After 20 years of medication and a diagnosis of Barrett's - large area metaplaysia and areas of low grade displaysia I had my wrap done on July 29, 2011. The first few weeks were incredibly hard, my doc prescribed "soft" foods. Wow, that did not work at all, liquids worked best for the first two weeks. Be patient as even small glasses of liquid or even a soft boiled egg caused me to feel as full as Thanksgiving dinner. Dencha is correct, peek internal swelling occured around two weeks post surgery. The other advise "listen to your body" is correct. During the first few weeks if I ate something my body couldn't handle, I would foam at the mouth and my esophugus would spasm. I did not or should I say could not vomit but did spit up saliva for a few hours. (Sorry, I am THE worst speller). I found once I did start eating real food it was best to avoid liquids during my meals as they made me feel too full to fast. Also, protien shakes are great, but don't make them in a blender or a magic bullet as it will blend in air bubbles and create that too full feeling. The first 3 to 4 weeks were the worst, but do not fret. Weeks 4 to 5 I started to eat most foods again and was even excited about
some of the things I was able to eat (Cheese Doodles melt in your mouth and taste yummy) Almost 6 weeks out I still can't eat bread - but that's okay, I don't really miss it. I am thrilled to eat salad again. Yes, salad is not a problem - eat slow and chew chew chew. I was not overweight to start with but did loose 11 pounds in two weeks. You know your own body - go slow, stay with liquids full of protien and vitamins as you will heal faster. I went back to work 11 days post surger. I sit at a desk - my doc thought that was way too soon - hey, can't stand idiotic t.v. Also, got back to light excerise (precor machine) at week 3 - real slow and easy. The left had side incision was the hardest - at week four I was able to roll over in bed w/out any pain. Also, as silly as this sounds, once I was able to lay on my belly it was the best - it was like being a little baby - it made me burp up all the air. Speaking of the air - the first few weeks - nothing made that bloat go down - I chewed maloxx to no end - wasted my money - just give that time, it will get better. Discovered that caffeinated coffee aggravates my wrap, makes it hard to eat and drink for the day. I guess it just irriates the wrap - decafe is fine. Sorry if I am blabbing - just typing as I think of things. Good luck to all of you and thanks to all those who have posted, there were many success stories and words of encouragement that got me through first two weeks. 6 weeks and counting
