Did you have a hiatal hernia repair with your DS? (5.5 weeks post op)

I am wondering if anyone had the same experience. I searched the board but was finding a bit different questions.  Maybe I missed it, I apologize.

Bottom line...I am still on pretty clear liquid. I can get fuzzy navel nectar down okay because it's made in water.  I am lucky to get a few sips of a cream soup down but since I feel full all the time I don't want to eat a lot without protein. I know I am not getting enough water so the protein in water helps with that. If a shake is too thick, can't get it down. Makes me feel sick. 

Yesterday I drank a 2.9 oz whey shot (too fast I know) and it felt over full and I almost threw it up.  The nectar is 8+oz mixed up and I can get that down so I know it's not the size of my sleeve. 

Since the dietary guidelines I was given listed all kinds of soft foods at 3 weeks and even that I can start slowly adding in regular foods at 6 weeks, has me a little baffled.

I saw the nurse practitioner Monday and she said it's all normal, the swelling has to go down, the sleeve has to relax etc.  I would just like to eat some protein instead of drink it. I have that sort of queasy feeling a lot, like when you are pregnant and that I need to "eat" something to settle my stomach.  Everything I am drinking...nectar and water (and I'm thirsty and dont feel like I can get enough water) all makes weird noises all the way down and adds to the queasy feeling I think. The only time I am really nauseaus is if I can't get something down and I think I might throw it up. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I hear this is normal.

Bottom line...what is your experience on when this gets easier from a hiatal hernia repair standpoint. I've heard lots of people say they ate early on and obviously that isn't possible for me. :)

 

Thanks for your input!

 

I'm sorry you're going through this. If it doesn't start getting better soon, please talk to someone about checking you for dehydration and a possible stricture. 

--gina

 

I am 6 weeks out from my DS and 2 weeks out from my hernia repair. My hernia was incisional so a result of my open DS. I was already eating soft foods by 3 weeks and got set back by the hernia, now 2 weeks out from hernia I am eating soft foods, mostly meats. I feel so much better when I eat real foods, all the protein supplements just seem gross after awhile...my body wants real food. We all progress differently of course but I can attest to feeling better with real food. I can say it is very confusing though trying to figure it all out. thank God for these forums or I would still be trying to survive on the RNY instructions my docs sent me home with...grrr.

I am sure! I agree, I did get a couple small bites of hamburger down a coule weeks ago (chewed to liquid) and I felt amazing.

I had a hiatal hernia repair with my DS.  But at 5.5 weeks out, I was not having the problems you described, I was also not on a liquid diet (let alone clear liquids), but all surgeon's give different dietary progressions.  I was eating very normally at your point, so I don't think this is related the hernia repair (just my 2 cents...NOT medical advice).

Are you on a PPI?  I ask because the first 4 weeks I had a lot of tummy issues that were instantly resolved by increasing my Prilosec to twice a day.  If I were you, I would call your surgeon's office and talk to the nurse and see if they can talk to the surgeon and get back to you.  I really think by almost 6 weeks out, you shouldn't be having such problems getting down a bite of solid food.  You also may be dehydrated if you aren't getting in your liquids (which then makes your nausea worse).  I had to get 2 bags if IV fluids at 3.5 weeks out because I had such a hard time getting anything down because of the reflux.

 

I agree but when I asked, it was all "normal" and was going to "get better." They make it sound more like they'd be concerned with stricture if I couldn't keep anything down. Since I can keep water and thin (water based) shakes they didn't seem as concerned. It wasn't my doctors instructions to stay on "clear" it's been my attempt to get whatever down that will go down. :)

Yes I am taking prilosec 40x1 day. How much do you take?

Hmmm.  Who is your surgeon?  Did they do a swallow study or and GI series on you while you were in the hospital?

And I take 20mg twice daily.

I don't think they did a swallow study however I know they tested for leaks with some blue stuff.  It's Dr Hodges in Dallas.

I've never heard of your surgeon, but I know some people that can help you more than I can.  I'm going to PM you.