My niece had a esophagealectomy in May of 2013, after using a feeding tube for 1 month, she progressed to regular food, after returning to

[tarzan1944]

her home, she started losing weight , throwing up and not being able to eat much because everything tastes awful even things she used to love. Has had many tests and nothing shows up. What could be the cause of this ?

[reneeevans]

Hi there. Has she had tests for gastroparesis - this would be a test called a gastric emptying study or something like that. With an esophagectomy, they cut the vagus nerve which is what tells the stomach to contract and push food into the small intestine. Without stomach contraction, food can pool in the stomach remnant causing nausea and vomiting and ultimately weight loss.

Hope this helps.

[Rowland]

Hi, I had my operation in July 2012 and suffered exactly the same, sickness and complete loss of appetite which went on for some months. In my case it was just a matter of time and slow recovery from what is a major operation and disruption to the digestive system. I just had to take things day by day and very gradually I managed to eat small amounts and by about Xmas was managing 3 small meals a day plus little snacks. Over a year later I am back at work and now even having to watch my weight a bit. I hope this might help a bit - wishing your niece all the very best,

Julie

[Hidden]

It does wreck your taste buds for a while. It may well be that her stomach is not emptying well, and the hospital can sort that out. It is not unusual for this complication to occur, but the only way to find out whether it really is this problem is to get it checked. It does not mean that the surgery has not been successful, and does not mean that there is some recurrence of cancer.

[gutlesswonder]

With the benefit of hindsight I would say that my taste did not return to normal for two to three years post-op.

I still (22 Yrs) cannot appreciate wine/sherry unless accompanied by food.

I never have any normal feelings of hunger .

I think the best advice when you are trying to regain some strength is just to eat whatever you fancy whenever you feel like it , however odd --a bit like cravings when pregnant.Its calories that are needed . The time to worry about seven a day ,low glaecemic ,vitamin absorption etc etc can all wait awhile.

[Hidden]

You are not alone with the absence of hunger feelings. I am told that the ghrelin that makes hunger pangs gets produced in the fundus, the top part of the stomach, so if you have had that part removed, you lose the hunger feelin as well.

[liz_crisp]

Hi

I am 4 years post op and never feel hungry, I set an alarm to remind me to eat, My taste buds still change now sometimes and food doesn't always taste as I expect. I agree with gutless wonder, eat whatever you fancy when you feel like it and make sure you eat small portions as too big and you will throw up. I still eat starter size portions. It is a slow process Good luck

Lizzy