What Will I be able to eat after Esophageal Banding?

[19samantha81]

Hi everyone! I am new here, but not new to Liver Cirrhosis, diognosed in 2014. I'm apparently on the fence on compensated and DE-compensated, with portal hypertension and these varices veins. Although next week. I have Esophageal Banding taking place under general anesthetic (due to them trying to do it under local 3 times). I cant tolerate the camera going down my throat and gag so much they can't do the procedure. So next week I am blessed to finally have the banding done. I am absolutely terrified of hospital procedures. Aside from all that.

I am wondering what eating will be like after banding? They have found numerous Grade 3 Varices in the procedures I've had before, that they ultimately couldn't band because of my very bad gag reflux. That was last year so they have probably got worse.

Will I be able to eat normally after? Shall I just order a few extra soft foods and my normal grocery delivery? Will it be dangerous to eat certain foods?? Like spicy foods or fizzy drinks? Hot, cold?? I'm just so nervous about it. Thanks for reading. Any input or advice will be great!! I appreciate any tips on helping the procedure being a success before and after! Thank you. God Bless xx

[AyrshireK]

Soft foods definitely for a good few days though if you had banding then sadly everything - even fluids are likely to make you wince a bit.

Hubby ate lots of eggs, porridge, soup, yoghurt, rice pudding, mash and fish in butter sauces and such in the early days after his banding sessions (he's had 42 done). He can't tolerate any sort of citrus and vinegary stuff at any time due to changes in his oesophagus and has never been a spicy food eater though I imagine it could prove a bit nippy if you've just had banding.

Certainly never advised against eating anything in particular but soft diet pretty much essential so as not to dislodge bands and also for ease of food getting past banding site.

Best wishes with it.

Katie

[19samantha81 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you! I was just going through my shopping at tesco. com and was looking at fish in butter bags , I'm definitely adding that now!! Thank you for your advice. That helps me. I'm going to make sure I order just bland stuff then. Perhaps just go day by day and not keep thinking too far ahead. 🙂

[cammeag in reply to 19samantha81]

Hi Sam. Nothing to add to Katy’s post except soups are fantastic for all the goodness and taste etc. I make quite a few of my own as the tinned ones are basically salt with a few bits of meat and veg thrown in. Sounds like your struggling and worrying about op. Truly hope you will come through fine, no, I’m sure you willl. Please keep us updated on thing’s. Take care.

[19samantha81]

Thank you! I just ordered a veggie steamer and a george foreman grill for veg & fish. Put some mash on list, eggs, cheese, chowder soup, natural yogurts and some smoothies, lots of milk for ready break or mushy cereal. . I know we have to watch our sodium intake. I live alone, so my diet is normally just microwave or oven food. There will be no takeaways or spicy food, no fizzy drinks for a while. Will do me good. I will let ya'll know how it goes. Hopefully if others see this, they will know its going to be OK. I just got to stop worrying. About every little thing... Overloading myself, like an avalanche of terror and fear keeps coming over me. Totally irrational anxiety stemming from childhood illness and well, reading too many horror stories online. That's why it's nice to have found this resourse, you all seem so nice. . My goodness, what all these millions of people going through with way worse healthwise. I need to quit being a baby lol Blessed that we have the NHS. truly. Xx

[AyrshireK in reply to 19samantha81]

Generally for your health you want to try and prepare as much food from scratch. If you are buying pre-packaged microwave or oven meals they are salt laden. Processed foods aren't great at all.

[Hidden]

Hello and a warm welcome to this forum, glad to have you with us. There is nothing quite like first hand experience to guide and reassure you. I am sure you will continue to get good support from fellow forum users.

regards

[BearWood2]

I tend to make home made soups and blend them to baby food consistency and I stock up on protein shakes and any other soft foods.

[Gerbera01]

Hi there, yes, just soft foods, healthy foods if you can. It's a small price to pay for a wee while. Better off without those varices hanging around. You will feel so much better in your self knowing they've been dealt with. Good luck, you'll be fine.

Kate

😀

[utep99 in reply to Gerbera01]

After the surgery and the level of work, they must do they may suggest a soft diet for after the surgery for one day.