Food sticking

Hi I had my op 14 months ago and some foods seem to stick in my throat I had this problem initially and went for a stretch but was told I didn’t need one . Although things aren’t as bad as they were it still happens the obvious triggers are meat and bread does anyone know if this is always going to be a problem or is there anything I can do to improve things. My diet is limited as a lot of foods cause me to have stomach pains for instance sauces vegetables beans etc. I eat very small meals but it’s horrid when food sticks any help and advice would be much appreciated . My op was an oesphagectomy done robotically.

[kiddy]

Hi there, it should get better overtime. I was like that for a couple of years I can now say i only get it on occasions where I’m rushing to eat. It is a problem for a lot of people meat and bread so I wouldn’t worry. Chew chew chew. When I did have another endoscopy they could see the stitch in place but nothing sinister. I’m over 4 years post full Ivor Lewis.

Best wishes

Debbie

[Hidden in reply to kiddy]

Thanks that's reassuring I keep hoping it will improve I think because i.ve got used to it happening I don't know if it's normal or not. If I have a drink about half an hour after eating it seems to push the food down but if I drink to soon it makes it worse.

[New-beginning]

Hi Molly

I had my operation 9 years ago and had two stretches approx a year later. I still have food stuck if l dont concentrate on chewing well especially meat. The solution is to eat moist food and chew meat especially well it is so easy to swallow food in a social situation and not concentrate. Veg no problem usually , meats are always the main culprit bread can be a problem .

Take care.

[Hidden]

Hi Molly,

Same here. I also went for a stretch and didn't need one.

Smaller bites and lots of chewing. Bananas, rice, bread and meat can be tricky. It will get better! I am 3 years in. Plus certain foods take longer to digest. I also found acidic and spicy foods difficult, even temperature made a difference. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower

blow me up like a ballon. Never had an issue before.I don't like sugar but now I am craving it. I learned the hard way. My stomach was dumping almost every day. Now I try "new" foods on weekends, when I am not working. With new I mean items you were able to eat before. I like to eat some fruit with my meals, it helps to get a little extra moisture. We are in good hands here!

Learning something new very day.

[Hidden]

Thanks for your reply i.ve been on a gluten free diet for a few weeks now and I don't get stomach pains like I was before so i.ve maybe developed an intolerance to gluten I can't tolerate green veg the only veg i.m ok with is carrots. The same with fruits I think it.s the acid. I think it's a case of keep trying different things to see what works.

[Hidden]

It is a hit and miss...and it can be very trying. As you already noticed, your body will let you know what is OK or should be re-evaluate. At the beginning everything I ate, tasted like aluminum foil. I try over and over, then give it a rest. Few months later, again. Honeydew melon works for me, sweet, juicy and easy to eat. Right now I am on a Mini Ravioli trip. It's crazy. It will get better, I promise!

[Brud]

I chop all of my food into BB-size pieces, and eat them with olive oil, and have no problems with food sticking. It usually takes me an hour to eat my oatmeal, etc. with Ensure, and this avoid sticking because of the small bites and the time between bites. I eat NO BREAD BECAUSE IT ALWAYS STICKS. STAY AWAY FROM DRY/REGULAR BREAD. I am ten years out and have had no stretching for years, and I am still here. Avoid GERD foods, and rapid eating!

[Hidden]

Hi Molly. I had my op four years ago and still find some foods difficult to manage. However I can manage a much more varied diet than I could 14 months after the surgery. It is veryslow but steady progress. I used to have far more bad eating days at that stage. I still find that acid reflux makes swallowing worse for quite a while after a bad night. I can’t face red meat and doughy food such as pizza thick breads etc. I also have a very dry mouth and throat since the surgery and that doesn’t help. Moist food does though. I can manage spinach and broccoli for green veg. I can relate to the carrots! At 14 months post surgery vegetables still went straight through but that’s slowly improved. So I think your probably at a normal post operative stage but do seek medical advice if need to. I certainly did! Oh and enjoy the lovely weather!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh and I still get stomach cramps but not nearly as bad as at 14 months post op!

[smjones]

As you can see, everyone has different experiences. For me, after 4 years, I am managing mostly by devising a diet that works for me most times. Toasted bread is better than non-toasted, and just one slice. Sometimes cereal won't go down or just a few bites. I have had 5 stretches. Soft vegetables: cooked carrots, spinach, cauliflower, peas, but not broccoli, corn, or green beans. Anything fibrous seems to be a problem, like salads. Some days my stomach hurts with anything I eat. Meats in general are a problem, but chicken from a rotisserie, esp. dark meat, is juicier and I can eat small amounts. You do what you can and move on with life. I also developed a sweet tooth, as lots of things I can eat easily are sweets like ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese with mandarin oranges in it, rice pudding {but not rice}. Soups are a frequent menu item. Eggs. Fish, like Salmon and Cod. Good luck with your journey. We are fortunate to have medical help with this rather rare condition.