Post-Op (>1 Year) Problems?

Has anybody who underwent an esophagectomy had any problems breathing while eating? Since the pulled-up gastric or colon is much larger than esophagus, when it’s filled with food it could compress the airways. Has anyone experienced that?

I’d also like to ask if you find certain foods more difficult/easier to eat, and what that is?

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

On 2/8/2008 Cactuslime wrote:

Has anybody who underwent an esophagectomy had any problems breathing while eating? Since the pulled-up gastric or colon is much larger than esophagus, when it’s filled with food it could compress the airways. Has anyone experienced that?

 

I’d also like to ask if you find certain foods more difficult/easier to eat, and what that is?

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

I have, but not in a panicky way - just if I eat too much then things feel "tight" for a few minutes.

In terms of foods, I found that I had to stay away from raw vegetables initially (I can have small amounts now - 2 years post-op) - they were really hard to digest.  I eat a lot of pasta/rice/chicken - cheese is good - but I have trouble with other dairy such as milk - can't just drink a glass of milk as it makes me feel YUGH!! but can have it in a latte??  Yogurt is iffy...  but good old cheddar cheese is absolutely fine??