A Little Freaked Out

[Danellk 0]

I am 8 days post op and feel pretty good. I am on the puréed food stage. I have been reading the forums on here and about the leaks. I am know really freaked out about getting a leak. Are leaks common? What is the best way to avoid one? Please help me calm down about this.

[MinaT 669]

Leaks are not that common, sometimes they happen, nothing you can do about it.

All doctors are different and all have different protocols. I was on full liquids for 5 weeks. I was told this was to help prevent leaks. My surgeon wants to avoid leaks at all costs, I went to pureed food for a week, then soft food for a week and then it's regular food. First 6 weeks are the biggest chances for leaks*!

Make sure while you are on pureed food, you puree the heck out of the food. Don't overeat. If you can only get in 1/4 cup of Soup that's it. I am 7 weeks out and I really don't get much more than 1/4 cup of food or two ounces at one sitting.

At 5 weeks when I tried tuna, I didn't puree it enough and it felt like it was getting stuck between my esophagus and my stomach. It hurt. When it did get down, I ended up with two pains, one inside my stomach and again it felt like I had food caught in my esophagus and stomach. This was only 2 teaspoons.

All people are different though. I was on clears still at 8 days out. If purees is too hard for you, go back to liquids, I still do purees and soft food though I'm allowed to go on regular foods. It's still a bit too hard for me.

Best of luck to you.

Edited July 25, 2012 by MinaT

[SugeilyMunoz 6]

I felt the same way i start my soft food tomorrow and is my 14 day out. It freaks me out just thinking about getting a leak but lets hope it does n't happen to us. Becareful on what u eat if u don't feel comfortable don't try it. Good Luck sending positive vibe ur way.