Laparscopic Nissen Fundoplication and Hiatal Hernia repair surgery
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I had suffered with stomach problems for what felt like forever but was probably just a year or two before I finally insisted on seeing a specialist (Nov 13). I have previously been taking Esmaprazole, Domperidone and copious amounts of Gaviscon to no real avail. I suffered acid problems and a constant burning sensation in my upper abdomen. I had Laparscopic Nissen Fundoplication and Hiatal Hernia repair surgery in June 2014 and could feel the improvements from the moment I came round from Anaesthetic.
I thoroughly researched the surgery, recovery and surgeon’s available and even considered paying privately if the need required. By request I was referred to Mr Viswanath (James Cook University Hospital & Nuffield Hospital – North East England). After reading some of the blogs and information available on the Internet regarding this type of surgery I was under no illusions that the recovery would be very tough, Indeed my own GP advised me against this type of operation as did most of my family and friends however the pain and suffering was to such an extent that I knew I had little option but to undergo surgery.
I am very pleased to say that for me, the recovery has been less difficult/painful than I was advised, I put this down to two factors; firstly and most importantly the skill of the surgeon, secondly by being mentally prepared (remember that any discomfort and dietary restrictions after the operation are a temporary measure in order to fix your stomach, and by comparing that to the constant discomfort I was suffering Pre-Operation encouraged me to be positive each and every day).
I had never before experienced a hospital stay or surgery or anaesthetic and was very nervous however I can honestly say (to date) the hardest part for me was the thorough testing carried out to check if I was suitable for surgery and also the 24 hour fasting/dietary restrictions pre-op (an empty stomach for me was a truly painful thing - the acid was unbearable).
My surgery was first of the day and I was given the anaesthetic at 07:50, When I awoke from anaesthetic at 10:50 I was asked how I was feeling etc and if I was in any pain/discomfort, I wasn’t and asked for some water which I was given at hourly intervals on an incremental basis. After my first sip of water I managed a small burp (for me this was a major sign of the surgery’s success, I had read many blogs in which people were never able to burp again and therefore suffered from gas). I wasn’t in any pain/discomfort nor felt groggy in any way, in fact the constant nagging pain that I had felt pre op was gone. I managed to visit the ladies without any assistance walking and was discharged shortly after 17:30pm the same day. Amazing!! Unfortunatly another lady in for surgery the same day as me was not so lucky, when she awoke she asked for pain medication and when I left she was still struggling to swallow even the smallest amount of fluid. (I put this down to the pain medication but I’m not medically trained and am not qualified to say).
I was discharged with Tramadol pain killers to be taken as required alongside paracetamol, anti-sickness medication and Lanzaprazol (all dispersible). I took half of the Tramadol on the second day thinking it would help me sleep as I was finding it difficult to get comfortable lying down because of the wounds, but it didn’t and so I didn’t take any more. The first few days I took paracetamol every four hours along with the anti-sickness and Lanzaprazol but around day 5 I didn’t feel the need and only kept taking the antacid at doctors instructions (so the stomach has time to heal without acid causing any problem).
Food was limited to liquid only and I admit to following the dietary information very comprehensively (My advice if you want it - this is your chance to fix your stomach – don’t waste it by trying to run before you can walk). I kept a daily log of my food intake and although the first few days I managed very little, a small amount of yoghurt, ice cream and soup this soon increased as the week/weeks went on and the food diary helped me to monitor the improvement easily – which also helped boost my moral/positive attitude. Although a liquid diet sounds very restrictive, a little preparation can go a long way to making this diet easier and more acceptable. I made several batches of soup pre op, different flavours and thickness and froze them in different quantity pots – labelling them clearly, I bought several types/flavours of ice cream, and yoghurt’s and also drinks e.g Bovril, Hot Chocolate, Ovaltine and Horlicks and used full fat milk. I bought various tins of deserts e.g Custard, Semolina, Tapioca, rice pudding and thinned these down with full fat milk. By week 3 I was managing small amounts of soup with small bits and also a rusk with a cup of tea. After week 6 I stopped recording my food intake and continue to increase my intake on a slow and steady basis.
I’m not saying the recovery has been easy and there were/are times when it is difficult to swallow food and I know I still have a way to go, it’s still early days and as my intake is reduced so is my energy levels but in all I would say this was not as difficult and unpleasant as I had thought, and for me it was a big success and my life is much better for it. I am thrilled with the results to date (11 weeks on).
I would like to mention that I am pleased with the service received from the National Health Service, from the point of referral, through consultations and thorough testing to the date of my surgery took under 7 months. I couldn't fault the care received. Again I would mention the skills of Mr Viswanath and his team in helping to give me back my health.
