Re: dilation of scar tissue after esophagectomy - I need advice please

[Guest guest]

Ginny

What you described from your other procedures is about the same thing that I

felt after having it done! I am not sure since they did the pull up if the

dilation will act as the same animal that we all become accustom too, when

we have had to have multiple dilations! I would think the anesthesia would

act about the same, cuz that really doesn't change! I've come to realize the

more they put me out.the more my body gets use to it and it seems to take a

little more each time!! But I'm not sure about how your " throat " will

feel!! Maybe Isabella will chime in!!! She has had them done a lot!!!

From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf

Of ginnyfamily2004

Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 10:26 AM

achalasia

Subject: dilation of scar tissue after esophagectomy - I need

advice please

Dear Group,

I had my esophagectomy in May 2007 (with a stomach pullup - surgery

was done completely laparoscopically). I recently had a barium

swallow and I am in need of a dilation of my anastomosis due to scar

tissue. I have developed a busy busy life since my recovery (I teach

4 college classes now) and I need to know if I will be able to

function the day after the dilation procedure. The dilation will be

done in a hospital under general anesthesia and I will be driven home

by my husband. Will I be able to clear the anesthesia enough to drive

my car the next day? Will I have a sore throat? Will I be able to

talk. When I used to have dilations of the LES (last one was done in

1997), I functioned pretty well the next day and only had a slightly

sore throat. Any advice would be a great help to me in making plans

after the dilatation.

Ginny

[Guest guest]

Hi Ginny,

I've had numerous dilatations after my -ectomy 31 March last. I lost count. In

fact I had one today, as you mention, also under general anestecia. Of course

you cannot drive a car the same day, though I always feel like I can (I don't do

it, as I am told I shouldn't). I feel fine immediately after the procedure and I

am working tomorrow as well.

It's going to be fine.

Isabella

________________________________

From: ginnyfamily2004 <ginnyfamily2004@...>

achalasia

Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 5:25:39 PM

Subject: dilation of scar tissue after esophagectomy - I need advice

please

Dear Group,

I had my esophagectomy in May 2007 (with a stomach pullup - surgery

was done completely laparoscopically) . I recently had a barium

swallow and I am in need of a dilation of my anastomosis due to scar

tissue. I have developed a busy busy life since my recovery (I teach

4 college classes now) and I need to know if I will be able to

function the day after the dilation procedure. The dilation will be

done in a hospital under general anesthesia and I will be driven home

by my husband. Will I be able to clear the anesthesia enough to drive

my car the next day? Will I have a sore throat? Will I be able to

talk. When I used to have dilations of the LES (last one was done in

1997), I functioned pretty well the next day and only had a slightly

sore throat. Any advice would be a great help to me in making plans

after the dilatation.

Ginny

[Guest guest]

Ginny, I did not have general anesthesia with my recent dilation. I

had something that just dulled the pain. Then, I went for a barium

swallow, on to see Dr. Rice, and shopping afterward. It was that easy;

however, if you are going to have general anesthesia, you may want to

take off the next day. By the way, I just emailed you from my personal

address.

I had no problem with my throat.

InVa

>

> Ginny

>

> What you described from your other procedures is about the same

thing that I

> felt after having it done! I am not sure since they did the pull up

if the

> dilation will act as the same animal that we all become accustom

too, when

> we have had to have multiple dilations! I would think the anesthesia

would

> act about the same, cuz that really doesn't change! I've come to

realize the

> more they put me out.the more my body gets use to it and it seems to

take a

> little more each time!! But I'm not sure about how your " throat " will

> feel!! Maybe Isabella will chime in!!! She has had them done a lot!!!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ]

On Behalf

> Of ginnyfamily2004

> Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 10:26 AM

> achalasia

> Subject: dilation of scar tissue after esophagectomy - I

need

> advice please

>

>

>

> Dear Group,

> I had my esophagectomy in May 2007 (with a stomach pullup - surgery

> was done completely laparoscopically). I recently had a barium

> swallow and I am in need of a dilation of my anastomosis due to scar

> tissue. I have developed a busy busy life since my recovery (I teach

> 4 college classes now) and I need to know if I will be able to

> function the day after the dilation procedure. The dilation will be

> done in a hospital under general anesthesia and I will be driven home

> by my husband. Will I be able to clear the anesthesia enough to drive

> my car the next day? Will I have a sore throat? Will I be able to

> talk. When I used to have dilations of the LES (last one was done in

> 1997), I functioned pretty well the next day and only had a slightly

> sore throat. Any advice would be a great help to me in making plans

> after the dilatation.

>

> Ginny

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I really appreciate the feedback from the group. I just did a

literature search on the need for a dilataton of scar tissue after

esophagectomy and it is quite common especially in the first year or

so. I will take the advice about preparing for soft food after the

procedure, though. Lately, food has been getting hung up at the

anastomosis. In the barium swallow, a pill did get hung up. The

stricture has greatly reduced the repertoire of what I can eat,

needless to say. I am still eating most everything, but I have to be

careful about nuts, any large pills such as calcium supplement, skin

on fruit (such as apples). I cut up meat, fruit, veggies, etc into

pieces no larger than an eraser. I am looking forward to getting the

stricture treated. On the good side, the barium swallow showed that

my stomach fills nearly my entire chest cavity, which means that I can

eat a fair quantity of food at meals.

Ginny

[Guest guest]

Before I had the dilation a few weeks ago, I could not swallow any

large pill or anything with any substance. Dr. Rice did say that I

might need one more dilation after this one, but that should be it.

I still have to be careful with apples...no skin, but other than that,

I am eating everything. I just, of course, cannot eat large amounts.

InVa

>

>

> I really appreciate the feedback from the group. I just did a

> literature search on the need for a dilataton of scar tissue after

> esophagectomy and it is quite common especially in the first year or

> so. I will take the advice about preparing for soft food after the

> procedure, though. Lately, food has been getting hung up at the

> anastomosis. In the barium swallow, a pill did get hung up. The

> stricture has greatly reduced the repertoire of what I can eat,

> needless to say. I am still eating most everything, but I have to be

> careful about nuts, any large pills such as calcium supplement, skin

> on fruit (such as apples). I cut up meat, fruit, veggies, etc into

> pieces no larger than an eraser. I am looking forward to getting the

> stricture treated. On the good side, the barium swallow showed that

> my stomach fills nearly my entire chest cavity, which means that I can

> eat a fair quantity of food at meals.

>

> Ginny

>