Excessive belching after esophageal stricture repair

Hello @kaptainkat. As a fellow coffee lover, I can imagine wanting to hold onto that ritual and tradition, especially given the warm memories of your father.

Was this a planned outcome of your stricture repair surgery? What did your doctor tell you post-operation with regard to how best to handle your new circumstances?

I imagine the Dr. knew what the outcome would be, but I hadn't a clue.

I'd spoken with him before about the situation, and he said 'We'll have to see what we can do about that.' I was having rather strong chest pains, that after two years of MRIs, x-rays, and lord knows what that PRIOR to the 'procedure' that ended up as esophageal discomfort.

Some of THAT persisted, and he has me on nifedipine and double the typical omeprazole dose. I guess the N is supposed to work on blood pressure as a way to relieve 'pressure' in general. My cardiologist has me on Crestor and low-dose aspirin, but says 'You have a good heart'. Right leg circulation is a bit stronger than left, but not enough to compromise an artery.

The Dr. and I were in a tele-call when I let one rip. That got his attention.

After a two month wait for an appointment, and over an hour in the waiting room, he explained that this is it. There isn't anything that can be done. And he is alleged as the 'best of his field' in 'the Valley (of the sun).

The spin? I have a note from my doctor for inappropriate behavior at a dinner table.

Over the years I've had several dilatations to widen areas of scar tissue in my esophagus and I have experienced that same side effect. I have realized that eating small amounts of food more often, "grazing' has helped me. As for coffee, I have had to finally give it up, but before I did, I found that Taster's Choice instant coffee was the only one I could tolerate with the acid giving me instant reflux. Sadly, even that simply isn't worth the acid, which just hastens the damage and the need for another dilatation. For holidays or meals out with friends, I usually drink an ensure or similar meal replacement and take just a taste or 2 of whatever is served without having hunger pangs. The bright side is that the belching did dissipate over the years, but I hope you find a life strategy that works for you.

I have tried ensure, but there is something that just misses the mark.

I spread my three daily cups of java over several hours. I like the taste and feel of it and ANY temperature, including ice cream, but scalding, when it is too hot to taste.

All I am eating now is Progresso chicken something soup - spirals, homestyle noodles, etc. and poached/soft boiled eggs.

And I dunk inexpensive cookies in my first cup of coffee while I read the comics and do the crossword.

I heat the soup to boil - 8 minutes - and then let it cool for 15 minutes so I can be SURE to not need slurp ANY air with it. Ditto with the cooling coffee.

ANY bending or twisting from the waist results in a raucous outburst.

I did want to include that I only have half a can of soup at a time.

Small amounts.

And I need to watch my posture while sitting, ere I enable a bad flow.

It'll start with a bit of dizziness in my head. It proceeds to a flush and then a sweat. Now I am sitting up and leaning forward to open the passage as much as I can, and the eruptions occur. And after a few moments, all is quiet and 'normal', although sometimes it does sort of wipe me out that all I can do is go and lie down for a spell.