krisnchris ****New Member****

Hello Krisnchris!
I'm glad to hear you are goin well after surgery.I wonder why you did this surgery...which was your "stomach situation"...which were your synthomps...did you have an ernia?gastritis?esofagitis?what?
I would like to Know because I'have been suffering with my stomach for too many years....and I would like to feel better...though I am very scared of surgery!!!!FEAR!!!!
Let me know!
Bye from Italy!

Hi Krisnchris,
Welcome to the "Wrapped Club"! There are a lot of members here who can support you through those first few weeks and months of recovery. I had the surgery in February 2009. My doctor was also comfortable with my starting solid food right away. I was on liquids in the hospital, and went home on soft foods until I saw my doctor on Day 5. I don't think it would have mattered if I started solids right away, but he wanted to talk to me first.

The main thing is to take small bites and chew chew chew until whatever you eat is in liquid form. Stay away from things that won't chew to liquid. It's so much more satisfying to eat real food...chewing is half the enjoyment. Stay away from bread (toast and crackers are better). To be honest, when I was at your stage, I thought my bagel eating days were over, but now I'm just fine with any type of bagel. The main thing is to remember that your days of swallowing unchewed food are over.

Soda is an interesting issue. I was under the impression that it was out of the question, but there are several people here who were hooked on it and have found that it can be tolerated in small quantities. I think it would depend on how tight your wrap is. Soda is highly carbonated, and those bubbles cause gas that can build up if it has no outlets. Some have opened a soda and sipped it all day...others let it go flat then drink it.
I'm not a soda lover--water is my favorite all around drink, but I have had some soda since the surgery and have been fine.

I enjoy beer, and have found that although it has bubbles, it's not as carbonated as soda. It is no problem.

Be sure to eat slowly, because if you forget and swallow something fairly whole, you might run into a problem. Someone here described it as a "hair ball" that has to be coughed up...not to worry...it'll come up and you don't have to worry.

Getting on the treadmill is a great idea. I started just like you, and increased time and speed as I recovered.

Try to keep busy--read, watch TV, etc...if you can relax into your recovery and let it lead the way, you'll do much better.
We're here to support you, share our experiences, and answer questions if we can.
Stick around! We're happy you've joined us.
Take care and heal well!
Denise

Hi Kris,
Although Alcie's famous surgeon recommends clear, then full, liquids for the first several weeks, I would think you'd want to follow the advice of your own surgeon. While I know in years past patients were kept on liquids for weeks, many surgeons have modified that protocol, finding it unnecessary. Personally, I found it a much more pleasant recovery to be able to eat more normally than I'd expected (albeit much, much less).

I was very careful to chew, chew, chew until things were liquid, and I had no problem at all. I healed well and have have done really well. I had the surgery to improve the health of my lungs, and have had excellent results. Although my wrap/hernia repair were challenged by a tremendous amount of coughing until the surgery worked its magic, I recently had a barium swallow and the hernia repair and wrap are still in place and working fine. I have a few little quirks which may be the result of all that coughing, but honestly, I couldn't be happier with the results.

You do need to remember what you're doing when you eat--don't do a lot of talking (it introduces air into your stomach), and might make you forget to chew in your the new (careful) way.

Glad to hear you're doing well.
Stay with us!
Take care,
Denise