OK, like a light switch, I went from stage 3 to liquids again last week. It's OK I mean I am back to protein shakes and all that but I just feel as though I won't ever be able to get anything down, any time I try anything remotely solid, I feel full, then burps, hiccups and then it has to come out. Dr said this is a stage where swelling is apparent and keep pushing but I just don't know what to think. Yesterday I had some vegetable soup and even than came back up, well the small amount of soft carrots, etc. Tell me this is "normal" and it gets better?

As ridiculous as it sounds, one of my big fears is Christmas, I have to, MUST attend this fancy dinner where I will need to order food and be social, at least looking like I am eating something. I know that is a long way out.....

if you're sure you're eating slowly enough and this keeps up, call your surgeon again. It doesn't say when you had surgery, but strictures are not uncommon when you're 1-3 months post-op (they're pretty rare after the three month mark).

Are you in pain? Feeling overly full even when not eating much? I had severe strictures and ulcers after my bypass. Couldnt keep food down either. You should get checked for a stricture. Keep us posted!

I should say that liquids are ok, I can eat a tub of greek yogurt with no issues, so my surgeon doesn't see it as a problem until I can't tolerate liquids even. Until then they are in the wait and see mode that it could be stenosis that heals itself. It's just tough. I will keep an eye on it of course, just sick of liquids.

Things like tuna, chicken or turkey, mashed potatoes have not gone so well.

I believe stenosis and stricture are the same thing. I haven't heard that they can heal themselves - they usually keep getting worse until they're stretched, but of course your surgeon would know way more than I do...

How much are you eating at a time? No more than 1/3 of a cup? Tiny mouthfuls, chewed 20 times, wait 30 seconds after swallowing for the next mouthful? ( sorry not trying to be patronising just checking)

It's odd that you have no probs with yoghurt but didn't keep the soup down which does sound like you didn't chew the bits in it or perhaps had it too fast.

8 hours ago, Bastian said:

How much are you eating at a time? No more than 1/3 of a cup? Tiny mouthfuls, chewed 20 times, wait 30 seconds after swallowing for the next mouthful? ( sorry not trying to be patronising just checking)

It's odd that you have no probs with yoghurt but didn't keep the Soup down which does sound like you didn't chew the bits in it or perhaps had it too fast.

Last night I tried the soup again and it stayed down, chewing better of course. I also had a slice of cheese that stayed down. So maybe I am just eating too fast or too much at a time. I am going to keep experimenting with slow and small bites and see.

Don't do cheese right now. Stick to super soft or pureed. If soft carrots start coming back up, then puree your soups and stick to liquid phase. Then test again in a few days. It's probably inflammation.

In my experience with a stricture, even water was pretty impossible to get down and stay down.

Glad it's better today!

Also, when you have a rough day, then the next couple of days afterward, you should go back a stage and take things easy cuz your anatomy will still be inflamed from the original problem.