Esophagectomy surgery: Want to know what to expect

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 ).

@lori57216 surgery is scheduled for oct 26th. I don’t know what to feel. Anxiously excited… mixed with nervous and trying too know what to expect afterwards without adding to more stress… ugh

he said to recheck on it within a year.

Hi Rexsan, was the polyp found to be cancerous? Did your doctor suggest 3-month or 6-month follow-up?

If a polyp is adenoma in the duodenum ......It was diagnosed several weeks ago.......Should I have this checked on every 3 months....6 months.......I am so worried about this.

A lift chair is an electric recliner basically.
I'm embarrassed to admit that I do not remember the term for my surgery. He cut into my stomach, my right side around entire rib cage & neck. Removed esophagus, stretched my stomach up and attached to what remained of esophagus. The drainage tube that was inserted into my neck got infected which is the only reason I had to stay in the hospital for an additional week ( otherwise I would have been released after only 1 week ).

I agree, oxygen can be beneficial for healing. I just wish I could get off it before surgery. Meaning I want to be as strong as possible. My weight is down which could be one of the reasons I still need the oxygen. I’m needing it less and less. I have good and bad days. I guess we all do!! Just have to keep moving. Thank you for being so helpful @lori57216 btw- what is a lift chair? Also one more thing, the surgery discussed (for me) is called a Transhiatal Esophagectomy…. Is that the surgery you had as well?
Thanks again:)

Yes while sleeping and if I happen to think of it while I'm in the bedroom in my lift chair watching tv. Figure what the hey, can't hurt. Oxygen is beneficial to soft tissue ( via the blood stream ) for healing.

Thank you- I’m sure I could Google it! Are you still using the oxygen while sleeping? Or did I misread that? @lori57216

Regarding the time frame with oxygen after surgery I honestly don't remember. But I had an oxygen test ( finger test ) done 24 / 7 for 3 days and my oxygen level dropped to just above 70 while sleeping. So I have to have 2 liters only when I'm sleeping.
The nicest motel at reasonable rates was called Centerstone Motel right up the street from St. Mary's with shuttle. Also they have family accommodations with laundry etc. That's where we stayed all but one time. Let me know if you want their info. They can also be found on the www.