I had my procedure in April of 2023. It is a tough surgery but with a good team (I had a great one!) very survivable. Released from the hospital to home after about 12 days and by aggressively working with the Physical Therapist in the hospital I was able to get around the house with the help of my wife, slowly, from Day 1. If anything, we overprepared for my release by purchasing a walker and putting rails around a toilet that I didn't really need. A week of shuffling around the house, then eventually the driveway and withing a few weeks very slow walks around the block. Transitioned from broth to very soft scrambled eggs and soup within 10 days of release.
The surgery does change your body drastically. For me it was continued weight loss. I was 67 at the time of surgery, 6 ft. tall and weighed a tubby 230 lbs. before I started having swallowing difficulties and probably about 215 at surgery. Post release from the hospital probably 185 and this morning 155 lbs. and still slowly losing weight. Appetite is suppressed and my stomach of course is much smaller. A few months post surgery I developed Dumping Syndrome which is common. Now my blood sugar is all over the map after every snack, spiking very high and dropping quickly to dangerous lows. I wear a Libre 3 in arm glucose monitor and keep glucose gel and tablets near me at all times to react to the lows. An enormous pain in the ass but manageable. I used to love craft breweries and good Scotch but my body no longer tolerates alcohol. Not the worst thing in the world but not how I pictured retirement. I've learned to sleep with my head elevated on an adjustable bed.
The positives: more years of life with my beautiful wife and my grandchildren. I walk my dog every day, ride my bike every morning. No more chemo port messing up the lines of my t-shirt.
I've posted in this forum before my two firm rules going into the surgery: Express your gratitude every minute to every staff member at the hospital. There will be lots of blood draws and bandage changes and blood pressure checks. Those people are saving your life and I was astounded overhearing patients screaming at them in other rooms. I made sure they knew I appreciated every finger-prick. Most importantly take advantage of every opportunity they give you to walk around after surgery. You absolutely won't want to get out of bed. No exception, move and build strength. ASK night nurses to let you walk. It really pays off.
You've got this.