Stomach Exit Stretch

[Hon-Moonraker]

Went for an Endoscopy at the JR in Oxford yesterday as I'm getting a lot of hic-burping since my oesophagectomy last May. It turns out that my anatomically altered stomach isn't emptying as quickly as it should. Which apparently quite common (about 1 in 5) after an oesophagectomy. I have to go back to have a 20mm balloon stretch the stomach exit. Anyone on here had this and are there any downsides I should be prepared for?

[Paulbrighton]

Hi. I haven’t had that but I take metaclopromide which I find really good for delayed emptying. It’s the sphincter at the end of our stomach tube that doesn’t open so automatically. Metaclopromide about half an hour before breakfast and dinner makes a huge difference to my emptying. As I understand it a stretch of the sphincter can help but it it will wear off. Sometimes in the USA they put Botox injection in the sphincter to paralyse it and make it open. Again though it’s temporary. I have read that it takes a year or so before your body learns to open the sphincter when it needs too.

A stretch should help for a while though. But my view is that you need to train it. Also I think somendigestive bitters available from Amazon, taken before meals, helps with motility.

Regards paull

[Hsbc]

Hi I too had several of those stretches ( and a a bit larger) and it’s very useful. I also have gastric paresis which means the food hangs about in my gastric remnant/ tummy. It really will be helpful . Jus eat slowly to make sure the food doesn’t pass through too fast . Your system just adjusts. I don’t know if it’s helpful, but be reassured the stretch is a good idea if it’s been recommended. Good luck

[Lara5]

Hi

Ive had eight procedures over four years and possibly will need more. They really help and the surgeon and his team have been fantastic. My problem is I usually leave it too long before I mention that I have symptoms (hoping it will go away), then naturally have to wait a little while for the procedure and a couple of times have had to have it done as 'urgent'. Now I realise when the symptoms are starting its the time to act. The procedures are quick and having sedation means you wake up and it's done and symptoms gone. Only downside has been leaving it rather late and needing to go nil by mouth for a few hours before and on the day of procedure because I am very petite and low weight and loose more weight so need to catch up again which takes me a while.

[Janashlin in reply to Lara5]

Hi Lara, can you please share what your symptoms are when his is happening?

[Lara5 in reply to Janashlin]

Hi

Usually feel nauseous and full all the time, can't eat much at all and that gets worse so obviously loose weight. If it goes on for a while before the stretch, food can back up as it doesn't go down and more painful to get through where it's narrowed. I also get a little more breathless. Once Stretch is done then all that's sorts itself out and I can eat again and I wonder why I didn't go back sooner. Good luck.

[Janashlin in reply to Lara5]

Thank you

[Hon-Moonraker]

Thanks. I do get full quite quickly, but always presume it's because I "have" eaten too much. Perhaps this wll sort things out all round.