I just had Nissen Wrap and not doing well.

Hello Denise,

Thanks for replying .  The liquids seem to go through ok but anything else is a no go.  Tried some whip chicken and cranberry and it

just did not move for a very long time. Then I am in so much pain, I cannot drink anything else.

I am trying but it gets harder and  harder.  I will try again today.

Thanks Denise   Jean from Manchester NH

Hi Jean,

Did your surgeon think that it's okay for you to be on only liquids?  He/she may think it's normal protocol.  I do know that many surgeons keep patients on clear liquids for a couple of weeks, then full liquids for a couple of weeks.  Be sure to give a call tomorrow when the office opens and see what they say.

Good luck!

Denise

Did you ever try the tiny bites and chew to a liquid routine?

Hi Jean,

You're on Page 4 of your own thread right now.  Just click on the "1" at the bottom of this page and you'll be back to your original post.  Then you can scroll through all the pages one by one, by just clicking each number at the bottom of the page.

Best wishes,

Denise

 Starry,

When you eat how much do you eat each time.  I can

only get a bite or two.  I am trying mash potatoes whipped up

real loose and some chicken but the last time I did this

it did not work.  Maybe I am eatting too much.

Let me know

Thanks Jean

Starry

I am trying for sure.  But not sure what I am doing wrong.

The diet the doctor gave me has so much on it and there is

no way I am even close to it. 

Thanks for your reply and please let me know how it is going.

Jean

Starry

 I can swallow but one hour later it seems to be

stuck in middle of my chest and a lot of pain.. like

the eggs it took the next morning to go through. Christmas

eve after I ate, whipped chicken one hour later a pain

in the middle of my chest.

I can swallow it is what happens later and I am calling that

stuck or hung up.

Thanks Jean

Starry, so if I put a cracker in milk and soften it up

I should be able to chew it to a liquid??  I do not

think I could do it dry.

I called the office of the surgeon and the nurse

was nice but did not do much. Seems once they cut

they are kind of done.

I have a call into them again today, to see what I am

doing wrong.

Thanks andlet me know Jean

 

Jean,

I have ben reading your posts and you sound even more freaked out than I was.  I had my nissen and two hernia fixes on August 16th.  The biggest part of my problem was not relaxing and eating.  Bill and Denise really helped me with that.  At Christmas I had prime rib, salad, baked potato and a biscuit.  However, it has been a slow progression.  You will get there just slow and easy.

You do eat the crackers dry; that way they will chew to a liquid in your mouth and believe it or not they do.  I use to do crackers and cottage cheese together.  I also did grits, yogurt, rice krispees, puddings, soups, soft cooked veggies, applesauce.  I took my time when I ate.  I still can only eat a small portion of what I use to eat before surgery.  For example, I can't eat a cheeseburger and fries now.  I can eat the cheeseburger but just a small amount of the fries.  I also found if you put jelly, gravy, etc on things it will help you relax because it goes down easier.  I am rooting for you.  Keep trying:)

Ryobe

Hi Jean,

Ryobe has given you some wonderful advice.  Yes, as she said, a dry saltine does indeed chew to a liquid and is easily swallowed. Actually, crispy things chew to a liquid well.  Well-toasted bread actually chews to a liquid well.  Of course crunchy things (salad, raw veggies), on the other hand aren't so good, so stay away from them).  Be sure you eat all your vegetables overcooked, and stay away from gassy ones.

I do think she has a point as far as the relaxing when you eat.  You may be over-thinking the whole thing.

This is what you do:

Take a small bite (I mean SMALL) of something--try Ryobe's suggestions.  Then you just chew, and chew, and chew, until it basically disappears.  It'll be a creamy liquid and ready to be swallowed.  It'll give your chewing muscles a workout, but if you keep the bites very small, and chew, chew, chew, chew, chew, you can't go wrong. 

If by chance you happen to choose a food that doesn't chew to a smooth consistency, deposit it in a handy paper napkin and try something else!

I could not eat even close to a cupful when I was at 20 days.  I'd fill up with maybe 1/4 cup.  As the swelling in my wrap/stomach subsided I became able to eat more.  It's a very gradual process.

My surgeon told me I could eat ANYTHING that could be chewed to a liquid.  He didn't even give me a list.  He just expected me to experiment and try a variety of things and trusted that I'd use my good judgment.  He was right.  I did, and really didn't have any problem.

That said, when swallowing at your stage, it can be painful at times, as your esophagus and wrap are still healing.  Cold drinks are also tough, as they can cause some spasming of the esophagus, which is uncomfortable.

Hang in there, Jean.  it will work!  Try to relax and trust that the food will go down.  The pain doesn't mean it doesn't go through...it could just be a tired and healing wrap.

Take care,

Denise

 

Hi Jean,

We're glad to be here for you!  Yes, you can try toast...just be sure that it is well toasted and crispy.  Take a very small bite (tiny) for starters and just chew, chew, chew.  Sips of water, juice, or tea might help you as well.

You can do this!

Denise

I ate a lot of mashed potatoes and cream of wheat. Eventually I could eat white fish that was very soft.

Hi Jean,

My doc actually mentioned the possibility of getting a "bolus of mashed potatoes" stuck.  That's why he prefers the chewing to a liquid routine.  You just have to face the fact that you are going to lose weight.  Everyone does.

Small amounts of food all day, with Ensure or something like that in between, is the best you can expect for a while.  Worrying will only make things worse. 

Do you have a GI doc?  If so, give that office a call, and see if they can offer some guidance.  I did as my GI nurse who was responsible after surgery, and she said it was a little foggy...that they take over a lot of the care, but the surgeon still had some responsibility.  Try the GI office and see if they can help you feel more comfortable.

Nobody can fix this for you.  You just have to practice with food, eat little bits frequently, and allow the healing to occur.  It will happen.  Don't worry about it.  You're making some progress.  Just keep it going.

Surrender into your recovery...just relax and let it happen.  You can't fight against it and make it go any faster.  It is as it is.  If you can relax and stop worrying, things will go better.  Worry can definitely inhibit swallowing and digestion.

You can do this!

We're here for you...

Denise

I can not remember how far out you are from surgery but the anesthesia will affect your sleep patterns. My sleep patterns were totally off and the nurse told me it was normal. It took weeks for me to get back into a sleep routine. Honestly, I was a wimp at eating at first and I only ate soft foods - yogurt, pudding, grits, cream soups, cottage cheese, ice cream, juice bars and smoothies. I didn't try things like mac and cheese until almost a month out or more. I waited 4 months before trying steak and salad and it did well. I remember not feeling hungry at all but I still ate a little every hour. (I also have to gain weight. I am waiting for a double lung transplant.) It will get better. Take it one day at a time.

Jeanae