Are there any others out there who have gained weight after esophagectomy? I have gained 40 pounds since july 2012. It is now nov 2013.

[kolive2012]

I feel i have ruined surgery and its very painful. My surgery was for late stage achalasia.

[lizthebob]

Yes I have! I had the oesophagectomy becuase I had cancer and was warned about the difficulty in maintaining a healthy weight. In fact my surgeon told me that he was pleased beforehand that I was on the curvy side. I lost a stone in hospital but was there for five months. Since coming home about 2.5 years ago I have put that stone back on and only haven't put on more because I have been to weight watchers. And I don't eat huge amounts becuase I am not able to.

In fact, I think I am probably the only weight watchers member without a stomach and with hardly any oesophagus. Very strange!

[strangetimes]

My weight is good as well . I had op in August but I do ude my feeding tube and have supplemental feeding at night .

It seems if you can keep your weight up you have a better appetite .

Can you add butter/cheese /cream to any of your food - potatoes/soup/pasta ?

Was your surgery not succesful ?

Just take each few hours as they come and put one foot step in front of the other .I know it's trite ,but you'll gradually improve I'm sure .

[strangetimes]

Gah!!! I'm so sorry - big chemo day for me today and I'm a bit nutty ) .

I see you're worried about gaining weight . You won't be the only one . If it's any help I'm obsessed with food and recipes and when I can eat more I think I'll have to watch it .

For me I think it's because I feel I have been deprived of satisfying food for so long ,if I could I'd go mad . Perhaps it's a bit the same for you ?

In the past I've been to Weight watchers and would recommend them .

[sallym]

Never managed to loose any weight, recently a blood test shows that I have an under active thyroid which leads to weight gain. Metabolism has a part to play in all this so maybe there could be an underlying cause Sally

[Hidden]

An oesophagectomy is a last resort for achalasia, and to some extent it is a good thing that you are managing to get the food into your digestive system. On the issue of pain after your surgery, I think it would depend on where you feel the pain?

Sometimes people feel a kind of colic pain, and that may be due to the altered digestive system, and 'dumping syndrome'.

I think it would be worth checking back with your surgeon.

If you are in or near London on Thursday 12 December there is a meeting for achalasia patients to exchange experiences. opa.org.uk/pages/achalasia....