Recovery from open myotomy

The first few days after my open cricopharyngeal myotomy surgery were the most difficult part of my recovery. After spending two days in the hospital for monitoring, I was eager to go home, but also nervous about managing my pain and dietary restrictions. The incision on my neck was sore and I had to take the prescription pain medications round the clock. Talking was also difficult, as my voice came out hoarse and quiet.

The pain and discomfort slowly improved over the next week, although it was still a challenge to eat and drink. I was limited to a liquid diet, which consisted mostly of water, broth, protein shakes, and pureed soups. Swallowing any sort of solid food was impossible during this stage. Taking small sips and eating slowly was crucial to avoid any choking. Clearing my throat also caused sharp pain around my incision. Coughing had to be avoided completely.

After two weeks, I worked my way up to soft, pureed foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and bananas. My voice became less hoarse but was still raspy if I talked too much. The pain was manageable without medication at this point, though I still had numbness and tightness around the incision. Bending my neck too far in any direction made the tightness worse.

By the end of the third week, I transitioned to soft foods like scrambled eggs, pasta, and well-cooked vegetables. Being able to chew and swallow more solid foods was a huge milestone. I had more energy as I was able to eat more substantial meals. Only certain foods gave me trouble swallowing, like bread, rice, and meat. I had to eat those very slowly and take small bites.

It took about a full month before I could eat a normal diet again. Even then, I still had to be mindful of chewing thoroughly and drinking fluids with meals. My voice, neck mobility, and swallowing ability continued improving with each week. Follow-up visits with my doctor and appointments with a speech therapist also helped me make progress.

Though the recovery was slow and difficult at times, within a couple months after surgery I was able to enjoy eating again without significant pain or limitations. My cricopharyngeal myotomy greatly improved my ability to swallow comfortably, making the extensive recovery process worthwhile.