newbies

[Guest guest]

Hi Aileen, Vinnie and any other new 'lurkers' out there.

First of all, welcome and glad to see you found us. If I may be so

bold we are a HUGE resource of information and support - you have

come to the right place.

Also glad to see you both made the surgery decision. Surgery can be

very scary but most of us have had very good success and would

recommend it again.

I had surgery at age 20 - 17 years ago. I/and you will never be

perfect - but I'm good most of the time and can eat most of what I

want. I would say that I'm usually about 80-90% of normal - not bad

after 17 years.

I had my Heller surgery open and spent 6 days in the hospital but I

had a lapro gall bladder removal this past summer and it was a day at

the beach!! I only took the day of my surgery (thurs) that Fri and

the next week off of work, I was driving about 5 days post-op, I was

a little sore at my incisions for about 2 weeks.

Here's my personal soap box - PLEASE remember that even after you can

swallow well again and feel food going into your stomach that you

still do NOT have any peristalsis. You will need water or something

to drink and gravity FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. I don't want to scare

anyone but doctors are not the best at making us understand the even

after surgery - this is a lifelong condition. Trust me, you get used

to it. I don't even attempt to eat if I don't have some water near by.

Good luck to you both, ask LOTS of questions and keep us posted on

your results.

Happy Swallowing!

- in Va.