Esophagectomy Issues

[jcyran777]

Hi, I has an esophagectomy in May of 2015. 3 years ago. Before my surgery I weighted 258lbs. I now weigh 145lbs. I have been trying to gain weight. My issue is holding food down. I cant eat meats or any tough foods. I throw up pretty much daily. Anyone else have these kind of issues.

[kiddy]

Hi have you spoke to your consultant or dietician at hospital about this. Are you eating little and often rather than big meals? If everything is ok with your oesohagus then maybe it is a psychological thing that you are sick. I would get things checked out at hospital first. There are drugs that help break down food or help with sickness. In my early days I was sick a lot and food made me heave which I think was psychological it did pass. I am 2 years post op.

Good luck

Debbie

[Hidden]

Many people do lose a great deal of weight after this operation, and whilst your weight loss is at the top end of this scale, the problem is I think, broadly the same - your new digestive system cannot cope with the same quantity of food as before. And trying to eat to put on weight will probably be unsuccessful. You have to eat little and often, and days of eating large meals are over for you I'm afraid. Concentrate on taking in adequate nutrition, and eat small amounts, frequently, of food that is designed for diabetics (ie there will not be added sugar that will tend to lead to insulin spikes / dumping syndrome).

There may be some specific reason for your vomiting, and the specialist nurse or dietician may be able to help. Potentially it could be some kind of bacteria / infection; or it might be your system protesting.

[AlanWare]

I had exactly the same problem for 4 years. Plus choking in the night due to bile reflux. I was diagnosed as critically under nourished. So, against all the advise about not eating spicy food. I thought, if I sufferanyway I might as well eat what I fancy. I made myself a really hot curry. Guess what, I slept right through without choking. I was not sick. I have made a point eating spicy food every day as my last meal. I have put on 12 lbs in the last 3 months.

[grandylynda]

I agree with whats been said so far. We are all different and our digestive systems have to adapt. For months i haaad episodes of brinnging up clear fluid, ? Saliva, that was at least partly pphycological.. try to eat healthily and not worry though this is not easy

[tallbear]

Hi there,

I have also lost a lot of weight and have massive issues with my digestion.

I am three years post op in September. I haven't had the throwing up problems, but as one of the other people have said it effects us all differently. I am still trying hard to figure out what I can and can't eat as it seems to change from week to week.

I suffer from food dumping and this causes the nausea and the dreaded aztec two step.

It seems to be such a lottery especially when you read comment from people who are only months post op and seem to be doing really well.

The weight thing is impossible for me, I have never been heavy, I was 148 pounds pre op and now I am 96 pounds and try as I will I just keep bobbing up and down by a couple of pounds.

I have started adding deactivated nutritional yeast and tahini to my food in an attempt to add a few pounds, that's along with taking calogen and ensure plus. All I can say is keep eating little and often and if you hit on something that agrees with you keep eating it.

Good luck with it all

Richard

[gutlesswonder]

Hi jcyran777

After 3 years this should have been sorted.

It sounds as if you could have a Pyloric Stenosis.

This is a fairly common side effect with the Ivor Lewis procedure and comes about due to the unavoidable cutting of the vagus nerve and re-positioning under tension from the pull-up of the stomach tube into the chest.

To better understand the condition see this video ---

youtube.com/watch?v=hvfye6n...(Not working as expected?)

Although this presentation is about a pediatric (baby's) case it is in anatomic principle completely relevant to an adult situation.

To avoid it surgeons generally perform a pyloromyotomy which is the cutting of the muscle comprising the Pyloric Sphincter to ensure that that valve opens sufficiently to enable digested food (chyme) to pass on down into the Duodenum.

Ask your hospital team if that procedure was carried out on you during your oesophagectomy operation. If it was then notwithstanding your Pyloric Sphincter may still be too tight so food backs up above in the reconstructed stomach tube.

An ultrasound scan can quickly establish how often and how wide opening occurs. Then an internal examination can be carried out using an endoscope during which the Sphincter can be stretched by inflating a small balloon. In some people this has to be repeated several times before an adequate, long-lasting dilation is achieved. If that fails then the pyloromyotomy can be repeated by either open surgery or laparoscopically (Keyhole).

You need to get it sorted before you become dangerously malnourished.

For the future red meat (Lamb/Beef/Pork) are likely to always give you discomfort; this can be minimized by mincing. Otherwise white meats (Chicken/Turkey) and Fish are far more digestible.

It sounds alarming but in reality is no big deal.

Let us know how you get on.