I am 8 days away from esophagectomy - wondering if after the surgery I will be hungry like I normally do now?

[thisjourney]

oesophogectomy

[petercaron]

I will be 5 years post my esophogectomy in Oct. I do not experience hunger pains like I did prior to the surgical procedure.

I am eating just about everything I ate before the surgery, but I am eating 3-4 meals a day, smaller amounts, but more so based on time of day and not because I feel really hungry.

Good luck on your surgery. Try and gain a pound or two if you can before the procedure as it will help better prepare for some weight loss after the procedure.

I am certainly much better off than I ever expected to be.

[Cavalier3]

I’m 16 months post surgery and I’ve never felt hungry since.. I ate as much as I could before surgery to try and gain weight. That was difficult with the chemotherapy and radiotherapy at times but I managed 6 kilos. Most of my post surgery weight loss was the weight I gained. Good luck and let us know how you are

[Danstable]

I'm 38 months post surgery and haven't felt hunger at all since then. Personally I like it, it's an annoying sensation, and without it I'm now a much healthier weight.

Appetite on the other hand, well when I smell something I like I certainly want to eat it....and usually end up eating too much of it!

Breaking the habit of always finishing what's on my plate has probably been the most difficult long term thing to deal with. Eating too much in one sitting is pretty much the only thing that really impacts on my day these days.

Dan

[ADIE29]

First off, good luck with your surgery!!!I am just 8 months post surgery. Unfortunately I had to complete 12 rounds of chemotherapy and dropped 19 kgs from discovery of the cancer to now. My food journey has been a tad difficult and I have the most bizarre cravings for different food, so I go with the flow and eat small amounts of what I like. I also found that it is best for me not to eat too late otherwise the acid Reflux kicks in. Also we decided to purchase a bed which elevates my head so that I am almost sleeping like I am in a hammock. Can no longer sleep on my side, but I find sleeping in a elevated position helps keep the Reflux away. I reakon I have had only 6 really bad episodes of Reflux since leaving hospital.

I'm sure you will have some down days, but everything gets better with time. A Nutrionist will help steer you along the way to good eating habits. Again I wish you all the very best xxx

[Deeedals]

Hi, all the very best for your upcoming surgery. We are all warriors on here!Regarding your question, i am 14 months post surgery, I have never experienced hunger since, which is good for me as it means I maintain a healthy weight without any effort.

I eat pretty much anything I like and enjoy it .but if I go too long without food or eat too much then I usually experience dumping syndrome. Old habits die hard and I used to not eat if we were going out to eat but if I do this now, I find myself sliding under the table in a faint or slumped in a sweaty heap within 15 mins of eating 🤣

It’s a scary learning curve at times with the emphasis on learning. You will learn to read what your body is telling you.

I’ll be thinking of you , good luck xx

[telford-hiker in reply to Deeedals]

How’s things goin since covid 👍🏻

[Deeedals in reply to telford-hiker]

Aww thanks for asking. All good now although the tiredness persists. You ok ?

[telford-hiker in reply to Deeedals]

Oh good..lost my voice last 7 days ..was getting me worried ,but managed to see a doctor 🙄😁 and thinks a viral infection..flippin nightmare now ,what goes thro your head ..but hey ho..stay well ..😊

[Deeedals in reply to telford-hiker]

Yes everything that happens you automatically think the worst, but hey ho, we’re still here and enjoying life xx

[telford-hiker in reply to Deeedals]

Yes big time ..keep goin and keep smiling 😊

[Deeedals in reply to telford-hiker]

You too x

[kiddy]

Hi good luck with your surgery.The experience is that you will not feel hungry ,but will eat little and often as not to over fill. Energy levels drop rather than feel hungry.

It will be like weaning a baby, start off with maybe spoonfuls of soft food then gradually get onto more solids lol.

The process is trial and error. Some foods you will be able to tolerate and others not.

