Eating problems after hiatal hernia & nissen fundoplication

I had the surgery February 16 and am finding that I can eat most foods now, carefully, except "dry" fish (salmon steak, tuna fish) which gets caught. The only way to rid the discomfort is to walk it off. And, yes, stay hydrated.

@lisalucier
My surgeon said it usually takes about 3 months to heal. He is concerned that I’m losing weight quickly and is worried that I may be dehydrated. He mentioned dilation of the esophagus. I’m supposed to call him in 1 to 2 weeks to let him know if anything is better. My surgery was complicated because I had most of my stomach, some of my colon, and some of my pancreas up in the diaphragm which was also pressing against my lung. Also my surgeon had to add 6 inches to my esophagus. Considering all that I am feeling mostly fine except for the eating/drinking issue

Hi @lorusogirl - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Having to constantly burp to help food go down would be a bit tiresome, I imagine, and maybe not what you'd prefer to do in public, ultimately.

Glad that otherwise you are feeling okay.

Have you gotten to discuss the issue with getting food and drink to go down with your surgeon? If so, what did he or she say?

I am 5 weeks post hiatal hernia and fundoplication surgery. I struggle with eating and drinking and need to constantly burp to help food or drink go down. Anyone else have this problem? Other than that mostly feeling ok

Welcome to Connect, @mnogueiras. Your comment says you are one week postop from the same surgery. You included a comment, “Qbn also”.

I am tagging @qbnbgirl for an update after creating this discussion about having hiatal hernia & nissen fundoplication procedure 10 months ago. How are you doing @qbnbgirl

mnogueiras, when did you have your procedure and how are you doing?

Me too
Qbn too

Me too! One week postop. Qbn also

@jlharsh
I had the same surgery December 18 and I had to have it redone two weeks later on the 31st. The reason I had to have it reached on as we had a swallow test done because I was having the same trouble and determined that the Whole, which is in the esophagus, opening was too small it wasn’t much bigger than a straw opening so if you feel that this is taking too long, I would ask for another swallow test to make sure you are not having the same problem. Now my experience was I was choking on my water and some food, and I would have to spit it all back up because it would not continue to go down. Good luck. I hope you get it settled down.

Don't beat yourself up for over eating that one time. I think a lot of us that have had any of the various surgeries involving the stomach have made that mistake. The pain it causes will make you promise your first born to never endure that pain again. Just remember the first year is the healing time. My surgery was in April and it does get better. Be kind to yourself! Wishing you a gentle recovery.

Good day everyone, thank you so much for all this helpful information. I sympathize with each of you who are having ongoing struggles post LAP fundoplication & hiatal hernia surgery😔. My toupet fundoplication & hiatal hernia surgery was just a week ago, 12/1/25, so I am still in the initial healing phase, but have many concerns. I have- or had?- too soon to know if surgery successful- LPR/ laryngeal pharyngeal reflux (aka Silent Reflux) vs regular GERD; acid goes all the way into my larynx & pharynx & I've procrastinated over 20 years to address surgery; trying to help myself with alkaline diet, etc. My hiatal hernia was 1/3 of my stomach pushed through diaphragm, which was much more than my Gastro surgeon expected based on my last 2 endoscopies. I have long suffered with COPD, & air-trapping in my lungs- supposedly from acid, per my Pulmonologist. I developed Pleural Effusion after my surgery, causing my oxygen levels to drop, so was kept 4 days in the hospital & sent home with 2 breathing apparatus & inhaler. My fear is messing up the surgery. My intestines are still not working, though I'm drinking MiraLAX & prune juice, & trying hard to stay hydrated. Coffee tastes awful anymore- which may be a blessing- & I have don't really have an appetite, but am eating very small amounts of pureed foods. Culinary is my background, so healthy cooking & baking is my passion. Sunday I atetoo large a serving & suffered greatly for that with excruciating pain throughout my chest, shoulders, esophagus, gut ... my body wanted to vomit, but I could not. Hours later, with self care, things settled down a bit. So I hope & pray I haven't messed up the repairs 🙏. I don't know yet my long term prognosis, seeing my Gastro surgeon & Pulmonologist next week for post-op. All of your sharing is so helpful, & I hope by this late date of my own response, that each of you are on a better road to healing🫶