Cocobean, i didn't have food stuck that long but everytime I ate something even if is was just some soggy eggs, it got stuck. it didn't go down and i had to go cough it up. so i had to do liquids for that extra month or so. i too had a hernia repair and my doctor said that was part of the problem. once the swelling went down from that i guess, i was all good then. bread is a no no, i have found that i can eat it toasted with a little butter though. and i sure do miss it. I am 7 months post opt and i can't tell you how good i feel. I lost 33 pounds, so far. i haven't had any fills or adjustments. sometimes i still have the stuck stuff, like the other day i was eating somethning and i had to stop and go cough it up because it wouldn't go down but the key here is to chew, chew, chew,. no drinking while u eat. if i don't do anything else right i got that part locked down. well good luck with everything.