Post-op Heartburn?

I'm on the losing side now. *yay* BUT I am having some really bad heartburn. The surgeon said it could be because of the surgery itself and where it took place. Any thoughts? Advice? Alas, the question we ALL hear sooner or later... IS THIS NORMAL? Robin

Robin, welcome back. No advice, did not have to deal with it. Hopefully it will clear up soon. So glad that your doing well and back to posting. Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New Year! TraciL

Hi, Traci!! I'm getting better with each passing day. I'm trying to save up all my energy so I can do a little shopping tomorrow. LOL If the pain isn't better tomorrow, I think I'll give the doc a call... I don't want to disturb him for anything less than an emergency on Christmas. Merry Christmas!! Robin

Hi Robin, Try mint tea warm , hot or cold. Karen

Hi, Karen! Thanks for the tip! I've never been a tea drinker. Maybe my tastes will change for the better after this surgery. How does it come? Is there specifically a "mint tea?" We have some decaffeinated Green Tea here. I tried a sip of it in the hospital with a little Spenda and it tasted pretty good. Do you think that might offer a little soothing relief? Merry Christmas! Robin

Hi Robin You can buy it at most stores. It's the mint that seddles the stomach that why anacids mostly all have mint in them . The warmth of the tea helps relax the stomach. Within 5 days of my surgery I was able to consume 16+ ounces an hour of hot/warm/room temp mint tea.(I don't do cold drinks well) Still use it when Iim having a bit of an upset tummy and it works good for me. It's one the startup gifts I give to others who are having our surgery. Karen

Robin, You can't really get "hertburn" like you used to because the part of your stomach that secretes those large amounts of acids is now seperated. But, if you're like me and have a "bad valve" between the esophagus and pouch, you can still have some reflux, just without the acid. For the first few weeks after surgery I still had this problem. I didn't really need to take anything, but took some prevacid anyway. I just got better as the weight came off. I still find that if I eat to fast or eat something spice, the valve will give me some problems and whatever I just ate or drank will start to creep back up and give me the sensation of heartburn. There's nothing to take for that, just need to learn from that experience. It will get better, but if you are still having problems in a few weeks or if it's causing you a lot of discomfort, I would contact the doc. Merry Christmas, Samantha

Samantha, Thanks so much for your post! I hope I don't have valve problems... *agh!* I was getting concerned yesterday that maybe my little stoma was trying to close up on me...all these "thoughts" you know... they scare me! My surgeon puts everyone on Prevacid for at least six months following surgery, so I started taking that on Friday. I'm not sure if it's pain, or 'reflux' or what exactly it is. I know it's painful when it happens. For instance, drinking water didn't present a problem in the hospital; however, for the past couple of days even that is painful. It hurt so bad last night that I couldn't even get my second protein drink in. This morning I had some yogurt, jello, and peanut butter on a saltine cracker (my surgeon sends his patients home on pureed food) and I was fine with them. I'm going to try changing over to Crystal Light and see if that makes a difference. Now... I've wondered if it COULD be stress -- my family is stressing me out like crazy! (all non-surgery-related issues). And I'm sure that doesn't help with everything we're going through. By the way, I was reading your profile... you're hilarious! You remind me of a close friend -- the humor is very similar! And who knows, our paths may have crossed the day after Thanksgiving ... I was out from 3:30am - 6:00pm (approx.). Oh! May I ask which location is the "Nazi" Curves? LOL You said it was different.... how so? how was it? I will be going there soon to start getting some exercise to these old weary bones. I'm glad to hear that you're doing so well (except for your FOS problem ROFL ) and that you're in the ranks of Onederland! Take care, Robin

I goto the one in Mt. Washington...the Nazi Curves is in York, PA. I hope you're feeling better and had a great holiday! Samantha