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I would sure like to hear some responses, experiences about post-surgery eating. I got my pre-surgery packet today. In the info about post-surgery eating, it talks about clear, then soft, over the first few days, and then by the 5th day regular food. Is this your reality? This info differs greatly from the info I printed off this site, from a US hospital; their guidelines phase in eating over at least a month.
0 likes, 11 replies
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JoyAsh donna15310
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donna15310 JoyAsh
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ducky1 donna15310
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After my hellers myotomy I was only allowed soft pureed/ sloppy
food for six weeks and gradually introduce normal food.
But still have to avoid some things like some bread and certain meats
and was also told never to try and eat steak ever.
I would often have fish which is easy to swallow but be extra careful
about bones.
One thing I can't advice enough is buying something called a moulli ( not sure how to spell it )
I put mince through it and it ground it down small enough to eat but
it still held it's texture making it look pallatable.
I still use it occasionally when I am having trouble swallowing.
donna15310 ducky1
Posted
Thank you for the information. Is what you suggest some sort of appliance, like a blender? I just bought a hand-held immersion blender today, and it purees food like a charm. My food at lunch 'stuck' for a very long time today and it was uncomfortable. The now-pureed food goes down a whole lot better, with water of course.
robert76159 donna15310
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I was clear liquids for 2 days after surgery. Then soft foods for 10 days. Then slowly as tolerated bring back foods you enjoy. Eating slowly, chewing like crazy and small bites. I was eating pizza 3 weeks after. It sounds like you know your body pretty well. Do what feels right . You'll be great .
donna15310 robert76159
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So, how long has it been since your surgery? Are you back to eating normally, whatever that might be? Are there foods that you would suggest that are 'off the plate' forever?
robert76159 donna15310
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donna15310 robert76159
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JoyAsh donna15310
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AlanJM donna15310
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There are some experiences of people's eating in A Patient's Guide to Achalasia that you can download from the website of the Oesophageal Patients Association under The Oesophagus and Achalasia (towards bottom of page).
?I think it is likely that everyone is a bit different and it will depend on the details of the procedure, but in the first days after the surgery you will need to have very soft food because there will be some inevitable internal soreness and swelling. This should reduce after some days, but the general rule would be to play safe and veer towards soft and liquid food rather than risk anything too tricky to digest. It seems to be the texture of the food that counts, so avoid things with skins, like tomato, meat with astringy texture and white bread and rice that is likely to congeal. There is an analogy with things that tend to build up around the drainhole of the kitchen sink. I think those rules would probably apply indefinitely after the surgery.
Eat little and often and do not continue to swallow if the previous mouthfuls have not progressed past your chest into your stomach.
?I think that progressing gradually has to be the best advice. You will have to re-learn what you can and cannot eat safely. You also have to give your body time to recover from all the stress it has been under with the condition and then the surgery. Try just one mouthful only of something that you have not had before until you are really sure, after 20 minutes, that it has been OK.
donna15310 AlanJM
Posted
As usual Alan, you give excellent guidance, thank you. I have printed out that Patient's Guide you suggested a while back, and it differs so much from what I received in my pre-surgery info. Perhaps there is more to come after the surgery is done. I do think what you have written is the 'wise' way to go. Again, I appreciate what you share on this site, it has been helpful.