Hello Katherine,

My daughter had the surgery when she was 6 years old. How old is your daughter?

My daughter had to eat slowly and carefully to prevent gagging and choking after the surgery. It helps to keep to a liquid diet as much as possible. Rehydration drinks, liquid nutrition drinks (Pediasure, Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast), homemade shakes and smoothies. are wonderful. Smooth thick foods are also good. My refluxer was a world class picky eater so we had challenges finding liquid or thick foods she would be willing to eat.Mashed potatoes, pureed soup, mashed avocado, sweet potatoes come to mind.

She felt well enough to eat table food. However, a regular diet caused the most problems. Even when I chopped everything as small as possible and sat next to her to ensure that she chewed long and slowly, she still choked at first.

Chewing slowly, eating small bites and eating frequent small meals really helped.

let me know if you need to know more about surgery or follow up after surgery.

Jan Gambino

The Reflux Mom

www.refluxmom.com