Just passed my third leak test with flying colors. Will be home by tomorrow night. Feeling good. Will write more later.

Dr. Aceves had me do Clear liquids for 10 days; full liquids (tomato Soup, Protein shakes with milk (very thin); oatmeal (thinned), SF pudding, etc. for 10 days, then mushies for 10 days, then soft solids ... because of the issue I have with a spasming esophogus, he had me stay on mushies even longer.

So I think you'll be fine to start on full liquids next week - probably now actually -- 10 days on clears for me started the day after my surgery. If you had your surgery on 9/15, then 9/16 + 10 is 9/26. You'll feel better once you're on full liquids.

I hope so I am tolerating a couple of slow ounces of thin strawberry whey shakes by jay robb, oddly strawberry was the only flavor I did not try pre op when I immensely enjoyed my shakes. Now I can tolerate them in strawberry only but barely. I am hoping that I can try some jarred baby food next week like bananna, and maybe some totally blenderized chicken, a smidgeon of mashed potatoe, pulverized green Beans? Beans?Carrots?:patriot: If they are near pudding consistancy maybe my surgeon will allow? I gotta tell ya I am so hungry even as I sit here sipping my strawberry whey ...

Is farina, and thin oatmeal full enough? Couscous in a blender???

LANK are you on an acid reducer? If not ask your doctor for one. That might be contributing to your hunger.

what acid reducer are you guys doing post op?

Nexium. Works like a charm. Dr Aceves gives his patients a two week supply, plus a prescription for more which I purchased at the pharmacy next to the hospital. Very cheap in Mexico....1/5 what you'd pay in the USA.

I take 1 20mg Prilosec daily. It has worked like a charm.

Prilosec doesn't come in a chewable or liquid does it?

I don't think so. Mine are capsules, and I've had zero issues with them for the last 2 months.

Are they prescription or over the counter? I haven't seen the capsules- you just open up the capsules or do you swallow them?

I take protonix. They are very tiny pills. I have taken them since 3 days after surgery with no problems. They come in generic so my doc prescribes them for me to take twice per day. I only take one per day, but that way I get 60 pills for $10. My ins. will pay $10 for any generic prescription.

I took Nexxium, but now my insurance won't cover it, so I take Prilosec - was taking 20 mg but that didn't do the job, so doc upped me to 40 mg and that seems to do the trick.

The pharmacist told me if the capsules were to difficult to swallow, that I could open them and sprinkle them in some applesauce. So far, I haven't had too much trouble getting them down - the 40 mg are much larger than the 20 mg.

Are they prescription or over the counter? I haven't seen the capsules- you just open up the capsules or do you swallow them?

It's prescription. I swallow them easily with a swig of water in the morning. I have learned that if I exhale real big before I take the drink of water the pill goes down a lot easier. It maybe psychological, but I exhale fill up the back of my throat with water, drop the pill in, and swallow. I walk around the island in my kitchen then take another swig of water. Ha ha ha now y'all know my morning ritual. I haven't had to open the capsules at all, and don't think I could handle swallowing the Prilosec laced applesauce.

It's prescription. I swallow them easily with a swig of water in the morning. I have learned that if I exhale real big before I take the drink of water the pill goes down a lot easier. It maybe psychological, but I exhale fill up the back of my throat with water, drop the pill in, and swallow. I walk around the island in my kitchen then take another swig of water. Ha ha ha now y'all know my morning ritual. I haven't had to open the capsules at all, and don't think I could handle swallowing the Prilosec laced applesauce.

Do these medications help with that feeling of air stuck in the center of the chest, and/or a sort of cold feeling coming up the esophagus? My doctor gave me a prescription for Pepcid ac which ended up being a chewable over-the-counter remedy. I am seeing him tomorrow and wonder if I should ask him for a prescription for something better as you all are suggesting here.

Do these medications help with that feeling of air stuck in the center of the chest, and/or a sort of cold feeling coming up the esophagus? My doctor gave me a prescription for Pepcid ac which ended up being a chewable over-the-counter remedy. I am seeing him tomorrow and wonder if I should ask him for a prescription for something better as you all are suggesting here.

Exhaling before sipping definitely helped with that reverse bubble effect. That's what it felt like for me the 1st couple of weeks. I would sip, and get this little bubbling up from the tummy into the esophagus, and it felt like air. My surgeon explained that it would go away with time, and it took about 2 weeks. I never had the cold coming up the esophagus.

I think Mac explained it best. Pepcid will take care of the acid after it's formed, Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix, and other PPIs will prevent it from becoming a problem.

Cajun, to be honest, I didn't even bother attempting to get my protein in until I was on mushies. I just tried to concentrate on getting enough fluids.

As far as acid, I left Mexico with a three month supply of Nexium. When I ran out, I tried going without anything, but my body disagreed. So, I take the otc Prilosec as well, and it works great. Even at six months out, if I miss one day I have major acid reflux.

Umm I have to look at what I take. I take one in the morning and one at night. I open the capsules and drop the little balls right in my mouth with some water. They don't taste bad. I will look when I get home.