Question:
should i be scared ? i can t eat any thing.

I am actualy glad i was told about this site. i had my surgery on 6/26/03 and it seems that the only things i am able to keep down are mr freeze its- or any type of froze liquid. Tomato soup is ok but cream of wheat and chicken noodle soup w/out the noodles doesnt work for me . Last night i was starving but every thing i tried to eat seemed like it would just get stuck half way down my throat adn any thing that actualy went further hurted ,so i would make my self throw it up .Any suggestions on what to try ? I came back to work after 2 weeks but now i m feeling like i need somemore time to deal with this emotionally and i dont want to sit home worring about eating .What should i do?    — KENDRA B. (posted on July 16, 2003)

July 16, 2003
I don't know your situation, but my mother-in-law and I had the same problem. Her dietician watched her eat for a whole day. The dietician said she was putting "too large" amounts into her mouth at one time. She gave my mom a baby spoon and now she is doing fine. I had the problem when I started eating soft foods. I take smaller mouthfuls now. Seems our eyes and stomach have different ideas about what a small portion size is.
   — M B.

July 16, 2003
Speak to your surgeon. Although it seems a bit early, it could be a stricture. I had one at 10 weeks and was told that 6-12 weeks is the "usual" time for one but if you are not keeping food down you need to make sure you are only taking tiny pieces and chewing them up well. If you are, then call your surgeon immediately.
   — susanje

July 16, 2003
Hi Kendra: You sound just like me....Mine started at about 3 weeks post op and at 6 weeks post op, I had a severe stricture....They put me to sleep, numbed my throat and when I woke up 1 hour later, I was in NO pain and could swallow. I have had no problems since. CALL YOUR SURGEON...I had to be hospitalized for 3 days prior to them scopeing me because I was VERY VERY dehydrated. Don't fool around with waiting.....Give doc a call.....it sure can't hurt.....
   — Joi G.

July 16, 2003
Sounds like what I had... which was a stricture at 3 weeks out.Actually they found 2...I was told that strictures can happen any time but in most cases it will usually start to become apparent around 3 weeks after surgery because thats about the timeframe it takes for the tissue or scar tissue to form enough... to cause enough narrowing which causes the discomfort.
   — jennifer A.