Guest guest Posted June 19, 2008 Report Share Posted June 19, 2008 The messages have all blended together... but.... Weight.... Many of us have weight issues before and after surgery. A doctor who is surprised to see an overweight person with achalasia probably hasn't seen many achalasia patients. Experienced gi's are surprised but those are the goofs that don't recognize achalasia, but if a doctor sees many of us they should not be surprised at all if we are overweight. There was a story lately about the vagus nerve and weight and another way to lose weight. I couldn't find a link. Perhaps the weight and the vagus nerve damage and achalasia are related. I'm the only overweight person in my family genetically, so I'm inclined to believe there is something else going on besides genetics. Of course I could work really hard on losing weight but it is a struggle. Next... going through the lung and a chest tube. I'm guessing the surgeon meant going through the ribs and through the lung area, but likely he/she collapsed the lung to get to the esophagus, thus the chest tube. It is desperately imperative to use that annoying ball machine after surgery. When I first tried to use it I could only move the first ball about 1/4" inch up. Whether VATS or lap or even any other surgery that machine is really important. Hmmm never should be surprised, but I just assumed everyone would be catheterized and have a naso-gastric tube. There are pros and cons to all. Everytime you put a tube in you risk infection. Not having a catheter means you have to get up and walk and that is good. But also they want to know how much is going out and if there is any sign of blood or cloudiness in the urine. All these are decision doctors make and points out yet another reason to go to a well-experienced doctor for a myotomy. We can't tell what is right or wrong, you just want a doctor who can justify and give a reason why they do it differently and know about the other ways of doing it. Ask before surgery how many tubes you will likely have. Get your surgery records afterward. I'm still a catheter fan! But I had a chest tube and that hurts like crazy and moving all that apparatus to the bathroom was well beyond my capatilities. Could be the doctors make those decisions in the operating room, who knows? Oh... another hint others have mentioned.. a pillow, to go home with. Holding a pillow against the surgery spots helps with the bumps and seat belt etc. It helps to push against those spots during the night and maybe during a spasm. Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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