Living life after treatment and surgery for Esophageal Cancer.

I had surgery 1 year ago. I've lost 20 pounds and now weigh 82 pounds. I can't seem to gain weight either. I'm still undergoing immunotherapy, so hopefully after that I'll gain some weight.

@annbresner, sorry to hear that there may be some cancer detected. Have you met with the oncologist to find out more? What did you learn?

@tas1950 have you tried supplements like bacteria to repair your intestinal flora, vitamines, glutamine and butyric acid, magnesium bisglycinate, depending on whether you have a histamine intolerance or not. My husband has it, but all of these helped him to repair his intestines and gain weight. After 4 years he still does not feel any hunger or appetite, he does not eat healthy because he simply cannot, he eats a lot of potatoes, which is good in my eyes, but he does not like to eat, because he simply does not know what to eat. This has accompanied him since the surgery, although he was like that before, as well, but now it is even worse, but with the supplements he at least does not have any diarrhea any more, he has fewer dumps, feels better, his mood is better and he gained weight and keeps it. Perhaps this helps. If you want to know, which supplements he is taking, please contact me any time either here. All the best and be patient. Patience you definitely need.

It’s been almost two years since my chemo, radiation and surgery for esophageal cancer. Thankfully, I am cancer free today and have just begun my transition from every 3 months to every 6 months monitoring regime.
I weighed 125 pounds when I was diagnosed and now weigh 83 pounds. I’m having a very hard time gaining weight due to my lack of appetite and the discomfort I experience during and after eating. I often get stomach cramps, gas and diarrhea shortly after eating. I am also lactose intolerant so adding dairy fat and dairy protein are not an option for me. I try to incorporate plant-based high protein drinks into my diet but the ones I’ve found are low calorie/low fat.
Has anyone experienced similar problems? I would be very grateful for suggestions.

@cherip123 First, congratulations on your cancer free status. That’s an amazing milestone. I had my Esophagectomy almost four months ago, and I too struggle with maintaining weight. I started at around 100 and have been as low as 96. I don’t have much of an appetite either, but I know I have to eat so I just do it. The key for me has been eating SLOWLY. I’ll have 5oz. of whole milk yogurt in the morning (170 calories), but taking about an hour to eat it. Perhaps you could try lactose free yogurt? An hour later I might have half a turkey and cheese sandwich (275 calories), again taking around an hour to eat it. I have also been using the Kate Farms plant based supplements (330 calories). I take a couple of hours to finish one of those. I might have a thick soup for dinner (bean with bacon for example, 340 calories). There are also Clif Energy Bars (260 calories), and no sugar added fruit juices (around 130 calories). I also eat ice cream (there are lactose free varieties), but never more than about 1/2 cup (240 calories) at a time. Eggs are also a good protein option. I made a list of foods I can tolerate, along with some nutritional info including calories, and created a spread sheet to add up the calories. That visual has really helped me. Good luck to you, and I’m sending positive thoughts your way.

Thank you so much for your suggestions and encouragement. I have to admit, I get discouraged when I can’t seem to gain weight. I have been using a free app on my phone called fat secret, which has a calorie counter and ledger to log meals daily. It’s a good app, intended primarily for people wanting to lose weight but it has lots of nutrition info. I have not used the Kate Farm plant based protein but I will look for it. I do use the Lactaid products when I can find them, but they’re not always available where I shop. I haven’t used the app in awhile but you have inspired me to go back to it. I eat in small bites too and it’s hard to enjoy a sandwich for an hour or so, but of course that’s not the point. We have to eat! I will try some of your suggestions and again, thank you very much!

Thanks for the encouraging story,had surgery 1 year ago,Jan scan clear another in july,deff raised bed acid/ bile reflux very scarry,dumping syndrome when I get to many carbs,but let's up fairly quick,but suger can drop to 40,s range,foods challenging, yogurt, cheese meats,chicken 1 piece bread sandwiches, heavy whipping cream in coffee and diff stuff to help keep weight up..beef sticks jerkey, cheese ,sticks order box at time from Sam,s club good calories..protein bars and diff protein drinks, trying for 2500 calories day.

@dkoehne
Have you tried acarbose? This may help with the late dumping hypoglycemic episodes. My husband has similar issues. We just tried Octreotide but that made him sick (similar to early dumping). We are now going to try acarbose. There are also some studies showing SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance and Invokana may help with late dumping episodes as well.

@supportivewife thanks for the kind thought. I did try acarbose for a time after an endocrinologist consult with no relief. Her final suggestion was Ozempic but given my already dramatic weight loss the side effects seemed worse than the possible relief.