Hey Max!Congratulations on setting a date for your surgery. It's similar to my situation. I met with the surgeon and had my Nissen 3 weeks later. I also had my surgery in February three years ago, and remember well what you're going through.
You have done everything you need to do to be prepared and ready for a good recovery experience. I'm sure your eyes are wide-open and you're ready for whatever happens. Like you, I went into the surgery knowing what to expect, and I was actually prepared for it to be much worse than it was.
Attitude is everything with this recovery. If you can surrender to what is, and follow the path your recovery takes, you'll find the recovery much easier. Just take it one day at a time, and allow your healing to progress. You can't rush it. Just go with the flow!
I went home on soft foods, and was switched to "whatever can be chewed to a liquid" after my follow up visit with the surgeon on Day 6. That protocol puts more responsibility on the patient to make good choices and chew food thoroughly, but it makes the recovery a lot better in my view. It allows for a much wider variety of foods. If whatever you try doesn't chew to a liquid, deposit it in a handy paper napkin.
We'll all be thinking of you on the 6th. That's my son's birthday, so it'll be easy to remember. We'll look forward to welcoming you to the Wrapped Club!
Very best wishes!
Denise