Hi guys!

So I'm just at 9 days post op and I just started to introduce protein shakes/thicker soups back into my diet. It takes me *forever* to eat, though, and every time I swallow what little bit I do put in my mouth, I get this weird pain/nausea/heartburn in my chest/upper stomach area. I take small, slow spoonfuls and space them out time-wise.

Anyone else experience this or anything like it? Any tips?

It may be too soon for you to transition to thicker liquids. I had that happen early on and waited a few more days to start those foods. Your stomach is still very swollen I would imagine.

Normal reactions. Thin out the liquids and swallow even tinier sips. I could only swallow a teaspoon of water at a time at that point. If it hurts, you are advancing too quickly, no matter what the post-op "plan" says. Healing of all those tissues takes months.