RE: Dilation of anastomosis - post esophagectomy (May 2007)

[Guest guest]

Congratulations Ginny!!!!!!

That's exactly how I feel now. I haven't tried raw carrots either. I had an

earlier incident with steak and a piece of weiner got stuck and caused a panic.

I had to physically manipulate the food down by massaging my throat. After

that, I figured I could enjoy life without steak. Everyone is so different

here. I had to eat a hospital meal before Doctor Gehman would release me. Some

people are told to stay on soft foods for their first month. Everyone has their

own story, I guess.

Be careful . . . the weight comes on fast!!!!!

(I've gained 40 lbs and would have been happy with 30 - 140 lbs

and 42 years old)

achalasia@...: ginnyfamily2004@...: Wed, 10 Dec

2008 15:36:27 +0000Subject: Dilation of anastomosis - post

esophagectomy (May 2007)

Three weeks ago, I had the first dilation of my anastomosis after my

esophagectomy in May 2007. I appreciate all the information and support provided

by this group before my dilation.My esophagectomy in 2007 was a stomach pull-up,

all done laparoscopically at Mt. Sinai hospital (New York City) by L.

Katz, M.D. I had developed a narrowing of the anastomosis opening, described as

a washer with a shelf. Apparently, I was told after the endoscopy, that the

opening to my stomach was fairly large except thre was the washer of tissue at

the top that needed dilation. The shelf was hanging up food and pills. The

hanging up subsequently caused spasms and considerable pain with vomiting the

month before the dilation. I also lost 10 pounds (I was nearly 112 pounds and

approaching wearing a size 0). I was eating a lot of cottage cheese, and cutting

up all my food to the size of a pencil eraser. The dilation was done by Dr.

at Mt. Sinai under general anesthesia(GI doc recommended by Dr. Katz).I

think that I am the happiest person in the world since the dilation of my

anastomosis. I believe that this is the first time in 40 years that I have been

able to eat without being afraid of eating. My weight is back up to 119 pounds,

and I can eat absolutely anything. Yesterday, I ate an apple with its skin!!! I

have been unable to eat an unpeeled apple for several months. I can eat popcorn,

cantalope, chicken, turkey, crispy Thai duck, beef (I still stick to

tenderloin), softened carrots (I am still afraid to eat uncooked carrots),

cucumber slices (they had always been to tough it eat), grapes, walnuts (I still

avoid harder nuts), asparagus. These are all foods that were getting hung up on

my anastomosis over the past few months since it is hard to reduce them to the

size of a pencil eraser. I wonder if the LUQ spasms that I was experiencing were

in fact laryngeal spasms. I have been able to resume my calcium/vitamin D and

multivitamin supplementation by consuming chewable tablets. I have not had a

single episode of spasms or vomiting since the dilation. My changed attitude

about food was so evident to me yesterday when I loaded up the refrigerator and

freezer from a shopping trip. Before the dilation, my daughter was complaining

about how empty the refrigerator had become with only soft foods. I can pretty

much eat as late as 9 pm without fear of reflux or aspiration. I am careful,

though, to elevate my head on a wedge, and to avoid sleeping on my stomach. For

the first time ever, I can eat out at restaurants with friends/family members

with no fear whatsoever of food getting stuck. I rarely am able to finish the

single portions, though, provided in most restaurants without experiencing

overfill discomfort. I have found that it critical for me to STOP eating when I

feel full since over-eating can cause me considerable discomfort and pressure in

my chest area. If that happens, I really have to sit quietly and weather the

discomfort which passes in about 20 minutes. Since viewing the results of my

barium swallow, I have a better idea of my stomach volume. It is NOT a pouch as

I once believed. It is really a full stomach filling my whole chest cavity. When

I feel full, I stop eating, bring home the rest of the food, and just wait an

hour or so to finish the meal. Ginny

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