Esophagectomy: What is life like Afterwards?

@cometsmom

Thanks so much,

John

@malewski

Here is the link. If you go to smartpatients.com under the esophageal cancer forum, you'll find it already highlighted, and will just have to click on it. Hope this helps.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4550284795?pwd=UjBHQ0J2V1pOc21SOExTR2N1UXNpQT09

@cometsmom I am new to this group and interested in attending zooom meetings. Can you provide the link to tune into these please. My 69 year old brother, Downs Syndrome, had an esophogectomy 1 year ago after chemo and radiation. All well and surgical outcome good. However he has continued to lose weight despiste intense supervision of meals etc. May have developed an eating disorder. So far surgeon doesnt want feeding tube. Started at 205 lb and now 95 lbs......balance and mobility compromised. Would love to share some of this and get support. He would join me. Thanks much. John W.

@allie2025
My husband was discharged after 5 days. He came home on clear liquids for 3 days, full liquids for 11 days, soft foods for two weeks before he try’s solid foods. I think recovery is unique to each individual. Best of luck to you both!

I was in for 9 days (oesophagectomy 6 weeks ago). I had the ng tube until the last. Day but was having water and ensure/ fortified meal replacements. Takes a while to start getting enough food but the meal replacement and protein powder helped keep weight on . I still lost 4kg between operation and today. Talk to the hospital dietitian as they really know their stuff and have been supportive post discharge. I am now well onto soft foods ( soups, avocado, pate etc) and even managed one of my husband's amazing gingernuts although it took an hour of nibbling and doing 20 chews.

Hi Scott here I was in hospital 8 days. That was in January I left hospital in pretty good shape could only eat soft foods for about 2 weeks and only small amounts. I can pretty much eat anything now but still eat small meals which is fine. I go for walks every day and workout 4 to 5 times a week. This has helped me tremendously. I’m 62 almost 63 couple more days. So this won’t be a fast process but if she stays positive and with great support she should be able to get back to some normal activities that she likes to do. Your digestive system has been changed so it takes time to adjust also. Stay positive wishing you the best you got this. Scott

Yes...eastern time zone

My sister just had her surgery a week ago today and they are talking discharge tomorrow and I worry they are rushing her. Yesterday they took the ng tube out and let her drink some liquid then today they gave her yogurt and cream of wheat. She said she only could eat a bit of the yogurt so I wonder if they are pushing.

So I live in bc Canada. So would that be Sunday at 0600 am. And Monday 300 pm ?

Everyone's experience with esophagectomy is different. My husband had his surgery on December 18, 2024. However, he did not need chemo and radiation before surgery, because the tumor was small. He did develop an anastomotic leak, which set him back. He developed a severe cough and produced copious amounts of mucus. Unfortunately, this led to him needing a J-tube. He also developed a hole in his stomach conduit when they went back in to remove scar tissue. He was in the hospital for 5 1/2 months. His pain was severe, but I think that may have been from the multiple surgeries he had. I don't mean to sound grim. I wanted to end this story with the fact that he has been home since May 28 and is now eating almost anything he wants. He walks his dog every day and drives to see his friends, and continues his hobbies. It has been a long road with plenty of ups and downs, but my message to you is don't become discouraged; everything takes time.