My advice to anyone suffering - If surgery is a viable option for you then do your research & choose your surgeon, remain positive and follow the instructions given to aid your recovery. Don't be put off by the information available, there are success stories too. Best Wishes, Julie.
14 likes, 161 replies
Maboyali julieangel
Posted
wpshark Maboyali
Posted
leonie20490 julieangel
Posted
Hi Julieangel and all,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to post here, about my problem. Reading all your posts has been a real revelation to me. For a very long time, I've been having problems with my stomach. I get pain, nausea, vomiting, inability to drink alcohol or digest fatty foods, and also I feel out of breath quite often. If I start feeling nauseous after eating, I have to take Nexium or else I will vomit for hours on end. Sometimes I have to take a double dose just to settle my reflux. Anyway, Not knowing what was wrong with me, my imagination started working overtime, thus making me think I had an ulcer, gall stones and even pancreatitis. Doctors have been of little help to me, although they did tell me I had reflux. In regards reflux, I hadn't noticed any acid in my esophagus after eating, so I swallowed with no food in my mouth, and I felt the acid straight away. I had an endoscopy, which revealed a hiatal hernia, however, I was told that it was too small to have any effect on my stomach, so I wouldn't be given a referral to a gastroenterologist. I know obesity can make reflux or GERD worse, and that is partly the case with me. About two years ago, my weight increased after taking a drug for my Rheumatoid Arthritis. This definitely made my reflux worse. I'm wondering if anyone hear has trouble swallowing food, or feeling full very quickly. I can only eat small portions, or eat very slowly. I was given the drug Lyrica, after a knee replacement operation, and one of the side effects of Lyrica is inability to swallow. I think this symptom may not be associated with reflux, but not sure. Now my doc wants me to see a swallowing specialist, which i feel is not really my main problem, and only wasting time. I guess if I get it looked at, I can rule it out. The thing is, that I can relate so well to everything I read on this particular thread, so I feel that I know what my problem is. I know that all of you here aren't doctors, so I'm not expecting some kind of diagnosis. It would just be nice to compare notes, and talk to you about how I feel. This thing sure does ruin lives. All the best to all of you, and take care x (Leonie in Australia)
paul43575 julieangel
Posted
Julie, Thanks so much for sharing! I had the surgery six days ago. I've had zero pain in my abdomen area, but a tremendous amount of pain in my shoulders. (They told me it was from the gas). I've also had quite a bit of difficulty swallowing, but that seems to be improving. Do you (or anyone) know how to relieve the shoulder pain?
zena75822 paul43575
Posted
Hi Paul I had my operation 13 August 2016. What did they give for pain before left hospital. I took panadol solibal but wait till all fizz has gone befor taking it . Or they gave me in hospital and told me to take Calpol which I thought was only for kids but did help . It will wear off after few days..
Hope you feel better soon . It's taken me just over year to get back on track . But probly asive been diagnosed now with gallstones so waiting on another operation ..they think it may been in back ground all time maybe reason whytaken me longer to get back on track. Plus I was the 1 in million that had reaction to Anithetic and blood thinking inject and reaction to the stuff they paint on you body to sterolise before they operate. I was just unlucky. So took me a bit longer than others . Just listen to what you body telling you and take A-Z vitamins. Don't try rush just take you time and keep trying stuff.. you will get there . Good luck hope you feel better soon ...
mag2 paul43575
Posted
Hi Paul.
Yes the shoulder pain is from the gas used during the operation, it is an annoying pain but I wouldn't worry about it too much, it will pass soon, walking around will help to disperse it.
I had my operation in June last year. It takes a while for everything to settle down, just remember to eat slowly and small portions.
The sore throat is probably due to a tube that was probably put down during the operation and that should pass too in short time.
Something to look forward to, I sit here enjoying red wine and chocolate and will sleep well with only two pillows, no acid or reflux.
Best wishes with your recovery.
Regards
Margaret
zena75822 mag2
Posted
Hi Mag
Glad you are doing OK.
I'm on the waiting list for more surgery. I have to have a operation for gallstones. I was still feeling bit sick now and again and pain. They did few weeks blood test and liver function one came little hi so did scan to check for Gallstones. I have smaller shaving like one a cysts on left kidney (but don't seam worried about that )..
I'm on NHS waiting list for Gallbladder operation. I'm having same surgeon as trust him.. He dose Gallbladder surgery as well..
Just waiting now he said his waiting list is about 3 month so I saw him in October so hopefully all done come January 2018 so can get back to normal what ever that is.. He said could been in backgroundall along but as wasn't looks for it.. Probably reason while was still feel bit ruff on and off ...work stressing makes it worse, but learning to say no stopping dumping work on me to sort out when other screw up not doing it anymore especially as they did bother to cover my work when had to be off sick for 4 week after last operation.. I've found a circuit training classes near me and been doing them Monday to Thursday after work and Friday morning 7:50am before work . Been doing classes since about July. Was feel rough before no energy and sleepy all time.
