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Esophagectomy surgery: Want to know what to expect

Posted by survivorsuz @survivorsuz, Jun 27, 2019

Has anyone experienced a minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer (squamous cell type)? Wanting to know what to expect please.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Esophageal Cancer Support Group.

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dave640 | @dave640 | Mar 20, 2023
In reply to @bethm71 "This does sound like my husband. The horrible burning acid that leaves him with a sire..." + (show)
Profile picture for bethm71 @bethm71

This does sound like my husband. The horrible burning acid that leaves him with a sire throat and cough fir a few days. He has been on the heavy antibiotics 3 times. What was your cure or what stopped the reflux and aspiration? My husband's is many hours after eating, in the morning hours, so we don't see how sleeping on an incline will help. He has a wedge pillow, but I gave been considering spending thousands on an adjustable bed, if it would stop this.

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Bethm71, You might consider trying the Avana mattress elevator for a couple hundred dollars.

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dave640 | @dave640 | Mar 20, 2023
In reply to @bethm71 "I would ask her if it is burning. My husband's comes up into to his throat..." + (show)
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I would ask her if it is burning. My husband's comes up into to his throat and coughs and spits it out. He describes it as yellow bile and it burns his throat. Regardless, something she should definitely mention at her follow up visit if it is soon.

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Thank you. That is helpful.

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doglover888 | @doglover888 | Mar 20, 2023
In reply to @bethm71 "This does sound like my husband. The horrible burning acid that leaves him with a sire..." + (show)
Profile picture for bethm71 @bethm71

This does sound like my husband. The horrible burning acid that leaves him with a sire throat and cough fir a few days. He has been on the heavy antibiotics 3 times. What was your cure or what stopped the reflux and aspiration? My husband's is many hours after eating, in the morning hours, so we don't see how sleeping on an incline will help. He has a wedge pillow, but I gave been considering spending thousands on an adjustable bed, if it would stop this.

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Hi. Yes the worse part is the burning acid. I watch everything I eat. No spices, little chocolate, sour items, pickles...that sort of thing. I eat 3 hours before I go to bed. I have learned when I am going to aspirate and it seems drinking water helps. I have had the 2 pneumonia shots so that I don't develop it again and wind up in hospital. I think the most important thing is to be careful what he eats.

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diana82 | @diana82 | Mar 21, 2023
In reply to @bethm71 "Recurring lung infections 11 years out from esophagectomy Husband treated for stage 3 cancer 11 years..." + (show)
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Recurring lung infections 11 years out from esophagectomy
Husband treated for stage 3 cancer 11 years ago with radiation, chemo and Ivor Lewis esophagectomy at Mayo. Survivor! However, he is plagued with acid reflux that they feel has caused him to aspirate. He has been treated for lung abssesses the past few years and has "holes" in his lungs. Mayo is trying to pinpoint the bacteria, but the cause seems to be this reflux aspiration. We can only get wait-listed for an appointment to see a GI doctor there. We eat early, doesn't lie down for at least 3 hours, sleeps on an incline but this reflux occurs at 3, 4 or 5 in the morning. So it isn't the food coming back up but pure acid. It is so bad and burns his throat and he continues to cough for a few days. Anyone had any experience with this?

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Hello,
My husband takes dexilant before bed and uses liquid Gaviscon if he wakes up during the night.
He also finds eating bananas helpful. He coughs when he eats. Yogurt and other soft foods work best.
Happy to see he is 11 years out. That's wonderful!

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manlybythesea57 | @manlybythesea57 | Mar 22, 2023
In reply to @diana82 "Hello, My husband takes dexilant before bed and uses liquid Gaviscon if he wakes up during..." + (show)
Profile picture for diana82 @diana82

Hello,
My husband takes dexilant before bed and uses liquid Gaviscon if he wakes up during the night.
He also finds eating bananas helpful. He coughs when he eats. Yogurt and other soft foods work best.
Happy to see he is 11 years out. That's wonderful!

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That's great - well and truly in remission - what about weight gain / loss?

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colecarp | @colecarp | Jan 30 11:19am

The Ivor Lewis surgery is quite complex. Just like most of us I had radiation and chemo treatments prior to the surgery. Had mine done in Tampa/Moffitt with Dr. Fontaine and his team January 28th 2025. Clear margins after surgery. So it’s been a year since surgery and eating will be forever different. I lost 60 pounds, maintaining at 180lbs for now, finally some energy back, eating smaller meals but hard to get used to it because I’m a tall big guy that loved to eat. Great team at Moffitt 5 star accommodations. My digestive system still acts up with diarrhea controlled somewhat. Most times when eating I have a stomach ache most likely from over eating. Good luck to everyone.

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