Faced with the prospect of undergoing oesophagus cancer surgery? It can be a significant step in your fight against oesophageal cancer, but no one can truly predict the outcome.
The best course of action is to learn how to prepare yourself for your oesophagus cancer treatment and know what to expect afterwards. Let’s walk through these tips so you can have the operation with a stronger mindset.
Video Overview:
Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Your Surgery
Once your cancer specialist brings up the topic of oesophageal surgery, don’t hesitate to gather as much information as you can from them. Here are a few key questions to ask them:
- What will the surgery entail? – You can ask them regarding the type of procedure that will be done on you. While early-stage cancers use less invasive methods like endoscopic resections, more severe growths may require parts of your oesophagus or upper stomach removed.
- What are the potential risks or side effects? – All surgeries come with their own set of risks. For example, you may suffer from infections, bleeding, nerve damage, and leakages. Discuss these with your doctor so you know what complications you might have and how you can deal with them.
- What other oesophagus cancer treatments do I need? – Depending on how advanced your cancer is, you may need other treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, before or after the surgery.
- How long will it take to recover? – The specialist may provide an estimated timeline for your recovery.
How to Prepare Yourself for the Operation
Here are some more steps to follow so you can be ready for your oesophageal cancer surgery:
- Your cancer care team will give you detailed instructions before the procedure. These include nutritional guidelines and tests to take to assess your fitness, so be sure to follow them all.
- Make plans to have someone assist you at home while you recover from the surgery. This could mean hiring a caregiver or letting loved ones support you.
- Pack the essentials you need for your hospital stay, including clothes, toiletries, medications, and important documents.
- Oesophagus cancer treatments can be stressful, and surgery is no exception. Do not hesitate to join a support group or speak with a counsellor you can talk to so you can be mentally prepared as well.
What to Expect After the Surgery
Each person’s journey to recovery after their oesophagus cancer operation varies with each individual, so you might find your experience unique from another patient. However, there are a few aspects of the healing process that you can still expect:
- You’ll likely have to stay in the hospital for about a week or two so your medical providers can monitor and facilitate your recovery closely.
- They will also provide you with post-operative guidelines, such as medications, diet plans, and follow-up appointment schedules.
- Pain is common to have after your surgery, but your cancer care team can provide pain medications to relieve you.
- Do expect that you won’t be able to eat or drink normally for several weeks. You may require a feeding tube to get the proper nutrition.
- Should your recovery go smoothly, you may be able to resume your usual activities in a few months. However, some people can take up to a year to fully recover from the surgery.
Related Infographic: Essential Healthy Habits for a Strong Recovery After Oesophageal Cancer Surgery
Face Your Surgery With the Support You Need
Oesophageal cancer surgery is a major procedure, so you need to be thoroughly informed and prepared for the processes involved before and after it. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor to learn more about this operation and other oesophagus cancer treatments you need, and work with your healthcare team to be better prepared for whatever is to come.
With people to support you, you can face your upcoming surgery with confidence.
About the Author:
Rebecca Teo is a talented writer, a healthcare advocate, and a Marketing Executive. She has a deep-rooted fascination for medical advancements and women’s health issues so she has carved a niche for herself in the field of writing. Rebecca’s expertise spans a wide array of surgical specialties, including general surgery, endoscopy, urology, colorectal procedures, and hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery. Her ability to break down complex medical jargon into accessible and engaging narratives has earned her a loyal following among readers looking for credible healthcare information. Subscribe to Rebecca’s blog for insightful articles delivered straight to your inbox or leave a comment on her latest post. Rebecca loves answering questions and engaging with her readers.
