First day after surgery - hurts to swallow?

[erinjoy777 0]

Hello out there, I'm new to this site. My husband had surgery yesterday. He only sucked on ice chips after he got home. He tried a couple of bites of Jello but said it hurt when he swallowed. I thought this might be because of the breathing tube. Today his voice sounded better and he said his throat doesn't hurt anymore, but his stomach is hurting when he swallows. He tried plain yogurt today. So he hasn't really eaten in two days! I'm a little worried....is this normal?????

[HeatherO 7]

It is definitely the breathing tube that causes the throat discomfort and most of us have had this issue.

Different people have different post-op diets. Mine was strictly Clear liquids for the first two weeks . . . and it was just sipping on them until it became more comfortable. He may not be ready for jello/yogurt and it might be easier to do fluids such as broth, low sugar apple juice, tea, Water, etc. It also helps in the beginning to drink things that are warm which go down smoother. Chamomile or mint tea were really helpful for me in the early days.

He needs to stay hydrated even if he can only tolerate small sips throughout the day. It helps to always have a bottle of something near so he can keep nursing it as much as possible. After another day or two and the swelling goes down, he will start feeling much better.

[Bamagal 1]

Yes it is painful and I was sore for a few days but I don't think he should be eating yogurt if he just had surgery yesterday.Was just clear liquid for 4 days Gatorade,Vitamin Water and Jello .Walk as much as he can take GasX and pain meds if you have them if not Tylenol and yes it comes in adult liquid.

[erinjoy777 0]

Thank you all I think we will try the opti-fast then!

[odizzydori 0]

If he is 2 days out from his surgery he should be on Clear Liquids until he is 4 days out, meaning crystal light and sugar free popsicles, then he should be on full liquids after that which means Jello, Protein Shakes and such, then 9 days out should be on mushy foods until about 16 days out.then he will be on a normal diet. yogurt is too think when you are 2 days out.

[avanderhoof 0]

If he is 2 days out from his surgery he should be on clear liquids until he is 4 days out, meaning crystal light and sugar free popsicles, then he should be on full liquids after that which means Jello, Protein shakes and such, then 9 days out should be on mushy foods until about 16 days out.then he will be on a normal diet. yogurt is too think when you are 2 days out.

Not all doctors have the same post op diet. I was only ony clear liquids the day of surgery and then moved to full liquids the next day. I was allowed low fat yogurt on day 2. I didn't have any of those problems though. My advice would be make sure you get some protien in somehow and call the doctor as soon as you can to make sure everything is ok.

I am newly banded, 1 week today, and I would call the doctor for any question that serious. Not being able to swallow is a big deal. I wouldn't leave the answer to that up to an online forum.

Sorry, that's just my opinion.

[erinjoy777 0]

yeah we tried opti-fast and he said his back is hurting now. I'm thinking it is the gas thing. If he's still having issues tomorrow we will def call the doctor but I guess it's clear liquids till then! The post-op diet we were given by the doctor said clear liquids on day one and full liquids by day two, but I guess he's not ready.

[jms462001 9]

Follow what the Dr says. My Dr had me include Protein Shakes every 4 hrs from day 1. I had a drink schedule which had a beverage for every half hr with 2 breaks a day!! Lots of fluids are important and he may not be able to drink much at a time, but needs to sip throughout the day.