Feel much better for doing classes more energy feel fitter get complements saying how good look. I wasn't that big was size 14 before operation but now size 8 trousers.
Quite like it being size 8 but want to be healthy looking size 8 not sick skinny looking. The trainer at my class is good guy he make sure you doing everything correct work hard to you ability but not over doing it... surprised manged to do so much and so well.
we did full hand plank challenge for 6 minutes last week, didn't think even managed a full minute but out 14 of us doing class that night was myself and a Polish guy that goes that actually managed more than the 6 minutes challenge we made it to 8 minutes but they called time at 8 minutes as the trainer had some guys waiting for boxing class with him.
I was so proud of myself.
We were Talk of class as just the two that completed challenge and more.. everyone else did make 6 minutes.
Hopefully I will soon get this operation out way and feel much better .
My eatting issues got better since doing classes as have more apertite dietitian was pleases last time saw her. Work stress mess up my eating some time as we're still try dump everything on me and did cover my work while I had to be off sick 4 weeks after operation I get stressed cant eat properly and get mouth ulsers. But learning to stay no and stick to it. Getting there.. the surgeon has me on hi NHS waiting list which he said about a 3 month waiting list but has also put me on his cancellations list so could be any time form now till January 2018 as saw him in October. So hopefully will get this all done and feel much better and back to normal what ever normal is aging. Glad you can have drink if you want .. I had 1 JD and coke at nephew wedding reception few weeks ago. But up till then from operation not touched any alcohol or fizzy drinks.. my one think is cup cappuccino from coffee van at work then mostly water or bit week sqash rest time...
Nice to hear you doing OK as you helped me loads as your operation was bit before mine so helped me through it with your exspences and tips .. helped me loads and not to be so scared and what to do try with food and stuff. Had been on hereBay for while as disn't want to put people off as I just was a bit unlucky with the antithetic making me sick. Having reaction to blood thinning injection and the stuff they paint you body with to sterilise it before the operation. It just me I have sensitive skin. Didn't want to put people off or to think they would be feel ruff too. Now more positive stuff to put to encourage people it dose get better after just takes bit time and not to run before you can walk. And like you told me listen to you body and if can't stomach it try aging in few days... just get odd day were feel bit rough but that more induce by work stress and then not being able to eat properly just get nagging pain then in right side and funny feeling in right shoulder blade area.. but not the realy painful .. let you know how get on and help others on here to give tip of what we did and dose get better just bit frustrating at timesome just take day by day and you will get there and everyone different have to list to you body and take tips from what has worked for other or to know that they are not on there own and not to stress dose get better just takes time some quicker than others..but you are not on your own other on here will try and help from there own exspences.. take care Catch up for up date again soon .
Hopefully everyone one having surgery or considering surgery will find everyone help comforting and helpful as I did when I was considering weather to go through with all test and surgery or not . It defently helped me as I was so so scared .. but you and others help me through it..
Hope anyone else reading this find the comments helpful and helping them too.
Good luck to all that need or are the other side and had surgery and are on road to recovery..
Sorry bit long winded..
Regards
Zena
mag2 zena75822
Posted
Hi Zena.
Sounds like you are finally getting fixed.
I've been having a strange pain in my right side over the past months, I've been for a scan to see if there were stones in my gallbladder but all was clear but still dunno what it is, it doesn't make me feel sick or anything, mind you saying that last night I was awake most of the night feeling a tad Yuck but I think it was due to me having a rushed day at work the last couple of days and a coffee in the evening. I refuse to blame the wine and chocolate haha..
I also had a barium swallow a couple of months ago and all was good, no leakage from stomach..
Regards
Margaret
zena75822 mag2
Posted
Hi Margaret
My doctor asked me if got pain on right side I said yer but thought was all to do with stomach cramps and food issues that also why sent for scan. Suppose to be only small splinter type stones and not blocking duck... got mouth ulsers again but think we're working stressing me out trying to dump others crap on me to sort out and my manager don't like now when say "NO I'm not doing it not my works someone else." But as much as you try not to let wind you up its dose. Went home sick Thursday as felt sick and they were doing my head in was freezing in office to.
Had something to eat when got home went home at 1.40pm just rested felt better later so went to my Exercise classes at 7pm...
