Esophagus Stent Food Question

It is not difficult at all, but can be a little intimidating at first. Most people I have worked with were afraid of “gagging”. I was a little worried about that also, but the gagging reflex is mostly physiological. I prepared myself mentally for this and have never gagged once in the 700+ times I have done it. No diet restrictions. I eat whatever I want without any issues. I have gained 20 pounds back since starting this. If you would like to witness an actual self dilation, I can share some videos with you. Good Luck.

What instructions were you given by your doctor who installed your stent? Where are you on your EC journey? Are you doing neoadjuvant treatments... still making your way to surgery? What stage are you?
In general, I can't say I'm a fan of getting a stent... although there are situations where they have their justified applications. They tend to migrate, can be uncomfortable, and often have to be fished out of the patient's stomach. If they're being used to help the patient eat, and surgery is still an option, I'd much prefer a J tube for long term use. What type and size stent has been placed? How long will this one last? Is it for very short-term use (a couple of weeks?)

Gary

Be very careful when eating them. I have had several stents and it is possible to “plug” them up. When that happens it is extremely difficult to “unplug” it. I no longer have to rely on stents as I do self dilation to keep my junction stretched out.

He has had chemo and radiation treatments and then an esophagectomy. He was on a feeding tube until all the places joined healed and certain of no leaking. Then he started protein shakes and water, then soft foods. Then in between he had inguinial hernia surgery, a heart stent put in and they say he had a heart attack and pneumonia. He just spent 6 days in hospital where endoscopies were done and the stent. So hoping and praying tomorrow we might have answers and able to injest something to sustain him and give him strength.
Thank you for listening.

I have EC stage 4 having my 8th chemo treatment tomorrow. I couldn’t eat for two months and my oncologist advised me to not get a stent. Dilation was attempted but unsuccessful. I’ve begun eating again due to tumor shrinkage which I’m thankful for, but I still rely on g tube for most of my nutrition. I’ve begun to gain weight albeit very slowly. My issue now is pain when food passes the tumor region and I don’t know if it’s esophageal or pressure against the adjacent metastatic spine tumor.
I had a repeat PET scan yesterday and will find out results tomorrow when I see my oncologist- I’m anxious about what I’ll find out- was there further metastasis? Is the esophageal tumor shrinking as expected? Is the spine cancer any better or has it progressed?
I will bring up the pain I’m feeling as food passes that part of the esophagus and if it might stop at some point or not.
I hope your husband does well with the stent and is overall treatment.

I have EC stage 4 having my 8th chemo treatment tomorrow. I couldn’t eat for two months and my oncologist advised me to not get a stent. Dilation was attempted but unsuccessful. I’ve begun eating again due to tumor shrinkage which I’m thankful for, but I still rely on g tube for most of my nutrition. I’ve begun to gain weight albeit very slowly. My issue now is pain when food passes the tumor region and I don’t know if it’s esophageal or pressure against the adjacent metastatic spine tumor.
I had a repeat PET scan yesterday and will find out results tomorrow when I see my oncologist- I’m anxious about what I’ll find out- was there further metastasis? Is the esophageal tumor shrinking as expected? Is the spine cancer any better or has it progressed?
I will bring up the pain I’m feeling as food passes that part of the esophagus and if it might stop at some point or not.
I hope your husband does well with the stent and is overall treatment.

So... how old is he? This is absolutely not an incisional hernia... as both of these occur in the abdominal wall? Feeding tube installed to lean on? Date of esophagectomy?

Ok... he's had some setbacks... nasty bumps in the road... and he must be extra careful going forward... not to lift ANYTHING... and baby his hernia repair along. Was a mesh installed? How much weight has he lost?

Come see us on our twice-weekly Zoom calls... next one is Wednesday, 6pm Eastern. Need the link... or the codes?

Gary