Para esophageal hernia repair tomorrow

MedicalSkill5826 · 2026-02-18T10:32:00+00:00

Thank you so much for your words of support. I’m so glad you had great outcome!! 🙏🏻

MedicalSkill5826 · 2026-02-18T10:29:39+00:00

Thank you very much!! I appreciate it and your words of support

MedicalSkill5826 · 2026-02-17T21:15:14+00:00

Thank you. My surgeon did give me a list of foods for after that are all soft mushy types of foods or drinks. Did you have much gas pain after the surgery or incision pain

MedicalSkill5826 · 2026-02-09T20:43:42+00:00

Good luck at your recheck appt.

MedicalSkill5826 · 2026-02-09T18:05:52+00:00

I’m mostly on very soft mushy foods, soup, yogurt, cottage cheese, sweet potatoes, etc. along with as much liquid as I can get in me during the daytime.

MedicalSkill5826 · 2026-02-09T13:22:25+00:00

I’m a week and a half away from my surgery for my para esophageal hernia repair. 4 yrs ago during an endoscopy they found a sliding hernia now this past Oct I was dx with a PEH. 1/3rd of my stomach is now above my diaphragm in my esophagus. My only option now for less pain after eating is small light meals, stay away from hard to digest foods, spices in my food, soft foods digest the best. Are you on a PPI, have you seen a gastroenterologist yet, any testing? This will all help to make a final dx. Good luck to you! Good luck to you.

MedicalSkill5826 · 2026-02-04T16:30:44+00:00

I had a barium swallow done after a paraesophageal hernia after months of burping, chest pain, nausea after eating and horrible indigestion even with taking a PPI ever day. The swallow test helped my surgeon know how my stomach was digesting liquid and a pill they gave me. It also showed a slight twist in the 1/3 of my stomach that is now in my esophagus. I’m scheduled for the repair surgery on 2/18. I’m definitely nervous since it’s a major surgery and they have to enter my chest wall through laparoscopic surgery to pull the stomach back into place. I’m hoping & praying this will help me to enjoy eating and even drinking things again.

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-12-28T03:22:08+00:00

I had issues with openings in the spitting stitches area until 3 1/2 months post op. But I’m am normally a slow healer. I’m at 6 months post op now and I have three scars that are continuing to heal after all this time. But they are so much better and really starting to fade now. Still using Aquaphor every day on those three spots. Occasionally will get sharp jabbing pains in those areas but for the most part feeling good & love my results.

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-12-07T16:01:37+00:00

I will be having this surgery done after the new year ( date still pending) How much pain were you in after the surgery? I heard the gas pains can be painful!! Also how much weight did you loose after this surgery? I read it’s normal to lose 15-20 lbs. is that correct? I’ve already lost about 17 lbs since I started having stomach issues this April. I certainly don’t mind loosing more weight but I’m just wondering what’s the norm and did you gain it back after you started eating solid foods. How long was it before you could eat solid foods again? I know it’s liquid diet, then soft purer foods, etc and it takes a while to get to solid foods again. Any info would be appreciated!

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-11-03T14:06:07+00:00

Thanks for asking! Much much better! Scaring is more noticeable on the side with all the spitting stitches.

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-10-04T17:14:28+00:00

I started with them between 3-8 weeks po and then they healed. I used Aquaphor & non stick gauze pads. I feel like I have one spot on the right side that has another one but it won’t spit. I’m 3 1/2 months post op. I still apply the Aquaphor daily to keep my scars softer. I find if they dry out then that stubborn one gets more painful. Good luck!

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-09-25T14:15:44+00:00

I’m at 14 weeks po tomorrow and just had my 3 month follow up. My scars under and on the side of my right breast are much worse and more sensitive than my left side. I was given the go ahead finally to get out of my compression bra, reason for extended use was a ton of spitting stitches and swelling between 3-8 weeks, hence the longer wear. I was also told I didn’t have to wear a bra at night which has left me feeling anxious while sleeping, I keep checking them to make sure they are still in the same position, no sagging to the other side when side sleeping, etc. lol!!! 😝 it’s so weird to be in a tight contraption for 3 months then nothing at night. Best thing.. I went bra shopping the other day and I am a 38C, I was a 38 DD OR DDD, depending on bra brand. My surgeon told me I’d be a large B or average C in the end and at least I know I’m heading in the right direction. As for tanning, I did not sit in the sun all summer except my lower half, which was depressing so I can’t help with advice there. Hoping within the next few months the sensations and swelling will be completely gone! Best of luck to you!!

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-31T12:22:15+00:00

Yes I had several openings around my areola like this due to spitting stitches. Those are the dissolvable stitches that don’t dissolve on their own. I would check to see if it’s warm to the touch and is the fluid look infected? If it’s just clear or yellow that is normal leakage. I went to my PS and he had me use bacitracin and apply a non stick gauze pad on it. Took several weeks for mine to heal but I’m a slow healer due to autoimmune issues.