Had day off on Friday as was fireworks at Grandson school so not looking forward to going in Monday... fed up with bailing others out when they don't do there work, my manager running scared as the idiot supervisor who is lazy and she covers up for him as he dosent do what supposed to. and I said I'm not doing his or others work any more. She's scared as we got new CEO and he will be looking into all deptments and who dose what how works .. so she tryed to dump on me to sort out crap and don't like know because I saying no not my work not doing it ....
Stress you out then say to you why you getting stress you make your self ill...
joke... once get operation over and recover i think will be looking for new job if it don't change. I already told HR not come back to my work not being covered when I'm off sick from operation like last time when work wasn't covered for 4 weeks..
Everyone else job has been covered when they been off. So mine better be as well when have to be off for operation.
The stupid supervisor keeps stalks me when I'm on my lunch hour so started being sarcastic to him when I catch him out when he was stalking me Friday when I stood outside to get some air wouldn't mind but I'm not the one taking exstended lunch hour and strolling around doing nothing Internet shopping and all that I'm the one working and not taking micky as have far too much work my own to sciver. ...Makes being off for operation seam more inviting as won't be at work ... I some time get that dumping sinderum and my stomach rumbles... think sickness feeling is due to them strees me out because a few days after theyou stress me out i starting getting mouth ulsers.
Glad you doing OK. Surgeon said Gallstone can sometimes get triggered from the operation and losing so much weight... or could been in the back ground all along ... so just keep you eye on the pain in you right side as mine is more of niggle pain not sharp pain just uncomfortable. Comes and goes...
I keep getting a pain at bottom end spine on the tail bit feels like hard lump saw doctor but she said could be normal just were lost so much weight ,but not convinced as if you touch it it ackes which shouldn't do, but if you do same to another bone is dosent so my question is if it is more cause lost weight and less padding on bum now dont think should be getting pain and discomfort so she just said come back in month time is still hurting ... so will have to go back but going to ask for x-ray or something as is not right never had before..
keep you updated
Hopefully all sort itself out then can move on ...
Take care
Zena
Timotej julieangel
Posted
Hi Julie,
i was op 4 weeks ago. I had Hiatal sliding hernia and strong reflux for 2 years. my esophagus, troat, tongue and ears burning most of the time specially after eating. How long did it take for u after operation for burning to go away? I am worried that i had the op. for nothing 😥
txs in advance
Tim
mag2 Timotej
Posted
Hi Tim,
It's a long slow process, you should start noticing small changes soon, I had reflux from a young child and have no memory of what it's like to have a "normal" stomach, I started to notice subtle changes in how I felt a few months after op, I still took the odd Ranitadine while my stomach was settling down. That was June last year.
I can now drink red wine with no burning. I still get a little discomfort after coffee so I try not to have more than two a day.
Eating slowly and small portions, chew your food totally before you swallow it is good practice.
Best wishes for your recovery.
Regards
Margaret
maureen_17785 Timotej
Posted
you seemed to experienced what I am going through now 6 weeks after surgery. How long did you get these symptoms for.
daisy30121 julieangel
Posted
I just had my Laparscopic Nissen Fundoplication and Hiatal Hernia repair surgery on Nov. 9-2017. My stomach was 100 % above the diaphragm, my surgery was 5 hrs. long and 7 1" incisions stitches on the inside and supper glue on the outside,
everything looking good. The Doc said he wanted to make sure everyting was going to remain in place after surgery. I was totally out of it for two days while in the hospital, the nurses where not compassionate souls and very brutal while changing the sheets on the bed, I'm sure they could hear my screams all down the hall.
I went in on a Thur. and by Sun. afternoon I was begging the Dr. to go home.
The time I was there I got maybe 3 hrs of sleep. I was so sleep deprived all I wanted was to go home, the food was so bad that I must have lost lbs. while in there. Once home is when my recovery started, I was able to sleep, I was eating my slushy meals. The first two days I did need help dressing such as sock and shoes. but for the most part I was able to do it but very slowly.
My only complaint is that I have extreme burning/stinging pain on the opposite side of my surgery where there is no incisions and about the size of an open hand, while standing or laying down but sitting is OK. I do have the same pain while coughing across the stomach where the surgery was, but the pain on the other side is a mystery even the doc is baffled.
Does anyone out there have the same kind of pain?
On the road to recovery!
christy_17577 daisy30121
Posted
Hi Daisy, it's been 2 weeks since my surgery and I've had that same pain. Hurt so bad I called the Doctor, he said it was due to the surgery and nothing to worry about. But I hadn't had a bowel movement since I came home from hospital. They put me on non stimulus stool softener and I drank lots of water and walked . Finally my bowels moved and the pain subsided. But ever time it comes back it's usually if I need to have a bowel movement. Hope this helps.
mag2 christy_17577
Posted
Regards
Margaret