You will lose weight I lost 3 stone which I have managed to put some back on 6 years after. Dietician at hospital should give you information or you can get free advice booklets from OPA.

You will be on a roller coaster but will learn to live with the adaptions.

Again like people say eating late is a no no. Raising head a must with more pillows etc. I still get acid and bile reflux.

Take care

Debbie

[Bernadette100]

I do feel hungry but find find I cannot eat much even now after 13 years..my husband used to give me meals on a small plate and gradually upgraded to a bigger plate.Good luck

[telford-hiker]

Agree with different parts of all stories..as we,are all different..2 years post IL,and eat and like same as before ,but child portions.have to wait an hour for desert then an hour for a drink..no room at the inn(erds)😂..learning what makes you dump ,and it will,is a learning curve..caffeine of any form wipes me out..as most things high in sugar..however having said that I’m now addicted to milk chocolate..in small portions 🤥..partial to a glass or two of red wine..and do a lot of mountain walking..BUT we all still here,I try and get away once a month to wales cause it’s good to be alive..I wish you all the luck in the world and keep us all posted on your journey 🤞🏻Good luck

[ccfc]

I will be celebrating 10 years post op in November. At some issues with eating in the early days but over time you find out what works for you. These days I can eat anything but in smaller amounts. My surgeon told me I would never feel hungry again as well as the bottom half of my oesophagus he took the top half of my stomach and he said that is what contains the nerve endings that give you hunger pains. It’s about learning to eat by the clock because your body no longer tells you to eat. It amuses me that even after all these years people close to me will say in passing “ Are you hungry”. I just give them a look and they remember then. Good look, James.

[Mauser1905]

Wishing you all the best for your surgery.

I am 4.5 years post Oesophagectomy and get hunger feelings. The signal of being hungry is sent from Vagus nerve to the brains, The surgical sectioning and related complexities will dictate if this nerve capability is retained/sustained or not unfortunately.

The outcomes are varied and subjective. It may be helpful to focus on recovery.

[thisjourney in reply to Mauser1905]

Thank you for your response. Believe me, I am focusing on my recovery, that is why my other question was about just that. This was just a question I was curious about given the limit and restriction of food post-op.

[grandylynda]

After 5 years I still don't experience hunger. Every thing others have said is true. We are all different. Just take it slowly and ask for help from a dietitian

[rayw55]

We are all different, however, normally the vega nerve is either compromised or cut completely during the operation, some get back to feeling hungry , myself, I am now at 12.5 years post op and have not had a feeling of being hungry at all, nor i think will i ever. that does not concern me in the least particularly considering the alternative to the surgery. You hopefully have had your surgery now and are on the road to recovery- it is a long one- but there is always those here to help if you need it- dont be afraid to ask those who have been through the same op- best wishes ray

[Deeedals]

Hello, I was just wondering how you are post op . Hope you’re recovering well. Sending get well wishes your way xxx

[Cavalier3 in reply to Deeedals]

I’ve been looking and thinking about them too Deeedals. Xxxx hope she is doing ok.

[thisjourney in reply to Deeedals]

You are so very kind. Everything has gone well. The lymph nodes that were removed did not have any cancer in them (YAY!).

[AussiePeterInLondon]

I'm about 7 years post surgery.

I was carrying too much weight before surgery so didn't both too much eating up. Mine was diagnosed Stage 3 - they decided to proceed to surgery so I skipped Radio/Chemo before hand and had the joys of 6 months of Chemo post-op.

I don't really experience hunger post-op - I try to eat more, smaller meals but living/working from home (thanks COVID) has made it difficult to do. So, I've reverted to eating with my family - much smaller amounts - slightly different food - and the odd snack between meals if my blood sugar feels "off".

Learning what you can and can't eat is perhaps the trickiest thing for me. I suspect we're all slightly different but I can no longer handle things like Rice, Bread (a little bit of sourdough is ok from time to time) at all. Other things like Steak I can have once in a while and not too much of it.