Esophageal Cancer Support Group

My Drs. told me 30 days post-surgery. Course, that also depends on if your eating is going well and if they aren't doing additional chemo. I imagine it's different for everyone, so between the oncologist & surgeon (maybe the gastro Dr. too) you probably will find the answer that's right for you.

Even getting it in varies. They wanted mine in before even starting chemo. Others get it the day of their surgery. 8 days after surgery I wasn't using mine and wanted it out, but they said at least 30 days it needed to stay in. Not sure why, but on the 30th day - yep, I was in there :-) The surgeon took it out in his office. Mine was in my small intestine and not my stomach. Not sure if everyone with EC is like that or not. If not, then that might affect things too?

Wishing you the best! Brenda

HI - I had my tube inserted the day of surgery and stayed for nearly 3 months and went straight into my small intestine.

I had a lot of trouble with de-hydration and not being able to keep food down (sereve nausea) so the tube was invaluable to me.

As Brenda said everyone is different and the circumstances are different but if it's going to help you go for it.......

Praying for a speedy recovery.....

Cheers Annie the

I had mine inserted the day of surgery in small intestine. I had it for2 months. I had a leak at my neck so couldnt even swallow water for those 8 weeks. Good luck!

My hubby had his in for about 3 months and he never once used it (other than for the first few days after surgery. He started eating in the hospital and has been determined to keep doing it!). It was our radiation oncologist who finally did take it out during his 3rd week of radiation. He hated every second of that stupid tube!

Mine was in for nearly 4 months, but at least the last 6 weeks of this were the fault of my "rehab" nursing home negligence. My surgeon was utlra conservative and wouldn't allow even water to be swallowed for a full month following THE. I still recall the thirst and only being allowed to chew ice chips if I then spit them out. I didn't mind the tube at all, especially because I could inject all my meds through it.

Mine was put in during surgery and was out 2 weeks after surgery. I only used it in the hospital just after surgery. Was eating before I left the hospital. Hated the tube LOL.

Mine was placed during my surgery. I will see my surgeon next Wednesday and he says he plans to remove it then. I'm able to eat and drink and keep things down. Otherwise, it would be staying in longer.

My surgery was June 5 and mine was taken almost 2 weeks ago. I was using a calorie counter app because I just had to get that tube out. It kept coming out and re-stitched.

It shouldn't be long until you get your tube out, I hope. They don't like to keep it in longer than 6 weeks.

Like the others are saying, it is different for everyone and it really has a lot to do with how your progress is going.

Be well.

i had it inserted during the surgery and used it for 9 days in the hospital following surgery. I still remember during those 9 days i forgot about food pretty quickly but I absolutely craved a cold drink of water. I was eating fully by the time I left the hospital and about 3 weeks post surgery I coughed and the tube came loose....got rid of it that way. Losing the tube was great...but I started to get really optimistic when they took my port out...that meant no more chemo anticipated...ML.

It basically stays in until your surgeon decides you are not going to need it. With me it stayed in until my week followup with my surgeon. Every case is different.
John