Hello,
I'm new here, my name is Liz, I am having an esophagectomy with colon interposition and I'm looking for information on what to expect in the hospital and after. I have a web and stricture at the junction of the pharynx and esophagus so it's in my neck too, has anyone had this surgery or similar problem?
I had gastrectomy in 2016, sadly the cancer returned at the scar site so had to have my new oesophogus replaced with my colon 3rd May this year. Operation took place at Southampton hospital & all went well. It was a long operation, I was unable to drink until I had undertaken a swallow test under x-ray. Then only clear liquids slowly building up to soft foods. Couple of stretches required after but now, apart from occasional dumping as I am stubborn & refuse to miss out on food I love like cheese & sweets, I am back at work, still on phases return, but I am doing surprisingly well. Positive attitude, support off family & friends are vital.
I am obviously a great advertisement for this operation, others may not have faired well & like anything it can be the luck of the draw but I made sure I was fit & healthy before & I did everything I was told to do afterwards.
Thank you so much for your reply. I'm happy you are getting on well and back to work, wow! I am also looking to return to work after surgery. I currently walk 2 miles a day and do breathing exercises to be in the best shape I can be before surgery. I have trouble keeping my weight up so that is a concern I have. How long was your hospital stay? I go to the surgeon again on 15 Nov and should get the specifics, open vs minimally invasive and such, I will also need an ENT doctor because my issue is in my neck. Very nerve racking not knowing. This site has been the only place I can find more information so far. Thanks again for the reply.
I was only in for 2 wks, as soon as I could I was walking & doing my breathing & arm, leg exercises. I used protein powder to help with weight gain & had alarms going off the remind me to eat regularly. I am not sure key hole surgery is an option, maybe for your neck but not for the colon replacement, I have scar from under my right arm to under shoulder blade & a lovely long one down my belly from just below ribs to above my knocker line. It joins my previous scar which was an upside down v so now it looks like an arrow, thinking of getting the words ‘stand this way up’ next to it.
This site has been great & there are some fabulous groups on Facebook
Thank you for this update. I was wondering how long posy your surgery the cancer returned at the scar site? This is the first I have heard of the colon being used and very interesting.
Good morning. I had my esophagectomy in April. After 3 days I had complications such as pneumonia and a leak putting me on a ventilator. ICU turned into 14 days instead of 2 days. Had feeding J tube for 8 weeks and they didn’t allow me to eat or drink for 5 weeks which was torture due to the complications. Getting out of breath quick and no endurance will be your normal. They cut me in my neck, shoulder and stomach so that affects your breathing and out of breath issues mainly from the stomach cut. I had acohlasia which is a eating disorder where your esophagus muscles stop working and stays closed so all foods got stuck. Had it for 40 years and it finally was ready to rupture. I had 3 dilation stretches monthly since August which is mainly scar tissues and you have to break the cycle although some people don’t need any. It is getting better though for the swallowing is lasting longer. Bottom line it is a tough recovery and for cancer patients most have chemotherapy after. Hope all goes good for you with no complications and just take it slow but walk as much as possible. It gets better..
Thank you sharing your experience. Thankfully my issue is benign. I have had dilations every 1-2 months for three years. At one point a g tube was put in because I had a pinpoint opening only and couldn't eat or drink at all. It had to be done with fluroscopy because a scope could not pass. I have been on a puree diet for almost three years now . My Dr said this is the worst benign case he's seen, yikes! I appreciate everyone sharing they're experience so I can prepare for what's ahead. I feel much better knowing I'm not alone. Good vibes to all for healing and moving forward! Your stories and advice means the world to me.
I had an esophagectomy in Nov 2017. I did not have any issues in my neck.
Since my surgery I am doing very well. As long as I sleep inclined so that I do not aspirate bile during the night. I have had a couple of mild instances of aspirational pneumonia due to the nighttime aspirations. I have had two stretches to try and get my food to move down my esophagus/stomach a little faster.
It is important to eat your last meal each day as early as possible. I eat mine at 6:30.
Thankfully for me I am able to eat just about any type of food. Just have to make sure you drink liquids with every meal as one eats. Otherwise dry foods such as bagels or even dry chicken can have it’s issues going down on occasion. Easy to learn how and what to eat.
I have gained back over 35 lbs since my surgery.
My presurgery regime was 28 days of radiation, 5 treatments of chemo during the radiation. 1 1/2 months recovery after the chemo/ radiation, and then a 10 hour surgery which included robotics through a single incision under right arm and arthroscopic surgery on my lower abdomen to release the stomach.
I was in the hospital for 10 days as my drainage tub hole was slow to close up.
Now approaching two year and having a cancer that did not spread outside my esophagus, I remain Cancer free.
Good luck
Thank you for your reply, I am happy to hear you are cancer free! If my stomach and lower esophagus is untouched by surgery would I still have to be inclined to sleep? I'm having the very top of my esophagus removed where it meets the pharynx.
I don't know for sure as my surgery did not touch the upper part of my esophagus, nor did i have to have the colon interposition. I had the lower 2/3 of my esophagus removed for my procedure and my stomach was stretched into a tube to replace that portion of the esophagus. I had that valve at the top of the stomach removed so that is why I believe i get those wonderful gastric juices coming up and thus require the inclined sleeping. Sounds like you will keep that valve.
Take advantage of the wonderful drugs in the hospital . I can say i really had very little pain in the hospital or even afterwards.
I am still very pleased with the outcome of my surgery.
Best of luck
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