7 weeks post op.

Hi Citrina welcome to the forum. That's a huge operation you have had and it is still so very early in the healing process for you..I can imagine the sensation of feeling constricted is as a result of the op but not sure on that one. Maybe best to get in touch with your team and speak to them directly re this. I hope you manage to get some relief and some answers for you. If you wanted to you could always give the Macmillan Line a call and speak to one of the Advisors there. 08088080000. Best wishes for your speedy recovery..

Hey there Catrina 

I'm 7 weeks post op too so I can definitely give you an opinion on this one. Yes I agree, it feels like I'm wearing a Victorian corset much of the time!  I had a meeting with the surgeon on Wednesday and asked her about it. When you're in hospital and for a few weeks after your body is basically full of drugs! As the amount of pain relief is reduced and they gradually wear off the pain gradually worsens. My main incision on my side went from totally numb, to being itchy and is now sore and tight. This tightness stretches on the whole of my right side from mid chest to the middle of my back. I also feel like my stomach is being pulled apart....because it has!! LoL

We'll get there!

Anthony x

Hi Bilious Bob, Thank you for your reply. I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one! Your size of scar sounds like the same as mine except mine is on the left side. I'm still having to sleep on the sofa as can't get comfy in bed. Everything feels so tight that it effects my breathing at times. Whenever I eat it feels even tighter! Eating protein and pain killers make me constipated, can't win at the moment lol!. Waiting to hear if I need another lot of chemo now! 

Yes we will get there

x

COSTWAY 7PCS Bed Wedge Pillows Set, Adjustable Memory Foam Incline Cushion with Headrest & Leg Elevation, Orthopedic Bed Back Support Pillow for Post Surgery, Reading, Acid Reflux, Pain Relief (White)

I bought this from Amazon which helped a lot. It's very comfy and you can use it in different configurations. Have you not been booked in to have your 2nd course of FLOT yet? Mine starts on the 2nd of December which I'm not looking forward to AT ALL! Happy Christmas eh?!! I've never heard of anyone having the operation on their left side, that's very unusual!

Anthony x

Thanks, I'll have to get one. I had a left thoraco-abdominal oesophagectomy. A small tumour was removed from the bottom of my oesophagus and my lower stomach had to be stretched upwards to rejoin the oesophagus. Stomach is now further up and smaller! I now have to eat 6 small amounts of food a day. Oncologist appointment next week he didn't give a date for follow up FLOT as I wasn't feeling too brilliant on my last visit after the op but may give me date next week.

Anna x

Well you learn something new every day! I've never heard of this type of surgery before. I had Ivor Lewis surgery with keyhole/robotic surgery for the stomach part of the operation 

Hi Anna,

I am over eight months post surgery and I still get tightness around the chest. I find that standing up and taking a few deep breaths helps to stretch things out a bit. I also can’t stay seated for very long after eating but have to either walk about a bit or go for a lie down for awhile. All part of my. “new normal” I guess

morning guys, after the op is it right to say they are keen to get you eating via your mouth, asap, currently all via jpeg tube thank god, have oncologist on 27th 2 days before treatment finishes 29th.  anything we should make sure we ask, last 2 appointments were awful, apart from a roomful, the last appointment he asked how he could help!! what, you called the meeting, maybe give me some more time to live and explain what the hell you want to do!!.  both time we left, me in tears, totally clueless (apart from all your lovely info and honest insight) book still closed with all our questions not even asked, dont know what im dreading more.

thank you, think im in too much sleep overload this morning!!

jules

I was on a mix of feeding tube and pureed food while I was in hospital. I came home with the feeding tube but haven't used it at all since then. They advised to keep it in until my chemo is finished as I'll probably need it during chemo due to the usual loss of appetite and sense of taste 

I was told that they couldn't fit me with a feeding tube as I had  lesion. As soon as I was on the ward I was given pureed food. I'm still having a little pureed food but mostly mashed. I'm still having one protein drink a day as my appetite isn't too good at the moment. Whenever I eat the tightness gets worse.