Hi there

I may be jumping the gun a bit but my son has been getting quite alot of food stuck lately but sometimes it goes down fine so we are a bit confused!!.. anyway he is booked in for a barium nxt week and his consultant said to pack a bag incase he needs a stretch… we are just wondering what to expect if he does?
How long would he need to stay in hospital for?? do they take a while to recover and eat again? is it a quick procedure?

i would be grateful of any advice thanks

Maryanne x

Hi Maryanne, my daughter has had two stretches. She was in theatre for around 45 mins I think, and was allowed home after 2 hrs as she had some milk and a bit of yoghurt when she came around. The tof cough was a lot worse for a day or two and she seemed a bit grumpy and sore but then she was fine. It is awful taking her to theatre and you will probably be upset but your baby will be fine.
Good luck.
lisa.xx

Hi Maryanne

How old is your little one?
My son max is 16 weeks old and has had 4 stretches.
Usually we go in and he has the op done the same day, then we are home the following day as long as his feeds go ok.
I have only once had to stay 2 nights, but that was because it was a bank holiday and he had his op on the weekend.

Op normally takes about 40 mins..and they are awake straight away and back on feeds within 2/3 hrs.

Like Lisa said, they have a bit of a sore throat and cough a little more, but that is to be expected after having things put down your throat i expect!!

Hope this helps?!

Shelley x x

Hi Maryanne

Devin is 13mths and has been having streches since he was 7mths every 4-7wks.

Being told to back your bag is a common thing for your first strech as they are not too sure how they react with the anestic now they are a bit older, but it is extremly unlike you will need to stay in.  We live 2hrs from our hospital and travel up the morning of the op it takes 15-30mins after the anestic has been given until the time they come around.  If they are awake enough you get to feed them straight away with milk.  Try and get you son to eat a youghurt or custard before you leave the hospital this way you will know if there is any problems and keep the pamol regular for every 4hrs for 2days this helps with the inflamation after having everything cramed down your throat.  You will have a nice cuddly little boy who will give you long periods of rest for these two days as he will be a little sleepy from the anestic.  You should be able to go home if everything is ok after 2-4hrs after he comes around.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask.  Big hugs to your son and dont worry.

Jo

Hi my little girl grace has had twenty six stretches, it usually takes around 45 mins, because grace usually goes on the afternoon list we have an overnight stay on the ward, she’s fine after a few hours. hope everything goes ok. xx
julie

Hi there
My son had his first stretch in nov,because it was his first stretch they kept him in over night-each hospital is different! he was in for 45 mins and all went well.We were allowed to stay with him,personally i kept him on first stage baby food for a week as i didnt want to irrate his stretch-he was fine after that.
hope that helps?!
Diane connors mum

Hi guys

Joshua went for a barium swallow today and all looked really well and no narrowing at all which we are very pleased about.

I asked the guy who took the xrays why his food was sticking and he said that alot TOF kids can have damaged nerves in the oesophegus around the repair and it makes the muscles less efficiant in moving the food down quickly. Im guessing this is happening to Joshua, cause last few days he has managed to eat toast etc again.
I think he is not liking the feeling of the food going down slowly and just decides to try and vomit it up. I try to encourage him to drink but at that point he is in to much discomfort to drink so he refuses it. im trying to encourage him to eat slowly and little at a time.
He is only 11 months so i also cant wait till the day he can tell me how he feels!!

Just thought i would update.

Thanks for replys

Maryanne xxx

hi maryanne
glad to hear joshua is doing ok,just bear with him and be guided by him its the only we have managed to get through with connor!
hear if u need to chat!
Diane connors mum

Hi diane

thanks for reply… we are so pleased there is no sricture but now i have another concern. For a while now J has been so crackly in his chest when eating, its only when eating and seems to go after a while. This has happened since his last General A. last feb for surgery as he was born with an imperforate anus. Its not really bothered him at all but today it seems somuch worse he sounds so crackly after food like someone who has a major chest infection but seems not fussed by it at all but its not going away this time after eating.
Its so hard to tell what it is as he has had it since feb with food, he doesnt seem ill so dont think its an infection, but can hear it with every breath. Its hard to know if its realated to TOF and with not having a stricure im confused!! Our doctor has not much knowledge on TOF/OA and i dont want to go up to the hosp incase im over reacting! i did mention to his consultant in feb when it started and he wasnt sure and suggested an inhaler in the future. I just feel that i cant get the adivce i need at times.
ANyones little ones have similar thing going on??

xx

hi maryanne
we have the same thing with connor,mainly when he has eaten yogurt or anything heavy dairy wise-he does have it on other foods but thats the main one.
The way i think is if Connor seems fine in himself i dont tend to worry as it does clear-if you can get your little one to drink water when he eats that will help no end-Connor likes cold bottled water!!
Connor now knows the “rules” if he has anything that makes him sound that way he has too drink or he doesnt get anymore!
Just be guided by your little one and your gut instinct!
always here if u need a chat
Diane