Esophagectomy surgery: Want to know what to expect

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.

Fabulous. How is your transition to soft foods and beyond going? What would you advise others?

I have been so fortunate. I advise small meals every couple hours. Initially soft foods low sugar. Chew and eat slowly when you try new choices.

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?

Hi Lori, thank goodness the tumor wasn't cancerous. I moved your question about esophageal surgery to this existing discussion
- Esophagectomy surgery: Want to know what to expect https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/esophagectomy-surgery/

I did this so that you can easily connect with other members like @pellaw @survivorsuz @puprluvr @lori57216 and others.

Lori, I can imagine that you anxiously await to get answers to help you get back on track with swallowing. Have you ever consulted with a speech-language pathologist? They are experts in assessing swallowing disorders and establishing a treatment plan to improve the swallow. @hopeful33250 might be able to share more.

Hello @loribroda

I agree with Colleen, @colleenyoung, that it is wonderful that the tumor was not cancerous. I can certainly understand your frustration with having a swallowing problem. That is such a difficult problem to deal with. Do you have choking spells or do you just feel like things get stuck? I have had vocal cord surgery for a a paralyzed vocal cord and also have problems swallowing (both before the surgery and again several years after the surgery).

I do agree that seeing a speech pathologist is a great next step. Speech therapists do more than speech therapy, they can also assist with swallowing problems. Have you had a referral to one of these specialists? If not, please ask for a referral. You will be pleased that you did.

I'm also wondering that when you had the various EGDs did they find a way to help with the swallowing problems?

Please know that it is your right to get a second opinion. Find a university medical center or a health care facility like Mayo Clinic with a good multi-disciplinary health care approach. These types of medical centers are also research-oriented and are great at helping with difficult to solve health problems.

Will you post again and let me know who you are doing?

Lori, to share my story and not to scare you but my December EGD showed no cancer but symptoms similar to yours continued and worsened. Doctors did several swallow tests and prescribed medications with no improvement or answers. Finally in April, at my insistence an EGD with ultrasound showed Stage 3 esophageal cancer. In May chemo and radiation began. The chemo & radiation were hard but allowed me to eat again. August esophagectomy at Mayo Rochester. Now 6 months later with some restrictions living a near to normal life. Cancer free. Hoping this will help you and others.

Lori,
Ask a lot of questions of the surgeons and I highly recommend getting at least two opinions from doctors that perform multiple esophagectomies monthly.
I had my esophogectomy in 2019 at Mayo with Dr. Shanda Blackmon. She performed the surgery as minimally invasive that the surgeon at a large medical center in my region could not perform.
I am happy to say my life is fantastic now. Yes it’s not exactly as I was before but my only nuisance is having to eat small quantities frequently to keep calories up.
Join an esophageal cancer support group even though your tumor has been diagnosed as benign. You may still experience the same symptoms we have gone through.
Dietitians are a great help as well as speech pathologists.
Stay positive and seek out all the reliable information you can find from medical experts.
Best wishes.

I too Lori-had my esophagectomy @ Mayo In Rochester April of 2019 with Dr. Robert Shen. Previously, I had 5 days a week of proton radiation for 5 weeks and once a week for 5 weeks of chemo. I was staged @ 2, but Dr. Shen said when one lymph node was involved, it is stage 3.
I lost about 30lbs and have maintained a consistent weight of around 118. I eat most anything I want and frequently but simple carbs only my friend in small amounts after a protein and a vegetable. I feel good, walk daily, do online yoga and Silver Sneakers now this winter and golf in season.

It's just funny that before the tumor was taken out, I had no problems. I am sorry, but I think the dr. did something wrong, and doesn't want to admit it, and so he sent me to a different gastroenterologist, Who did a EDG, and scraped some things off my esophagus, but they were negative for cancer. I am going to U of M for a second opinion, and going to have them review my files, and possible contact a lawyer.