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Discharge Instructions for Esophagectomy

You had a procedure called esophagectomy, which means that part or all of your esophagus was removed. After this type of surgery, it is common to have some problems eating for a few months. Here's what you can do at home to help with your recovery.

Diet Changes

• Follow the diet your doctor prescribed for you.

• Choose foods that are soft and moist because they may be easier to digest.

• Avoid foods that produce gas, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, dried beans, lentils, onions, and peas.

How to Eat

• Eat small, frequent meals (6 to 8 per day).

• Eat your last meal or snack at least 2 to 3 hours before you go to bed.

• Take small bites, and chew your food well.

• Eat sweets at the end of your meal. Sweets are digested more quickly than other foods. Eating sweets first could lead to low blood sugar.

• Sit up straight when you eat. This way, gravity can help food move through your digestive tract.

• Continue to sit upright for 30 to 60 minutes after you eat.

• Don’t use a straw, smoke, or chew gum. These activities make you swallow air, which can increase gas.

Drinking Fluids

• Drink most of your fluids between meals. Limit your fluid with meals to ½ cup (4 ounces).

• When you eat snacks, limit fluids you drink with them to 1 cup (8 ounces).

Other Home Care

• Check your incision site daily for 1 week after discharge. Change the dressing according to the directions you were given.

• Use pain medication as necessary.

• Don't drive until you are off your pain medication and free of pain. This may take 2 to 4 weeks.

• Plan frequent rest periods to avoid shortness of breath.

• Perform deep breathing and controlled coughing exercises. Ask your healthcare provider for instructions.

• Break the smoking habit.

  • Enroll in a stop-smoking program to increase your chances of success.

  • Ask your doctor about medications or other methods to help you quit.

  • Ask family members to quit smoking as well.

  • Don't allow smoking in your home or around you.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

When to Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:

• Fever above 101°F

• Signs of infection around the incision (redness, drainage, warmth, pain)

• Shortness of breath without exertion

• Trouble swallowing

• Nausea or vomiting

Note: If you ever have trouble breathing, call 911 (emergency) right away.