dilations

[2cats4us]

I had my third dilation last week and am scheduled for another June 26th. My surgery was only in Sept of 2014 and soon I will be having my fourth since. If this does not work my surgeon has said that they will put in a stint for 6-8 weeks. Has anyone else had this.

[jay2908]

I've not had a stent, but I did have a number of dilatations and the GI Doctor put a larger balloon for the dilation which seemed to help.

Also might be worth considering a swallow test where they track your swallowing using X-rays.

I found that I was having airblocks in my gut preventing food from being swallowed easily. So I have a hot drink 30 mins before I eat to clear the path for food. I also found that swallowing was harder when I have a cold and used sudafed to prevent post nasal drip.

I hope you find the solution.

Jay

[Hidden]

Some people have a dozen dilatations, so having the process repeated is not a problem as such. I think it sometimes varies according to whether there is scarring around the surgical joint - this can be a very individual thing. The surgeons are always careful with it, and this is sensible. As Jay says, they can change the size of the balloon. The other thing that can happen, or perhaps it is a different location, is to have the pyloric sphincter (at the bottom of your stomach) stretched or cut to allow food to flow through better into the rest of your digestion system. Again, this is a fairly common adjustment after the main surgery, but it would depend on the details of what the surgeon did in your own original operation.

I think the idea of the stent would be to maintain the open passageway for food and get your system trained into becoming a more open valve. This sounds logical, and the surgeon will explain about removing the stent, which can come in all sorts of shapes and profiles, afterwards. They are like flexible tubes that hold the passageway open, but probably do not stretch open as much as our natural sphincter valves.

[janiehun]

Hi my hubby had numerous dilations (or stretches) after his op. He'd be fine for a while then food would get stuck all over again. Then he had a stent fitted he said it was the best thing to have and luckily for him he hasn't needed another stretch since. But everyone is different the stent worked for clive whereas other people don't need it. But if you have one its nothing to worry about and you won't feel anything inside of you but it will make a big difference to you and your eating. Good luck and let us know how you get on xxx

[Mikey2711]

Hi. Had my op Jan 2014, scar tissue a problem which required 6 dilatations, finally surgeon recommended a biodegradable stent. No pain apart from a little discomfort for. Day or so afterwards. Worked perfectly for 2-3 months, however another was needed following degrading. 3 months into my second stent and all is perfect. Hopefully it will be the same for you..- take care & good luck. Mikey

[youthemanjlb]

Yes I had a total esophagectomy in June of 10. Still couldn't swallow. Had a bunch of balloon endoscopies and a stent placed. 4 long years after surgery I'm at last able to swallow again albeit in smaller amounts as the surgeon took have my stomach to form a new esophagus.

[yourhoneybee]

I had my surgery Oct 31, 2013. I had 14 dilations in total, my last one was November 28th, 2014. Now everything seems to be working fine. I can even swallow my pills, some I still have to chew up. I am surprised that you would need a stint so early in the process.

[Deete15 in reply to yourhoneybee]

That’s encouraging I was told because my brother had 8 in 1 year it could be a risk of perforations or bleed