I hope I will be getting alot better as time goes by 1 week I had surgrey tomorrow

Alexis,

Take a deep breath.  You certainly had a reason to have the surgery.  You're just one week post op, and you can't eat normally.  Really?  Did you think you'd step off the operating table and move directly to eating the same as you did before the surgery?

You need to be realistic, and look at the big picture.  You WILL be able to eat normally again.  You've just had your upper GI tract revised.  Your stomach has been stretched and wrapped and stitched.  It hasn't even had a chance to heal.

During the first two weeks your wrap becomes increasingly swollen, so your swallowing becomes more difficult before it gets easier.  That's why your doctor has put you on liquids.  He/she doesn't want you to eat something that might get stuck and give you some trouble.

I'm trying to understand why you're frustrated.  You've had a surgery to repair a problem that has been interfering with your quality of life.  You certainly can't expect that there won't be a recovery time.

Relax.  Surrender to your recovery, and follow it where it takes you.  If you can go with the flow, and accept what is, things will be a lot easier.  Give your body a chance to heal.  In the end you'll be very happy with the results.

Hang in there!

Denise

Thanks guys I apperciate all of your stories I am kinda happy I had this done cause right now I don't feel heartburn and have not taken meds in 3 days trying to deal with a little pain cause I don't need to get backed up from pain meds. Thanks again everyone Alexis

Great input also Kitt.

Alexis-

Please post anything your are feeling. We are here to help and for you to lean on if necessary. I realize this can be overwhelming because the docs don't really understand what we go through, but we do. My PCP has asked me several times for my info in this surgery because he is thinking of it and he even doesn't know what all in entailed in the recovery. He too has only really read about the horror stories and said after talking to me he is really leaning towards getting this done. He just doesn't know about being away from his practice for any length of time.

Take care,
Bill

Hi Alexis,

That's what we hang around this forum to do!  We remember how hard the recovery was during the first couple weeks, believe me! It gets better...just hang in there.  We're here to offer any help we can, and to provide lots of support!

Try not to stress...just relax into it, and go with the flow! It'll make it much easier on you.

Happy Healing!

Denise

Hi everyone, I was just wondering how long you were alll a liquid diet not sure if I have to be on them for a month or longer if someone in here could tell me I would really apperciate the help. Thanks Alexis

Lex-

After a week I was eating soft foods. My surgeons weren't very strict about the diet, just told me to go slow and go back a step if things start get sore.

Take care,
Bill

Hi Alexis,

Like Bill, my surgeon was very liberal with his diet expectations.  I guess he had trust in his patients to eat sensibly and with care.

I was on liquids in the hospital, and went home on soft foods.  At Day 6 when I visited my surgeon he told me I could eat "anything that could be chewed to a liquid", but warned me off of steak, bread, and sandwiches.

I never blended a thing during my recovery (I had a 360 wrap, too), and just took tiny bites with lots of chewing.  My mouth/teeth were my blender.

I had put all this liquid and soft foods away in preparation for my surgery, and I never used most of them. 

It never ceases to amaze me how different surgeons are regarding their eating protcols.

Good luck!

Denise

Postsurg jan20, You will swell a lot during the first 14 days, peaking at day 14.
Swelling will go down slowly after that.