Discharge Instructions for Esophagectomy

You had a procedure called esophagectomy. This means that part or all of your esophagus was removed. After this type of surgery, it often takes a few months for eating habits to return to normal.

If you are going home with a feeding tube (jejunostomy tube/J-tube), you should have received instructions on how to use and care for it from your healthcare provider.

Please see below for what you can do at home to help with your recovery:

Diet changes

• Follow the diet your healthcare provider prescribed for you.
• Choose foods that are soft and moist. They may be easier to digest.
• Avoid foods that produce gas. This includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, dried beans, lentils, onions and peas.
• Avoid spicy foods and any foods that cause indigestion.

How to eat

• Eat small, frequent meals (6 to 8 times 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.
• Sit up straight when you eat. This way, gravity can help food move through your digestive tract.
• Keep sitting upright for 30 to 60 minutes after you eat.
• Do not 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 2 weeks after discharge or as recommended by your healthcare provider. Change the dressing according to the directions you were given. 
• Use pain medicine as needed but try not to take pain relievers for longer than 4 to 7 days.
• To prevent constipation while using the pain medicine, take stool softeners. 
• If you were sent home with antibiotics, take them as prescribed. Finish all of the medicine, even if you feel better.
• Crush all pills to make swallowing easier.
• Bathe and shower as usual.
• Weigh yourself a few times a week and keep a record.  Bring it with you to your next appointment. 
• Avoid driving until you are cleared by your healthcare provider
• Avoid strenuous activities for 12 weeks. Ask you provider when you can go back to daily activities, work, and having sex.
• Plan frequent rest times to avoid shortness of breath.
• Do deep breathing and controlled coughing exercises. Ask your provider for instructions.
• Break the smoking habit:
  • Join a stop-smoking program to increase your chances of success.
  • Ask your provider about medicines or other methods to help you quit.
  • Ask family members to quit smoking as well.
  • Do not allow smoking in your home or around you.

Follow-Up

• Report any problems to your provider right away.  
• Follow up with your healthcare provider or as advised.
• Be sure to keep all follow-up appointments.
• Ask your provider about patient and family support groups for people who have had this procedure.