Question:
lump in my throat when I swallow

I am 7 weeks post op and ever since surgery I have this weird lump in my throat when I swallow. I am having no trouble eating or drinking (though I tend to notice it the most when I am drinking). It doesn't "hurt" it is just soooo bothersome. It is at the back of my throat and it feels like a wad of something is just stuck there and won't go down, but nothing is stuck. I did tell my surgeon about it, he said it could be irritation from the tube in my throat during surgery. I think any irritation would have healed by now. He did not seem too concerned as long as it was not keeping me from eating or drinking (which it is not). Anyway I was just wondering if anyone else experienced anything like this and how long it lasted. Or if anyone has an idea of what could be causing it. As always, thanks in advance!!    — Faith B. (posted on August 30, 2004)

August 30, 2004
Girl, I know EXACTLY how you feel!! The first WEEK after surgery I felt like there was a flap of skin in my throat that just would not go away... it made it so difficult to breathe in the Incentive Spirometer because every time I felt it I would GAG... my surgeon also said the same, about it being an irritation from the tube... after a week and a half it went away, but for that first week and a half, I couldn't walk or do any type of heavy breathing without gagging. All I can say is that it does go away... but I know that when you have it, it SUCKS!! The sensation will be gone soon.. just try to keep your mind off of it (easier said than done, I know)
   — mars.renee

August 30, 2004
I too had something like this early post op. My surgeon suggested that it could be esophagal (sp?) spasms and told me to drink warm liquids. I did this for a few days and it did finally go away. Hope you start feeling better :) Christal 247/160/148
   — huggygrrl

August 31, 2004
Have you tried burping? Whenever I get that feeling in my throat, it means I need to burp. Now that the stomach is so small, if you take in any air when you drink or eat, it means that you will need to burp immediately afterwards.
   — Curious Mickey D.

September 1, 2004
The doctor is right. After my husband had surgery(different kind) he had the same lump. It is caused by irritation of having the itubation tube down your throat. It can last from 1 week to several weeks. It will go away. Try the warm fluids. Keep those spitits up.
   — Teresa O.

September 4, 2004
That happened to me too. I don't think it has anything to do with the tube since I still (very infrequently) have it after almost two years. Maybe once a month, usually when I eat beef, I will get that "lump feeling" in my throat. If I wait a few minutes before taking another bite, sometimes it will go away. Anyway, it will get better for you. I don't think anything is really wrong and that it's just one of those things you have to deal with but everything else is so wonderful, it's a small price to pay. Right??
   — Diane A.