Surgery recuperation

Posted by: MW on 27 February 2005

Hi Folks
I've had a large hiatus hernia repair and a Nissen Fundoplication ( thats stitching the oesaphagus around the top of the stomach to strengthen the valve) to resolve acid reflux, 2.75 hours under anaesthetic. It's now three weeks since I came out of hospital and I although I'm making good progress I am tired to the point that I can't see me going back to work for weeks. It still hurts a bit, and eating can be a problem, remember being told to chew properly?, well that is absolutely necessary now.
It's not just physical either, we went for a walk to the shops yesterday and I found myself crossing my arms over my front to protect myself, (there again it was M&S with all those irrational shoppers who can't walk in a straight line).
I assume the body decides its own recovery rate, but I'm not looking forward to trying to get the fitness back after a period of time. I'm a swimmer( with the style of a iceberg), and a month ago I did okay at Crystal Palace in the Masters Championships(for older people), but the thought of going back to 2.8K training sessions in an hour again is way off.
Does anyone have experience of getting over surgery and back to fitness?
Cheers

Max
PS I've lost nearly a stone since, and could probably lose more if I keep off the Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel,£5.95 from Asda and others.
Posted on: 27 February 2005 by Deane F
I'm sure the doctors on the forum will be able to provide some useful comment. Aside from that, I remember being told that surgery is a actually a massive injury to the body - just under controlled conditions. Sort of like a serious car crash so I guess it takes a while to come properly right from it.
Posted on: 27 February 2005 by 7V
Max,

I have experienced recovery from an operation.

It seemed that it took an awfully long time to start to get better and that was depressing. However, once things started to improve they improved very quickly.

Take it easy. Be patient with yourself and give it time.

My guess is that in a year's time you won't even remember that you had surgery.

Regards
Steve M
Posted on: 27 February 2005 by NaimDropper
There is no substitute for talking to your physicians about this. Both your general physician (whatever they call it over there) as well as the surgeon.
They need to know how you're getting along so that they can monitor your progress and perhaps suggest certain therapies or actions that will help you along.
That is a big operation, I'm quite familiar with it.
I wish you speedy and uneventful recovery as well as relief from your pre-op symptoms.
David
Posted on: 27 February 2005 by Ron Toolsie
Sounds like your recovery period is slower and the symptoms a bit more extensive to those encountered in most Nissan procedures. I can remember seeing one case of such a procedure that was complicated by stitch that was accidentally placed through the aorta (which passes through the diaphragm)-although that was a very exceptional case. As adviced above, to not hesitate to express your complaints to the surgeon-who at the very least should offer reassurance.
Posted on: 28 February 2005 by Mick P
Max

I had an operation 4 years ago to repair a dislocated shoulder. I was given a GA and was out for a few hours.

It took 3 days to get the anaesthetic out of my system and this was probably the worst part of the entire sage. I just felt semi sick all the time.

My arm was in a sling for 6 weeks and at this stage it was just an inconvenience more than anything else.

When the sling was taken off, my shoulder ached for a couple of weeks.

Each day I had to do a few exercises and my arm ached for about 9 months. It was an irritating aches but an ache all the same.

After 9 months the general ache had gone but if I tried to use my arm to do anything heavy then it would ache. I would say I was at that stage for another 6 months. Therefore it took 15 months to make a full recovery.

Hope this helps

Mick
Posted on: 03 March 2005 by Berlin Fritz
The son of a family friend needed an ugent operation on his leg in england when he was a baby, this was unfortunately put back over and over again, it doesn't really matter now though because he's 44 and in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.


Fritz Von Saving NHS Cash for the important things in life Frown
Posted on: 03 March 2005 by rodwsmith
MW

I wish you well for a speedy recovery...

I get/have gastric reflux quite badly (although I don't follow the recommended diet, to my shame). Does this Nissen thingummy work, apart from the apparent recuperation time? Is it available on the NHS, or maybe even BUPA. I really don't like idea of the supression drugs (Famotidine, Ranitidene(?Sp)) and nor did my doctor, so as it stands I consume my way through quite a lot of rennies and gaviscon which I have been told is harmless.

I'd love to be rid of it once and for all, although in my case it is perhaps more tolerable than yours, and as I say I still drink the wine/coffee and so on which I know doesn't help.

I'm not sure I'd be happy going through the barium meal/endoscopy tests that it took to get my original diagnosis which was years ago.

Appreciate anyone's recommendations anyway.

Rod

PS I don't think Ravenswood Zin is particularly fattening and it's as close to food as wine gets...
Posted on: 04 March 2005 by TomK
Rod,
I've had the same as you for a while now. A few months ago I had an endoscopy and although thankfully nothing nasty like an ulcer was found it turned out I had an extremely potent helicobacter pylori infection. This was sorted by a couple of weeks of high strength antibiotics but unfortunately it didn't sort the reflux problem. The doctor reckons I'll just be on Omeprazole for a while and as I only have to take a couple each week I don't really mind. It's certainly preferable to feeling as though somebody's using a blowtorch inside the gut.

Incidentally have you seen what h. pylori look like? They're like little corkscrews with grappling hooks attached. They drill into the lining of the stomach and fix themselves there using the grappling hooks. A bizarre form of life like something out of a scifi horror movie.
Posted on: 04 March 2005 by MW
Rod

All of my treatment has been through the NHS which has been very good. I've had no reflux in the four weeks since,and I also don't have to take Lansaprazole(Zoton) every day. I was told not having the operation wasn't an option because of the long term effects. At my appointment this week they showed me photos of the operation and even though there was oesophagitis present, I was pleased to see my liver a healthy colour! The results are good so far and I've probably got another 4 weeks before I go back to work, however I have to go back for another dreaded endoscopy in 12 months. I know someone else who had it done last year and he says if you are given the option go for it. Worth discussing with your doctor anyway.
Regards
Max
PS I found Pepto-Bismol works best, just ignore the taste and colour.