Caffeine in moderation is OK. Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after surgery and/or if you are taking opioids.
Alcohol should be avoided within 24 hours after surgery.
THE DAY AFTER YOUR SURGERY – FLUIDS ONLY
Suitable fluids are: Water, diluted Fruit Juice, Milk or Milky drinks eg. Flavoured milk, Milkshakes, Fruit Smoothies, Ordinary Tea, Herb or Fruit Tea, Coffee, Milo, Bournvita, Hot Chocolate, Cordials and concentrates, Soup – strain or blend to remove any lumps.
Avoid fizzy drinks and alcohol. Some people suggest that caffeine and citrus juices (such as orange juice) are also best avoided. You can start eating a soft sloppy diet from the day after your operation.
Avoid carbonated drinks, alcohol, citrus and tomato products. When will I be able to eat a soft diet? After Nissen fundoplication surgery, your diet will be advanced slowly by your surgeon.
Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after surgery and/or if you are taking opioids. Once in awhile after surgery, patients struggle with Dumping Syndrome. Dumping Syndrome can make your stomach upset by causing cramping, cold sweats, dizziness and liquid stool.
For the first week, stay on a liquid or soft diet. This includes broths, soups, milk shakes, puddings, and mashed potatoes. When you can eat these without difficulty, try eating foods that are easy to swallow, such as ground meat, shredded chicken, fish, pasta, and soft vegetables.
According to the pH level, gin, tequila, and non-grain vodkas are the lowest acidity options; choosing drinks made with these alcohols will be best on your stomach. You'll be best served by a drink made with a light juice like apple, pear, or cranberry, but sometimes you just really want that kick of citrus.
The capacity of the stomach is decreased slightly and it doesn't distend as much until healing occurs. On average, our patients lose approximately 10% of their weight. For this reason, it is extremely important for patients to understand their protein and caloric needs following surgery.
Returning to your activities. You can do light activity within a couple of days of surgery. You need to avoid heavy activity for 6 weeks.
This is the name given to the most common operation to stop reflux. The operation helps to prevent vomiting and reflux by “wrapping” the top part of the stomach around the bottom part of the oesophagus. This tightens the oesophagus and prevents backflow of food and stomach acid.
It's normal to feel full more quickly than usual after your surgery. This is because your stomach is slightly smaller. Eating or drinking too much at once can cause discomfort. This should slowly get better over about 6 to 8 weeks.
Mixing the medication with alcohol may cause side effects such as fainting, headaches, vomiting, nausea and drowsiness, to name a few. We always prescribe antibiotics and painkillers after a procedure so we highly recommend staying away from alcohol for at least two to three weeks after the procedure.
While you're recovering at home after your laparoscopy, it's good to keep a few things in mind. These tips include: Don't drink alcohol or drive for at least 24 hours after surgery. You can bathe any time after surgery.
Effects of alcohol
The effects on your liver and immune system directly affect your body's ability to heal, which are particularly important after an operation. Your body's natural 'stress' response from having surgery may also be much greater if you drink to excess – and this may worsen any existing health problems.
I have found that most of my patients have excellent control of their GERD symptoms with a fundoplication wrap that still allows the majority of them to belch and vomit.
After your first 2 weeks, you can advance to a soft diet. In general this diet is Level 1 plus “anything you can squish through your fingers” but you can also start trying slippery noodles, white fish, minced chicken and soft, cooked vegetables that are chewed well. Take it slowly. Eat small bites, chew well!
Nissen fundoplication not only relieves symptoms of acid reflux, but it can also help prevent future complications—even for patients whose acid reflux symptoms are mostly well managed by medications.
Food and beverages with strong acidity can trigger your symptoms, so it would be best to avoid drinks like ciders, white wines, and citrus cocktails. These can be substituted for spirits like gin and tequila which have low acidity. Flavors and ingredients can also impact your acid reflux.
Wine is also a good choice, as it is low in alcohol and sugar. However, distilled spirits like vodka and whiskey are the best choices to avoid problems with acid reflux. They are low in calories and carbs and don't contain any sugar.
Alcohol can cause gas, bloating, and stomach pain, even if you don't have a digestive condition. Dry red wines, wine spritzers, light lagers, vodka, and gin may have less impact on your stomach.
The cramping and bloating usually go away in 2 to 3 months, but you may continue to pass more gas for a long time. Because the surgery makes your stomach a little smaller, you may get full more quickly when you eat. In 2 to 3 months, the stomach adjusts. You will be able to eat your usual amounts of food.
A laparoscopic fundoplication surgery to treat GERD or hiatal hernia is still major surgery and the patient and surgeon should think of it in that light.
Driving and Flying
Based on Civil Aviation Authority guidance we recommend at least 48 hours before flying after keyhole surgery or 10 days after an open surgical operation.