating minced/ shredded/ mashed foods - not tried salad stuff, raw veg, nuts or bread as I don't think I'm ready - but I am enjoying what I can have. At this moment in time I would say it has been well worth the pain and discomfort of the operation.

Some things I have had to learn - to eat smaller portions more frequently, chew everything very thoroughly, and eat a lot slower than I used to - but strangely I am enjoying my food more now than I have done in a very long time!

Have you had your op yet? How are you getting on?

Thanks for the update Glennie glad your doing well ☺I'm still waiting for a date for my op I have called the hospital they said end of may my pre-op was Feb as it's still a while away I've decided on a sneaky little holiday beginning of may.

Ian

Hi Ian,

I thought I waited a long time after my pre-op - but you are waiting longer! Was about 9 weeks after I had my op. Be warned - they do blood tests on the day of your op - nurse told me they are done on the day - as the results are only good for 3 days at best. 

Having a holiday sounds like a good plan - you will feel too wiped out to enjoy yourself for a while after. I have been out shopping for just an hour today - and I haven't done much or carried anything heavy - I actually felt quite dizzy! I'm supposed to be back at work on Tuesday - I'm thinking I'm going to be a bit of a zombie the first week back - at least it's just 4 days!

Have fun - hope you go somewhere warm!

Hopefully they will get you sorted. Unfortunately it does take time - was about a year or so for me from my original visit to the doctor - so many departments in the hospital (and hoops to jump through). I had to travel to get my 24hr ph test done - as our local hosiptal didn't do them - so sometimes you do get taken elsewhere! I'm just wondering if they can do a wrap through an endoscopy??? Even with a linx they have to wrap the stomach - and I can't imagine how they do a wrap from inside your oesophagus??? 

Let me know how it goes.

I'm glad I had my surgery - no meds, no acid taste :-)

Please keep us informed of your op and how it goes. The 24 hours of no food will be hard but just remember it'll be worth it in the end. Good luck x

Hi Amanda,

24 hours to fast? That's a long time! It was only 8 hours for me. I had afternoon surgery. The last 2 hours that I could have anything was water or black coffee.

Hope all goes well and be prepared for very sore shoulders after.

Good luck.

I think its very strange. Im thinking if they have it wrong? I dont know what time my surgery is, dont find out untill the day of surgery. I have to be there at 7.30am so im praying its first thing. If its not till the afternoon I will have been without food for 36 hours and fluids for 20ish surely thats not good!

Please ring your surgeons secretary - I originally had a morning slot - and was told not to eat or drink from midnight the night before and the last meal had to be a very light meal. If you left it that long you would probably pass out! 

Hi, I have rang them and they have confirmed not to eat after 10am today and only water/black coffee from 12pm today :-( . Im really struggling as I am at work. They still dont know what time my theatre slot is.

You poor soul! I presume you will be in first thing! It will have been very hard working and not being able to eat. You will be very shaky tomorrow. I hope all goes well for you. And just to note - if you have long hair don't wear any hair bands with metal in - I thought I was being good tying my hair in plaits - just to be told by the nurse to remove the hair bands!  

Come back and tell us how it went!

Thanks for the tip. Im really struggling, if I could have a normal coffee it would help alot!I really hope im in early.

Thanks

Amanda, they woudn't be taking you in 7.30am if it wasn't morning surgery. I had to go in at 11.30am for afternoon - and finally had my operation at 3pm. They will check you in, take bloods, get you to change into your op gown, I saw the surgeon and signed the consent form, saw a dietitian and the anesthetist all in quick succession! 

I think the scariest part was going into the anesthetic room - and thinking - no going back now! No regrets though!

All the best for tomorrow. And I would love to know that you are ok after!

You have to be in at 7.30am reguardless of op time where im going :-( . Already had all bloods took so shouldnt be anymore. Im hoping to be out same day if I have morning surgery do you know what the chances of that are?

Good luck for tomorrow Amanda 😊

Provided you have morning surgery, and you have no complications, you could do it in a day. I had very very sore shoulders and a complication, and was glad when they told me I was staying in overnight. But I did have afternoon surgery too, so there was less recovery time in the day ward! If they do say you need to stay, it's usually for the best reasons! You have youth on your side! I hope you get the first slot of the day!