in alot of pain.

Dr.'s instructions vary, but I'm very surprised that he said you could eat regular food. My instructions, if I remember correctly, was liquids or very soft foods for 4 - 6 weeks; you're only 2 weeks out and you're probably pushing it.
It is not unusual for people to feel depressed after this surgery too; you wonder if you've done the right thing, or have you really screwed things up!
I think you're pushing food and that is aggravating the already swollen esophagus; this is a major, major, surgery and you have to allow yourself time to heal.
If you're not taking any meds, you may try childrens motrin, this will help with the inflammation and swelling.
I don't quite understand your statement about having a tube down your throat, but my sense is that you've moved to quickly with your foods and you've probably aggravated the esophagus.

Hi Sissy,
Welcome to Healing Well! So glad you've joined us. You're now a member of our Wrapped Club!

Unfortunately, doctors tend to send us off with very little guidance. That's why sites like this are so helpful.

You are now approaching the most swollen your wrap will be. I'm not sure if your doctor told you, but your wrap becomes increasingly more swollen over the first two weeks. At the two week point your swallowing is probably the most difficult it's going to be. Don't panic. This too, will pass.

I also had a surgeon who released me to solid foods once I saw him at the five day mark. Surgeons have different eating protocols. Many will say liquids for a few weeks, then soft foods, etc. However many others will tell you that you can go ahead and eat solid food--with the caveat that it is chewed to a liquid.

Personally, I was very happy with the eating protocol I was given. My surgeon said that some soft foods can cause more problems than solids chewed to a liquid. He mentioned a "bolus of mashed potatoes" that can get stuck at the wrap site in early weeks.

He told me not to eat bread or steak, but gave me the responsibility of making good choices.

If you take small bites, and chew, chew, chew, until whatever it is you are eating is a full liquid, you'll be just fine. The main thing is small bites. Don't swallow anything that won't chew to a liquid.

Surprisingly, crackers and toast chew nicely to a liquid. Just experiment.

Most importantly as others have said, take it easy on amounts, and understand that your upper GI tract has been revised, so it is very inflamed and swollen. Don't worry. You will get better. Don't focus on the bad things right now. Get your mind thinking of other things...read a good book, watch TV, invite a friend over for a visit. If you sit and feel sorry for yourself (we've all been where you are, believe me!), you'll just feel worse. Don't let your mind got there. If it starts wandering into negative territory, turn it right around!

Glad you've joined us. You'll get lots of support and answers to questions here. This place was such a godsend as I recovered from my surgery.
Take care,
Denise

  thank you so much for answering my post, and yes it has really frecked me out. cause my dr said that most of the swellin would be gone after the first few days. tue will 2 weeks since my surgery and like i said i just feel like i have a big knot in my throat. i still am careful about drinkin or eatin anything that is hot or cold cause he said it will cause spasms. plus i have been have severe back pain since my surgery. im used to havin back pain cause i have a rod in my back from my shoulders down to my tail bone cause i have scoliosis, but this is just a different pain like i have been liftin weights. it hurts to take a deep breath. is me bein depressed normal?

Sissy,
I was thinking of you, and hope you're feeling better tonight.
Denise