strictures

I have had several dilations from strictures in the esophagus. It actually is fairly painful afterwards to swallow, depending on how small the stricture is. I would plan on lukewarm liquids for that day and maybe even the next day. Anything too cold (like popsicles) or hot (like cider) will cause the muscles to contract a bit from the extreme temperature, and that hurts worse than any soothing from the cold (it's not like getting your tonsils out). It's not unbearable, but it's not fun. Kind of like strep throat. Depending on where the stricture is, too, you might feel the pain in your chest, like bad heartburn.