Oesophagus Stretch

[werfvan5]

Im having a stretch or dillation as its called ,in a couple of weeks ....its the outlet of the stomach and will help with the transit of food ......my consultant says its not uncommom after surgery .....has anyone else had this ? ....

[Bernadette]

Yes I had a stretch about 3 months after my surgery, sometimes when I ate bread it got stuck in my throat and I had to try and cough it back up, it was a horrible feeling, after the 'stretch' it worked ok for awhile but two months later it was decided I needed another one, however I had flu on the day and it was postponed, however by some miracle I never needed another. My consultant said he had never heard of flu being a cure before. I was told that sometimes one works and others need several. Hope the first one works for you.

[jay2908]

I have had a number of stretches. Most have seen an improvement in swallowing. Sometimes the benefit may take a day or so post procedure.

[Hidden]

It is not uncommon after an oesophagectomy for a stretch to be done (with an endoscope-type apparatus), either that the top end of the stomach, or at the bottom end of the stomach to help the food go through properly.

I was really worried by this prospect of any sort of endoscopy because my oesophagus had split originally, and I was worried that the procedure might split it again, but I had a sedative and did not feel a thing when the surgeon gave it a slight stretch.

Some people have stretches on numerous occasions. I think it depends on the scar tissue at times.

I would say it is definitely worthwhile to have it done if the surgeon advises it because it can be beneficial.

[cherrybailey]

I did few months after my op, so worried, wish I had this website then! ha

My surgeon explained my words, when they do their thing sometimes they may not leave the gap big enough, normal and might need doing regular intervals.

Think by the replies, try not to worry. You will be fine. Notice the difference.

[DaveChuter]

Hi,

I've had 3 of these stretches over the past couple of years, all worked well but in my case the effects did not last, so had keyhole surgery to open up permantly.

Talking to other patients in our group, some have had only one or two stretches which have lasted years and have not needed another one.

It is a common procedure after surgery, quick, painless and effective very quickly, don't worry, it's just another endoscopy.

Best regards,

Dave C

[Charlie36]

I had a stretch last November. The scar tissues my throat were causing swallowing difficulties. Happy to say I knew nothing about it, done under a general and in for a day. Do have to eat in a relaxed atmosphere and chew well. Still can get a "tight throat" sensation if stressed but all ok to date (fingers crossed!) I gather this is more common in the first year after surgery? But not an uncommon procedure I gather and very effective.

Best wishes,

Charlie

[Free_Wheels]

Fortunately, I've never needed one...Yet. Relaxed atmosphere and chewing well works for me as well.

[yorkshirerose]

Hi I have had 4 dilatations of the oesophagus and one of the pyloris spincter, which is the lower end of the stomach. I often vomited after food and I noticed I was vomiting food I had eaten the previous day, so my consultant suggested the stretch to allow food to pass through my stomach faster. My husband said he had noticed I often had bad breath and this was becasue food was stagnating in my stomach. I noticed an improvement almost straight away

Best wishes

Edwina

[werfvan5]

Hi Yorkshire rose ,

Youre right about the bad breath ,i could burp and clear a room .....when i had a Gastroscopy even though i hadnt ate for 15 hours i still had food in my stomach ! .....by stretching my pyloris it should move things through faster ....2 days before i have it done im going to put all my food throw a blender, so i dont creat a Pea Souper for the camera ! ! ...all the best and you take care ....

[Hidden]

Hi, I`ve never had one, but i suffer from a tickley throat whenever i eat food, which can be very embarrassing, i think it`s down to the scar tissues at the join of my oesophagus, i`v had it since my op, it does not hert when i swallow it just tickles, i wonder if a stretch would do me some good ?

Im three and a half years post op.

Best wishes

Pete.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I wonder if is something to do with the nerves? Is it all sorts of food? And what about drink?

I think it may well be worth asking the specialist nurse / surgeon about it. 'Just tickles' does not sound so bad, but if you are swallowing food it is somewhere on the spectrum of reaction which, at the other end of the scale, might include a vomiting reaction.

You have had this for a long time, and it might be the case that it is not going to go away in its own. I also wonder whether an ear nose and throat specialist might have an opinion if your surgeon cannot suggest anything?

[Hidden]

Hi Alan, thanks for your reply, when i said tickley throat i ment to say tickley cough and yes it`s all sorts of food especially bread, most drinks are ok but spirits will make me cough, when i bend over to do something i would cough but that has got a lot better and does not bother me any more. I did speak to my surgeon about it last year and he did`nt seam to botherd about it.

Thanks again

Pete.

[christinehulmes]

I had a dilatation done back in june of this year and the balloon burst before they fully infalted it. Boy was my throat sore for a few days afterwards. am showing signs that i may need another soon. Had my oesophagectomy back in 2004 and had 6 dilatations in the first year post op. but i have been ok since then until the last 12 months when food started getting stuck again.

[Hidden]

what is this "stretch" -I have Dysmotility and Dysphagia and have difficulty swallowing-have not heard of this .What does the operation involve?

[Bananas5 in reply to Hidden]

This post is 8 years old rainbow but this may answer your question.....

asge.org/home/for-patients/...

[Hidden in reply to Bananas5]

thanks for that Bananas5-very informative.

[Bananas5 in reply to Hidden]

You are very welcome