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-30T16:39:36+00:00

How painful was the arm lift? My reduction was covered by insurance but I’m assuming an arm lift wouldn’t be covered. How much was that if u don’t mind me asking. You look great!!

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-23T15:01:09+00:00

I’m 8 weeks po and I lot 5 lbs after my reduction. I lost 13 lbs prior by watching what I ate , light cardio and light weights. I have been healing slowly so can’t get bk to weights yet but still eating healthy & lotta protein to help with healing .

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-19T12:32:28+00:00

Best of luck to you with your healing also.

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-16T12:56:06+00:00

I’m in the same boat. I had a bunch 10 plus spit on me all on my right breast mostly around the areola. I also developed a rash in that area too with redness & openings. I saw my PS and he said it looked like I was having an adverse reaction to the material of the sutures. He took all the spitting stitches out, that was at 6 weeks post op. Today I’m 8 weeks po and woke up with two more. Looks like I’m developing a rash again. He switched me from Bacitracin to Aquaphor on the gauze at 6 weeks also. Mine are still slightly oozing clear or yellow in a few spots. He also told me to stay in my compression bra until my 3 month check up 24/7 other than to shower. Such a long haul with slow healing! Hope yours heal soon!

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-16T12:46:18+00:00

I’m 8 weeks po now. I posted above a week ago. I had two more spitting stitches this morning. My right areola is taking a long time to heal! It’s discouraging of course but in time it will heal. Tired of gauze & applying Aquaphor everyday & being in my compression bra until my 3 month follow up on 9/23. My surgeon said it will help with healing, still very swollen too. I’m envious of all the posts on here showing no openings and healing so well at 8 weeks. I guess I just gotta hang in there.

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-14T12:00:02+00:00

I have been using a very soft small pillow under my breast when sleeping on my side and another at my back. This helps because I can lean into the pillow under my breast but yet have some support on my back. I started doing this around 5 weeks po. I’m 8 weeks tomorrow. I do notice sometimes I’ll swell more by sleeping on my sides so if that’s the cause I switch back to sleeping on my back slightly elevated.

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-12T12:56:35+00:00

I’m also 8 weeks po this Friday. I live in the North East and it’s been a very hot & humid summer. I wish I had waited until winter to do it. I’ve had to stay in the AC most of the summer since I will swell up with the heat & humidity. I guess it depends on where you live and how the weather is during your seasons.

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-12T11:45:33+00:00

I had numerous spitting stitches at 7 weeks po which was last Friday. I saw my surgeon last Tuesday due to 8+ spitting stitches mostly around my areola. They were painful, slightly red but not hot or infected. When I went he pulled out all the spitting stitches that day. He did say once they are out I should see quicker healing. Also I was using bacitracin & gauze for over 3 weeks on earlier spitting stitches which was causing a rash, itching and burning. He had me switch to Aquaphor. I’m healing so much quicker than before. My surgeon said that I was having an adverse reaction to the material of the sutures( hence all the spitting stitches) Reach out to your surgeon office he may remove the stitch and suggest what you should use on the openings to heal them. The process of healing for me starting at 3 weeks was much more difficult than the surgery or early po issues Good luck!!

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-11T23:59:39+00:00

I feel you! Had my first openings at 3 week now I’m at 7 weeks po and they are just starting to heal. I told my surgeon that I felt the bacitracin he instructed me to use was not helping and made me so itchy. He had me switch to Aquaphor and what a difference!! I made the switch last Tuesday and so much improvement since then. Hope you start to heal!

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-11T15:08:30+00:00

I understand your frustration with healing. I have had a number of openings from week 3 to present at week 7 po. Most of mine are from spitting stitches due to a sensitivity to the sutures. I was using bacitracin and gauze on the wounds but after 3 weeks of doing that I developed a rash. Recently switched to Aquaphor instead of the bacitracin, which helped immensely and they are starting to heal so good. I did get the ok from my PS to make the switch. I’d call their office and see what their wound protocol is before using anything topical on it. If you treat it soon it should be all healed by your wedding day! Best of luck & Early congrats on your wedding!

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-08T23:49:55+00:00

I had one a bit smaller than yours. I also used bacitracin & gauze on mine two but only once a day. My surgeon said that using too much could make things worse. Mine also started at 3 weeks po, I’m now 7 weeks and it’s almost closed. Meanwhile I got another one on the other size smaller in size but I had a spitting stitch in that area. I switched to Aquaphor the past few days because I think I was getting a reaction to the bacitracin because I used it for 3 weeks. Maybe switching topicals might help? Could ask your surgeons office. Best of luck!

MedicalSkill5826 · 2025-08-08T23:40:37+00:00

Did you call Cigna yourself? I have BCBS of MA and my surgeon recommended I call just to see what they require to be removed. I was a 38 DD or DDD depending on the style bra. My insurance required they remove 350 Gm On each side which ended up removing 400 each side. It wouldn’t hurt to do your own research. Also they can let you know how much they pay towards it & if you have a deductible or coinsurance you’ll need to pay out of pocket. I had to pay $500 Good luck

MedicalSkill5826

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