Re: from Louisiana, HM is tomorrow....

[Guest guest]

Oh, and my surgeon is Dr. at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans,

LA.....anyone know how I can find his success rate on the the laperascopic HM?

Thanks.... in Lousiana

>

> Hi! Sorry it's been a while since my last post on finding an expert surgeon. I

had to put off my surgery until after my daughter's wedding shower, but Dr. says

that I cannot wait until after the wedding

> (June 8th) to have it done.

>

> So, I go in tomorrow at 6:45 at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, LA. I live in

Houma - about 1 hour's drive south from New Orleans.

>

> I know every story is different, but I would appreciate some feedback from

anyone that has been through the HM. I have some specific questions that I

should have asked a long time ago, but wedding stuff has got my attention. My

questions are:

>

> 1) How long does a laperascopic HM with fundoplication surgery usually take to

perform?

>

> 2) I know it's kinda too late, but how can I find out the success rate of my

surgeon?

>

> 3)How bad is the throat pain after surgery - I have an hour to ride in the car

the next day - ugh!

>

> 4) What kind of liquids/soft foods were you able to eat - any suggestions?

>

> 5) When was the soonest you felt comfortable enough to get up and around?

>

> I am 48 years old and have had many surgeries with no worries. I am quite

nervous about this one because of where it is located - in the esophagus. I will

try to look up some past postings on these questions, but if you have time to

give me your advice, I would appreciate it very much...... in South

Louisiana.

>

[Guest guest]

-- congrats!

1 -- between one and two hours appx

2 -- He's one of the top guys in the field: I wouldn't worry.

http://www.sages.org/publication/id/ACHALASIA/ (This was the paper that made me

decide to go for a Heller and not a balloon.)

3 -- Pain overall is not bad. The operation DOES NOT take place in the throat

unless you are having POEM. A Heller myotomy takes place laparoscopically

though the abdomen. The main trocar just above the belly button, and one just

under the sternum, three others -- usually one to the right of center and two to

the left. The unexpected pain is the shoulder pain, which is " referred " pain

from the solar plexus caused by the CO2 they use to inflate the operating field.

*That* one *may* last up to two weeks. On the other hand, some people don't

seem to get it at all. I did, perhaps because there was more damage to the

solar plexus because they also needed to do a hernia repair to keep my stomach

down in the abdomen where it belongs instead of getting up into the chest cavity

where part of it was trapped.

BRING A PILLOW FOR THE CAR RIDE! You press it against your tummy! It really

helps! (My ride home was two hours.)

4. Soup! (Tomato/mushroom/chicken noodle) Applesauce. Ice cream. Chicken

puree and crackers (crackers turn to mush when you chew 'em).

Crock pot the chicken for about 8 hours/ remove bones/ blenderize to a smooth

paste. Drink a LOT of liquids even with soup! Custards are nice, too. Yogurt.

Scrambled eggs. Tuna fish. Over-cooked Ramen noodles (good in the soup you

cooked the chicken in. Cottage cheese. Butter on soda crackers were a staple for

a couple of weeks, lol! Lots of energy!!! Cheesecake (I skip the crust, but I

make my own, and I'm a low carb girl.) I also took digestive enzymes, 'cause I

figured ma tummy was VERY unused to processing food, grin.

5. Day two. The day I came home. We got home around three, and my son left

about dark (December 30). Leaving me with a large/active puppy (100+ pounds):

we did fine. I was on the computer that night, cooked my own meals as soon's I

got home, carried my own water within a couple of days. I'm 71.

You'll be fine. They gave me enough *good* pain meds for a month. I still have

more than half the bottle left. Got three months worth of PPIs, and have only

used a dozen or so. And you will LOVE being able to feel a cup of hot coffee go

ALL the way down! It's been four months for me, and it *still* amazes me!

xox -- sending love and light to you tomorrow. Now get *shopping*!!!

>

> Hi! Sorry it's been a while since my last post on finding an expert surgeon. I

had to put off my surgery until after my daughter's wedding shower, but Dr. says

that I cannot wait until after the wedding

> (June 8th) to have it done.

>

> So, I go in tomorrow at 6:45 at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, LA. I live in

Houma - about 1 hour's drive south from New Orleans.

