Just thought I would share an update on how I am doing, as I know this post will benefit those who are still preparing for surgery (I was reading everything all over this board leading up to my surgery as well!)

I had surgery last Tuesday, Jan 24th at 8:30am. I was in the hospital for one night. My surgeon keeps most patients two nights but I was walking, drinking, passed the leak test and tolerating puree 24 hours after surgery so he gave me the option to stay or leave. I have been on a puree diet for a week now. I eat four times a day. The first meal is a protein shake and then other three are 3-4 oz of low fat pureed protein (chicken, tuna, greek yogurt or cottage cheese). I really don't feel much hunger, and if I do it's usually in my head. Because I have to eat so slowly, sometimes I even forget to finish something and then it becomes a chore to get it done (definitely a different behavior than I am used to). If I eat something too quickly my chest gets tight, so I have slowed down even more. I have been blessed that nothing has made me sick yet. I did have nausea at first, but my surgeon gave me a prescription to control that. The first few days I was also having esophageal spasms and stomach cramps, and I even had to sip my fluids very very slowly. My surgeon said these were normal symptoms and they went away after a few days. I am able to get my fluids in more comfortably now. I did end up with constipation so I had to take some milk of magnesia, but no big deal. I have been walking every day since I got home. The first few days I would have somebody take me to the grocery store with them and I would walk around pushing the cart (it was cold outside!). This week I have been going to my gym everyday and walking slowly on the treadmill for 30min. All in all, it was 4-5 days after surgery until I felt back to "normal" (excluding eating of course).

Best wishes to all those who have an upcoming surgery and to those who already had their surgery and started the next chapter of their journey!

Glad you are doing better after your surgery Sounds like you had a great experience with your surgery.

AHHH nice to hear a good calming story! My co worker had hers done the 23rd and has had a few problem, but nothing too terrible thank goodness. Makes me feel better since it's my turn on the 6th!!! whew coming up fast! doing my liquid diet now.