Dencha

Hi there!
Yes, I did have my follow-up on Thursday. I asked him about the bougie, and he told me, "56 French", whatever that means. I need to post an update of my post nissen progress, and I will, but this weekend I'm doing report cards, which are really time consuming. As soon as I'm done with them Ill go into more detail.

Just quickly, my swallowing/stomach is improving greatly, and I'm pretty much able to eat anything, as long as I eat slowly and chew thoroughly--no new news there. I'll post my question and answer session with my surgeon once my work load is lighter.
Thanks for asking!
Hope you're enjoying your eating! Last I read, you're doing GREAT! I worried about you a bit when you first had your surgery and had so many swallowing problems. You're a good example of how "this too will pass!"
Take care!
Denise

Hi...
I was wondering if he did the 56 on me because I'm 5'10"--taller than lots of men. I can see them making a different choice for a petite little woman--that I'm not.

I asked him a bunch of questions, but I can't find the paper and I must have deleted the file, so I'll try to remember. I'm 7 weeks post nissen:

1. I asked him how much weight I could lift..he was a comedian...
"How much could you lift before surgery?" So I guess I'm okay to use my own judgement.

2. Any activity limitations?
None

3. Eating?
He said that I can eat anything that I chew thoroughly. Even steak, he said, can be chewed to a liquid. On the other hand, mashed potatoes can be swallowed in a big "bolus", and cause problems.

4. Alcohol?
No problem...(I'm not drinking more than a few sips of beer, because my stomach is just recovering from gastritis, so it's more a stomach issue than wrap.)

5. Why do I feel full so quickly after eating just a small amount?
He said it's because the swelling causes a stiffness, and that stiffness makes you feel more full than you actually are. The resident I spoke to after surgery, said you lose about 15-20% of your stomach capacity with the surgery.

6. I asked him about the effect of coughing on the hernia repair...
he said that "even water can erode stone". He said that there is a cumulative effect of coughing, straining, etc., that will eventually weaken the repair. These things are unavoidable.

That's all I can remember right now, but hopefully it answers some of your questions.

Don't worry, I'm not nearly as adventurous as you are as far as eating is concerned!
I have eaten nuts, though...they are very easy to chew to a liquid. That was a little adventurous, don't you think?
Eat and feel well!
Denise