Question 1

how long does it usually take to recover after esophageal surgery?

Accepted Answer

It varies per person: Esophageal surgery, specifically esophagectomy is "varsity" level or big surgery.  Often it may take 6 months to a year for someone to forget that they had surgery.

Question 2

can i still have esophageal surgery even though i have a mild case of bronchitis?

Accepted Answer

Best to wait: Untill after you have recovered from the acute episode of bronchitis.

Question 3

will a peg tube help my 64 yr old mother gain weight? had esophageal surgery and lost 90lbs since jan.  says she has no appetite. 140lbs now

Accepted Answer

Stabilize, then gai: With esophageal surgery, it is probably hard for you mother to eat, or eat sufficient amounts, to maintain weight. Not to mention that esophageal cancer takes a toll on the body as well. The purpose of the PEG feeding tube is to get food &amp; medicine to the stomach so as to stabilize your mother's condition. Once her weight has stabilized, then you can take steps to try to gain weight.

Question 4

what kind of anesthesia is used for a patient undergoing esophageal surgery?

Accepted Answer

Usually general: The airway (trachea) will need to secured if the surgery involves removing this organ so a breathing tube will be placed.
If the procedure is an esophagoscopy (egd) then sedation is all that is needed.

Question 5

how much time do the bands last after esophageal varices surgery. do you have to have them replaced?

Accepted Answer

Esophageal banding: Esophageal banding essentially puts a "rubber band" like device around an enlarged blood vessel in the esophagus that is bleeding or at risk for bleeding. This banding essentially cuts off the blood supply. After this is performed the band will eventually fall off in a few days to a week. You might see the band pass in your stool.  If you had banding done you may need again sometime in the future.

Question 6

how often will i need to have endoscopies after my esophageal cancer surgery?

Accepted Answer

Maybe 0: Patients who undergo surgery for esophageal cancer are generally enrolled in a surveillance program.  This may entail chest ct scans every 4 months for 2 years, than every 6 months for 1 year, then once a year.  Suspicious things on ct scan can be followed up with a pet scan.  Routine surveillance endoscopy is not necessary, unless used for addressing symptoms.

Question 7

how can you treat a really bad cough when you had esophageal atresia surgery a long time ago?

Accepted Answer

Mgt/workup: It really depends on the underlying cause. If you have had a repair of esophageal atresia, there can be areas of swelling that may impinge on the airway. I would recommend seeing your physician and having pulmonary function testing and a TB test.
A virtual appt is available online.

Question 8

what can you do if you got a really bad cough and you had esophageal atresia surgery as a baby?

Accepted Answer

Uber-late fistula: With esophageal atresia, one would worry whether you ever had a tracheo-esophageal fistula.  If so, the cough could signal some kind of leak in the integrity of the esophagus.  Get to an ENT (airway) or GI (food path) so that you can get checked out.

Question 9

what is the chance of getting an esophageal disorder after surgery? had acdf surgery in nov. i've been clearing my throat of excess mucus since. then i developed severe pain when swallowing &"tickle cough". nystatin helped but i got sick upon using?

Accepted Answer

: During the ACDF surgery, the esophagus is moved aside for approaching the spine so complication may involve the esophagus. If you have not seen a gastroenterologist for these symptoms you should be referred. A swallowing study (esophagram) can be ordered by your primary doctor in the mean time if not done yet.

Question 10

could having surgery for esophageal cancer make me lose my memory?

Accepted Answer

Sort of: Its not uncommon to have changes in short term memory, concentration and some cognitive function after major surgery.  The stress of surgery diverts the body's nutrients towards healing (catabolic state or "fight or flight") as opposed to higher brain function.  This is usually self limiting, and will get better the further out you are from surgery.

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Doctor answers about:

Esophageal surgery

A member asked:

How long does it usually take to recover after esophageal surgery?

A member asked:

Can i still have esophageal surgery even though i have a mild case of bronchitis?

A member asked:

Will a peg tube help my 64 yr old mother gain weight? had esophageal surgery and lost 90lbs since jan. says she has no appetite. 140lbs now

A member asked:

What kind of anesthesia is used for a patient undergoing esophageal surgery?

A member asked:

How much time do the bands last after esophageal varices surgery. do you have to have them replaced?

A member asked:

How often will i need to have endoscopies after my esophageal cancer surgery?

A member asked:

How can you treat a really bad cough when you had esophageal atresia surgery a long time ago?

A member asked:

What can you do if you got a really bad cough and you had esophageal atresia surgery as a baby?

A member asked:

What is the chance of getting an esophageal disorder after surgery? had acdf surgery in nov. i've been clearing my throat of excess mucus since. then i developed severe pain when swallowing &"tickle cough". nystatin helped but i got sick upon using?

A member asked:

Could having surgery for esophageal cancer make me lose my memory?

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