Will I ever be able to eat again?

[TudaTank2 28]

I am 3 weeks post op and I know that there are stages of eating before you get back to eating regular foods. So I get all of that but it seems like the only stage that has worked for me was the clear liquid stage. During weeks two when I advanced to thicker liquids I didn't do well and now that I am supposed to be doing soft foods (forget about it)!!! Everytime I eat (even when chewing and eating super slow) I feel this lump in my chest/throat and it is beyond uncomfortable...actually it is painful. I am going to contact my NUT tomorrow morning but I'm just wondering if this is something that anyone else has experienced and if so how long before it went away, if ever??

[IcanMakeit 1,318]

I'm sorry you are going through this @TudaTank2. No doubt about it,the first few weeks post op are not fun for just about anyone. I didn't have any pain associated with eating during that time, but I had so much nausea that I, too thought I would never feel well enough to eat again. Now, 11 months later, that brief period is just an unpleasant memory.

Go ahead and talk with your surgical support team just to be sure, but they will probably tell you that what you're going through is in the normal range of the healing process. As the next couple of weeks progress, you should find yourself feeling better and better until you feel so normal that you'll almost forget how uncomfortable you were.

[Big_Mama 511]

I did. What I actually did was go back to just liquids and did that for 2 weeks, then full liquids for two weeks, and soft solids for 3 weeks, before advancing to solids afterwards. I actually had misunderstood the process. My Dr required 2 weeks on each stage before advancing to the next, and I moved on to full liquids before I was ready, and had to start over because my tummy just wasn't ready.

[Stephanie Stroup McIntosh 157]

You may just be very swollen still or you could have a blocked stoma. Talk to your doctor.

[Bluesea71 698]

All I can say is milk this time while it lasts. It's during this time that you have the opportunity to lose the majority of your weight. I just celebrated my one year anniversary (at goal!) and I can assure you that there will come a time when will be able to eat whatever you want again. Your tummy is still swollen and will be for awhile. Now the real challenge begins.... Because I can now eat and tolerate whatever I want! I wish for those days when it was tough to eat post surgery!

Edited April 20, 2015 by Bluesea71

[Kimcamm 102]

I have that. I noticed it comes when I drink too much or too fast and if I eat too much or too fast. I had a hernia repaired and my doctor said it had to do with that and the esophagus. I will be 3 weeks post op tomorrow and it has gotten less and less over time. Hang in there it's going to get better.

[TudaTank2 28]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your replies!! @@Bluesea71 I agree, right now the weight is falling off and that is nice!

@@Kimcamm my surgeon had to repair a hernia in or near my esophagus too.

@@Stephanie Stroup McIntosh I will make sure to call my doctor today too because it does still feel very tender and swollen.

Thanks again everyone!!