>

> I know every story is different, but I would appreciate some feedback from

anyone that has been through the HM. I have some specific questions that I

should have asked a long time ago, but wedding stuff has got my attention. My

questions are:

>

> 1) How long does a laperascopic HM with fundoplication surgery usually take to

perform?

>

> 2) I know it's kinda too late, but how can I find out the success rate of my

surgeon?

>

> 3)How bad is the throat pain after surgery - I have an hour to ride in the car

the next day - ugh!

>

> 4) What kind of liquids/soft foods were you able to eat - any suggestions?

>

> 5) When was the soonest you felt comfortable enough to get up and around?

>

> I am 48 years old and have had many surgeries with no worries. I am quite

nervous about this one because of where it is located - in the esophagus. I will

try to look up some past postings on these questions, but if you have time to

give me your advice, I would appreciate it very much...... in South

Louisiana.

>

[Guest guest]

1) M HM and wrap took four hours but I also had a hernia that had to be taken

care of.

 

2) Google you doctor for success rate.

 

3) I had a slight pricking pain only one day after surgery.

 

4) Eat alot of cream of soups.

 

5) I was fine walking around the next day.

 

Do not drive yourself home.

 

I was able to eat blended food (very watery)  the day after the surgery.

 

Hope you are as lucky.  Good luck.

 

Once in a while I have a feeling like I am starting to have problems, but that

only last a few minutes.

 

Suzanne

From: lesleco <lesleco@...>

Subject: from Louisiana, HM is tomorrow....

achalasia

Date: Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 1:33 PM

 

Hi! Sorry it's been a while since my last post on finding an expert surgeon. I

had to put off my surgery until after my daughter's wedding shower, but Dr. says

that I cannot wait until after the wedding

(June 8th) to have it done.

So, I go in tomorrow at 6:45 at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, LA. I live in

Houma - about 1 hour's drive south from New Orleans.

I know every story is different, but I would appreciate some feedback from

anyone that has been through the HM. I have some specific questions that I

should have asked a long time ago, but wedding stuff has got my attention. My

questions are:

1) How long does a laperascopic HM with fundoplication surgery usually take to

perform?

2) I know it's kinda too late, but how can I find out the success rate of my

surgeon?

3)How bad is the throat pain after surgery - I have an hour to ride in the car

the next day - ugh!

4) What kind of liquids/soft foods were you able to eat - any suggestions?

5) When was the soonest you felt comfortable enough to get up and around?

I am 48 years old and have had many surgeries with no worries. I am quite

nervous about this one because of where it is located - in the esophagus. I will

try to look up some past postings on these questions, but if you have time to

give me your advice, I would appreciate it very much...... in South

Louisiana.

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to say good luck! I'm waiting for my HM and will be anxious to

hear how yours goes. I hope everything goes smoothly and that you have a speedy

recovery!

Take care,

>

> Hi! Sorry it's been a while since my last post on finding an expert surgeon. I

had to put off my surgery until after my daughter's wedding shower, but Dr. says

that I cannot wait until after the wedding

> (June 8th) to have it done.

>

> So, I go in tomorrow at 6:45 at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, LA. I live in

Houma - about 1 hour's drive south from New Orleans.

>

> I know every story is different, but I would appreciate some feedback from

anyone that has been through the HM. I have some specific questions that I

should have asked a long time ago, but wedding stuff has got my attention. My

questions are:

>

> 1) How long does a laperascopic HM with fundoplication surgery usually take to

perform?

>

> 2) I know it's kinda too late, but how can I find out the success rate of my

surgeon?

>

> 3)How bad is the throat pain after surgery - I have an hour to ride in the car

the next day - ugh!

>

> 4) What kind of liquids/soft foods were you able to eat - any suggestions?

>

> 5) When was the soonest you felt comfortable enough to get up and around?

>

> I am 48 years old and have had many surgeries with no worries. I am quite

nervous about this one because of where it is located - in the esophagus. I will

try to look up some past postings on these questions, but if you have time to

give me your advice, I would appreciate it very much...... in South

Louisiana.

>

[Guest guest]

The pain from surgery will not be in your throat, it will be similar to a

gallbladder surgery, tender in the upper chest. The most pain is the first 3-4

days and it & #39;s not that bad, very manageable with some pain meds. Your doc

will probably have u on a restricted diet of liquids and then soft foods for 2

weeks or so.

All the best! Julee in Oregon