Hi Kirsten,Do you have some diarrhea along with your gurgling? I didn't have constant gurgling, but I did get it from time to time, and when it came, it was loud. I remember sitting in a meeting and people were offering me food, as they thought they were hunger sounds. I always knew that at some point after the gurgling started, I'd have diarrhea. Fortunately for me, it wasn't immediate, so there was no problem with running to the bathroom. The gurgling subsides with healing.
Are you taking small bites and chewing your food until it is a liquid/creamy consistency? If something you are eating doesn't chew completely, don't swallow it, as that's what will get stuck. If something gets stuck, sip some warm tea or lukewarm water. Eventually whatever it is will get down. (I spoke with my surgeon about this, and he said that only once was it a problem for one of his patients. A patient swallowed a large chunk of grisly steak, and he had to go in to remove it via endoscopy. He said no steak or untoasted bread for about 8 weeks.)
Have you tried cooking in a Crock Pot or slow cooker? Everything gets thoroughly soft after cooking it for hours and hours. The flavors meld, and it's very tasty.
Pasta is one of those things that can be very hard to chew to liquid. If you want an Italian dish, try crepe cheese manicotti. It's easy to make and the crepe vs. pasta is a dream to chew and swallow.
If you're chewing to a liquid, your mouth is acting as your blender, and solids shouldn't make any difference. Anything that doesn't disappear on chewing, can be deposited in a handy paper napkin. Don't swallow it. Actually there is a huge variety of foods that chew completely, but it's trial and error. I understand the pain of spasms when something goes down that isn't chewed completely. Been there!
Whenever your wrap or stomach react to the next stage of eating, listen to them. They've been through a lot, and need to be babied. Try the chew to disappearance method and see how that works. The chicken may not have been tender/soft enough for you. Experiment with what works. You'll find something.
Preshis,
You're very likely still having swelling, which is making things harder to swallow. I remember drinking water and having it sit at the wrap site and then slowly drizzle down. Even now, if I chug water it can get backed up a little at the wrap site, but it's not a problem.
Remember to chew, chew, chew, and if whatever you're chewing doesn't disappear into a liquid/creamy consistency don't swallow it. Small sips, no iced drinks. Listen to that stomach of yours. If it's upset with you, try to understand it has been through a lot. Your stomach was stretched and wrapped and stitched. It has a right to complain! Healing takes time, but it will happen.
Hang in there, both of you...it gets better!
Happy healing,
Denise