Esophageal Cancer Support Group

Hi Donna: I am able to eat ALL foods :-) And, yes, I can eat meat. Steak - yum! I don't eat much fish only because I never did. I love shrimp and have eaten it and can with no problem. My swallowing is perfectly like normal, so I don't have to worry about little bites or of it being soft food, etc. I am about 9 months post surgery right now.

Right after surgery, I took it slow to learn what set well with me. They gave me a diet that was titled gastric by-pass (I think) and I thought - gee, why would they give me this, since I didn't have that? But I figured it was the closest thing they had to what I had.

I didn't want anything to go wrong and my gastroenterologist (who is a very caring, overprotective Dr.) told me to be sure and take slow, small bites to start out. I sure did. I did exactly that!

After surgery for a few days I couldn't eat anything because there's a medical reason. I think because that hose was down my nose? Oh, no, I think it was because it had to heal some. Yes, that was it. After a certain amount of days passed, then they had me drink something and did a test to make sure nothing leaked and it didn't - yippee! So, I could have liquids, then soft foods, then regular foods. I think it may have been 5 days, but I'm not positive. Your surgeon(s) can tell you exactly what to expect.

I remember after I ate for some time (weeks?) I felt weak and a little not so good after eating. I think it was just an adjustment, so I allowed myself to go straight to a chair and rest until it passed. Sometimes I did sit with a little garbage can in hand - just in case. Sometimes I took a nausea pill. In time, for me, it seemed that it was all about the quantity, but maybe it just takes time to adjust to foods again.

I wouldn't be scared of what you can eat after surgery, as I suspect you'll be like me and can eat anything (just smaller portions). It took me time to enjoy eating again, which I thought was probably from the chemo taking away my taste for foods.

Food smells very good to me and tastes wonderful now too. Luckily I don't need or feel a need for a lot of food. I don't really get hungry, so I eat now more because I should and enjoy it when I do.

As far as the surgery, I was scared too, but I knew I had to have it. By the time I was to have it, I really just wanted to get it done and try and get back to normal. I knew they would have me sleeping when they did it and that when I would wake up they'd be there taking care of me and telling me what to do. That's exactly how it worked.

All you have to do is go there and have it done. Wake up and listen to what they say, look out for yourself, too, and remember that each day you will be healing and getting better toward normal again :-)

If at any point you want to talk with me on the phone I have free long distance and would be happy to talk with you anytime before or after your surgery. Or I can send you my phone # through "send message" if you ever want to call me.

You can do this :-) I prayed and had many people praying for me. I tried to let go and let God (as they say). I tried turning it over to God and trust his journey for me. You're in my prayers and I have a feeling you'll get through this just like I did :-)

Feel free to write me here anytime, as well :-) God bless. Brenda

Hi Brenda,
I want to thank you for your advice and your input. I read some things that people were saying about choking and getting food stuck and also some said they could not eat meat so your input is very encouraging. I only hope I do so well post surgery. thanks again, really appreciate it.
Donna70

You're welcome :-) I didn't have any choking or food getting stuck after my surgery :-) Again, just remember when they first bring you food at the hospital to take it slow and take small bites. Get a feel for how much you feel is the right amount for you. Now, I feel like I eat about a cup full of food at one sitting. Course, I can eat a whole bag(?) - or pretty near it - of microwave popcorn now and can eat a large piece of watermelon because I think they shrink pretty quickly as they are in there? I've graduated to being able to eat a full sandwich but I definitely eat less than I did before surgery. But that's a good thing for me! I weigh about 155 pounds and am 5'2. I maintain my weight with no problem and am at a comfortable weight for me.

I lost a lot of weight while waiting to have my surgery, due to my swallowing issue, chemo, radiation and the time waiting for surgery. They didn't want me to lose weight, but I couldn't help it. I did have a lot of weight I needed to lose, but recognized it was not the time to lose it. But, we have to listen to our bodies too, I think. Keep in touch with your progress and any questions I can help put your mind to rest. You'll be fine :-)