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Stuck Food Post Wrap

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Posted 12/26/2013 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

Just came across this site. What a bunch of great information. I wish I found it prior to my surgery.

My surgery was 8 weeks ago today on Halloween. My surgery went well and my recovery has been in line with what most have experienced...slowly incorporating a normal diet into my life w/many meals in moderation and lots of chewing. I have been eating alot of the typical soft foods with more solid foods incorporated into my diet around week 4. I was able to increase my activity slowly with biking around week 3 and now I'm able to get out about 4 days a week and feel good after.

I feel like I have had food stuck in my esophogus for 5 days now since eating half a sandwhich with wheat bread (and being precautionary I didn't eat all of the bread). I have still been able to eat like I have the past several weeks but I constantly feel like food is stuck in my esophagus and liquids seem to hang around too which causes me to swallow all of the time. This of course is worse overnight and in the morning. In the past when I felt something was hung up, soups would generally clear things up. I've tried soup a couple of times and I still feel like I have a clogged drain in my esophagus. Does anybody have any ideas that have worked best for them?

For my normal active lifestyle here in Alaska, this post surgery life style has not been very fun. It's comforting to see Im not the only one that has had a lot of ups and downs. With some of the stories I've read I'm doing pretty well. This thing is just going to take PATIENTS!

Regards,

Chad

 

Posted 12/27/2013 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi flyfisher,
I was glad to find your post as it explains EXACTLY what I am going through as well. I am 8 weeks post op - had a paraesophageal hernia repair with no nissen fundoplication. I understand this "clogged" feeling slowly goes away over the months ahead of us but I haven't really found much information. I will keep searching and perhaps we can share what we learn with each other.

One thing I have noticed is bread items causing it more than other items. Tortillas, Pitas etc...
LakeRat
Posted 12/27/2013 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
LakeRat,

Hate to hear you're having similiar issues. But, it's kind of comforting to know I'm not the only one. I had a slight hernia with the nissen done. I've had the clogged feeling a few other times and they only lasted a day or two. This one is getting old. I haven't been able to find much either. I'll do the same and share what I learn.

Ive been able to eat tortillas, enchiladas, toasted breads for a few weeks without any issues. So, I thought a little wheat bread would be ok. No so for me though.
Posted 12/27/2013 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
I am also 8 weeks post op and experiencing the exact thing you are! My surgery was Friday November the 1st in the morning. Unfortunately this is requiring all kinds of patience. I feel a whole lot better with the reflux.. not perfect but loads better. I have to eat very slowly and especially drink slowly too. I'll post and share more later, I'm at work still. Might be a day or so actually, I need to drive back home from Toledo to Akron later.
Posted 12/27/2013 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the discomfort blog...with 3 of us now, I actually think we will all slowly get better as our esophagus "adjusts" to the new tighter self. My heartburn is gone as well so that in itself will be worth the wait. Just chew chew chew...and be patient. That is about all I can find on the internet. My surgeon didn't really say much about it either so it has to be a fairly normal phenomenon. Although it is not something I wish on anyone, I am glad to know it's not just me!!
Posted 12/27/2013 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I'm another one, a month out of Nissen surgery and have experienced the food stuck feeling too. I immediately throttled back to a "softer" diet & it didn't happen again. As much as I love fresh bread, I am not planning to attempt even a bite for at least 3 months. I think bread may be your problem. Everyone's different.

I was able to "flush" the stuck food with lots of fluids. I think the feeling was worse than the reality, but it is uncomfortable, painful even. I sometimes have spasms which are painful too, even feel like I might choke,
but they pass too.

All up, I'm really happy with my Nissen results.

Yes, patience, remember to chew (puree your food yourself before swallowing) & don't forget to walk or do some exercise.


turn Cary
Posted 12/27/2013 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Some things to remember with nissen recovery is that soft bread and solids meats are the last 2 things to introduce back into your diet.

Toasted bread and round meats are okay as they can be chewed to a liquid. Chewing things to a liquid consistency is very important. If something gets hung up drink some water and feel for the food to go through the wrap. Sitting up very straight or walking also helps this go through.

Drinking something warm before sting also helps to loosen things up some and can make it easier for food to go through.

It can take up to 6 months or so for this to get better. It depends on how tight the wrap is and how well it is healing. If you challenge the wrap to much it can swell and extend the time.

Take care,
Bill devil
Posted 12/28/2013 9:55 AM (GMT 0)
I'm about two and a half months out right now... I still get stuff stuck left and right. It doesn't hurt like it did in the first couple weeks, but I can feel water getting hung up there when I drink with a meal.
Posted 12/28/2013 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for the info. Sounds like I'm not the only one with these issues in this stage of post wrap recovery. I just need to keep plugging along with this slow transition back to a normal diet.
Posted 6/19/2019 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hey 907flyfisher I just had this exact same experience, had a barium swallow and it showed the darn piece of steak that got stuck, it has gotten better, but im on day 4, and feel like its getting better each day, what was your outcome? did it eventually pass on its own? or did you need an endoscope to get it out? (my doc is suggesting this, but im not sure its that big of an issue)
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