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Esophagectomy: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

An esophagectomy (say "ee-sof-uh-JEK-tuh-mee") is surgery to remove all or part of the esophagus. Your doctor made large cuts in the belly and the upper chest or neck to do the surgery. Where the cuts are depends on where the problem was.

When you leave the hospital, the area around the cuts (incisions) may still be swollen or bruised. It may also feel numb. This is normal and may continue for a few weeks. You will probably need to take pain medicine for a few weeks.

You will have to be very careful about what you eat for several months after surgery and maybe for the rest of your life. You will probably have a feeding tube (J-tube) in your belly. This will come out when you can eat normally and get enough nutrition. This could be about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, but it could take longer. Your doctor will give you detailed information on what you can eat, how you should eat, and how to use the feeding tube.

You may also have digestive problems for a few months. These include weight loss, a lot of gas, and a problem called dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome usually occurs after you eat rich or fatty meals. It may cause you to feel light-headed or sick to your stomach, or to have cramps and diarrhea.

Most people go back to work or their normal routine after 6 to 12 weeks. You will need more time to get better if you need other treatment for cancer, such as chemotherapy. It will take 3 to 4 months to get back to your usual activities.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

Rest when you feel tired.
Be active. Walking is a good choice.
You may be able to take showers (unless you have a drain in your incision). If you have a drain, follow your doctor's instructions to empty and care for it. Keep your feeding tube taped to your skin so it will not fall off. Do not soak in a tub or use a hot tub.
Do not lean your head back quickly or for a long period of time. This puts pressure on the neck and may slow your healing.
You can do your normal activities when it feels okay to do so.
Allow your body to heal. Don't move quickly or lift anything heavy until you are feeling better.
Ask your doctor when you can drive again.

Diet

Your diet will go from a clear liquid diet, to a full liquid diet, and then to a soft diet before you can eat normally. This generally takes 1 to 2 months. Your doctor will give you specific information about what you can eat. In general:

If you are on a clear liquid diet, eat or drink clear, fat-free broth or bouillon soup. You can also eat flavoured ice pops and gelatin.
If you are on a full liquid diet, you can have everything on the clear liquid diet. You can also have creamy soups, cooked cereals, milk, protein shakes, fruit juices, puddings, and ice cream.
If you are on a soft diet, eat foods that are easy to swallow and digest. These include:
- Most cereals.
- Scrambled eggs and omelets.
- Canned or cooked fruits.
- Finely ground beef, chicken, turkey, and pork.
- Mild cheeses.
- Mashed potatoes.
- Cooked or pureed vegetables.
- Yogurt.

Medicines

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

Incision care

If you have strips of tape on the incision, leave the tape on until it falls off.
Gently run warm, soapy water over the area, rinse, and pat it dry. Your doctor will tell you how to take care of this. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes fluid or rubs against clothing. Change the bandage every day.

Other instructions

It is normal to have some yellowish mucus around your feeding tube. This is not a sign of infection.
Keep your feeding tube clamped unless you are using it.
Keep the tube taped to your skin at all times, and leave some slack in the tube. This helps prevent pain and keeps the tube from coming out.
If you are using your feeding tube:
- Clean around the tube with water before and after you use it.
- Flush the tube as often as your doctor tells you to.
- Do not put any pills through the tube. They can clog it.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You passed out (lost consciousness).
You are short of breath.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- A fever.
You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
Bright red blood has soaked through your bandage.
You are sick to your stomach or cannot keep fluids down.
You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness and swelling in your leg or groin.
You cannot pass stools or gas.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if you have any problems.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter Y054 in the search box to learn more about "Esophagectomy: What to Expect at Home".

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.