My doctor has bumped me up to stage two diet, which is puree. But I haven't gotten past regular soup. Everything else hurts. It feels like it's getting stuck and then the tightness is excruciating. I'm so hungry.

Slow down and take smaller bites. Even smaller than you think you need to. The tightness will go away, sooner rather than later.

and if you know it's GERD, are you on a PPI (Rx)?

The same thing happened to me when I ate some soft flaky fish. I ended throwing up and feeling went away. You just have to be careful with what you try. I was able to eat some meatloaf that was smothered in gravy and smooshed into a paste, but there was still some heaviness in my chest. Just take small bites. Good luck to you.

Maybe start with Greek yogurt or pudding. That seems to go down really easy for me.

I am only on puréed less than a week and it seems that every time I start something new ( refried Beans, ricotta cheese, eggs) it was so heavy. Tried again in a few days and fine

and if you know it's GERD, are you on a PPI (Rx)?

Yes But the Meds contain lidocaine and it makes me very sick.