Esophagectomy surgery: Want to know what to expect

I had a tumor removed from my esophagus, only because the doctor said I should. That it could grow and block me from swallowing. That was in 2020. I have had nothing but problems from this surgery. I did not have any problems when I had the tumor (which was not cancerous). Now I have to go to U of M to see a specialist. I do believe the doctor did something wrong during the operation. I will find out when I go there. This is very upsetting and problematic for me. My food seems to get stuck going down. Even water does. I have had 3 EDG's since then, and several swallow tests, with no relief. Any advice?

I was a bit nervous about the procedure then traveling for hours afterwards but I literally didn’t feel a thing. PA put a gauze bandage over the wound and it truly healed itself.

Pellaw, have you had the J-tube removed now? How did it go? What tips would you offer, i.e., what do you wish you had known?

Good reminders on the shut offs. So true, the J tube just takes a bit of practice. Don’t forget to hydrate with syringes often. Nurses were a great help with practice before we left the hospital.

Hello @survivorsuz and welcome to Mayo Connect. I can understand your concern about your upcoming surgery. Having minimally invasive surgery sounds like a good thing.

Other Members on Connect who have had esophageal cancer like @puprluvr @karly @nowayback @trudivo @angelag can offer their experiences with surgery. Also, here is a link to a conversation about esophageal cancer that might be helpful to you, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/esophageal-cancer-2/.

As you are comfortable sharing more: Do you know the stage of your cancer? What has your doctor told you about your upcoming surgery? Will this be an outpatient procedure? Is there a date for your upcoming surgery?

Did you decide where you will have the surgery done? Rochester or home? Either way you will do GREAT!!!! Expect to sleep alot as the pain meds will keep you fairly " happy " for lack of a better term. The hardest part now that I think back was the NPO ( nothing per oral, no swallowing of anything ) for 10 weeks. Oh and the tube that was in my nose. It's only human to have so many mixed emotions before anything so big ( I try to refrain from using the term " normal "..... as that term applies to a setting on a home appliance ). May I suggest bring either your phone or laptop with you ( the hospital will provide you with wifi access code ), puzzle books ( word search etc. ). I brought 3 - 4 skeins of yarn and crochet hook and worked on my afghan. They will want you up and moving around a little bit about the 2nd day after surgery. They won't make you go any farther than your comfortable with. This is so very annoying but it's for the best: circulation and to avoid pneumonia. And if you decide on Rochester..... Scott and his therapy team are phenomenal!!!!! Only complaint is that they refused to smuggle in contraband for me. 😉 ( winks ).