Nutrition is important to promote healing and prevent weight loss after an esophagectomy. Esophagectomy is surgery to remove part or all of your esophagus, a tube that moves food from your throat to your stomach. Your esophagus is then rebuilt using part of your stomach or small intestine. Generally, esophagectomy is used to treat esophageal, or throat cancer. Your doctor will provide dietary guidelines upon discharge from the hospital. There are general guidelines that esophagectomy patients follow.
Meats and Proteins
Opt for lean meat and protein. Eat ground, chopped or slow-cooked tender meats, such as pot roast and stews. Avoid tough, stringy meat, such as corned beef. Choose lean, tender meats, such as chicken breast. Avoid highly spiced or seasoned meats, and avoid fried meats. Choose lean fish, such as rainbow trout, cod and sole. Have eggs, smooth peanut butter, low-fat cheese, tofu and soy products.
Fruits and Vegetables
Eat fresh, frozen or canned, unsweetened fruit and fruit juices. Avoid all dried fruits, sweetened fruit juice, fruits canned with syrup and citrus fruits. Have plenty of cooked, fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables and vegetable juices, such as green beans, carrots, cauliflower and collard greens. Avoid fried vegetables and tomato juices. If raw vegetables are tolerated, cut them into small pieces, so they are easy to swallow.
Breads, Cereals and Starches
Choose unsweetened, dry cereals and cooked cereals, such as oatmeal, cream of wheat, cream of rice and grits. Well-toasted breads and dense breads may also be tolerated. Avoid hard pretzels and corn chips; they can cause discomfort. Avoid English muffins, thick-crust pizza, bagels, rolls and soft breads. For starches, eat potatoes, rice, barley, noodles and pasta. Avoid any starches that contain added sugar.
Fats, Soups and Beverages
Eat only moderate amounts of butter, margarine, salad dressing, sour cream and cream cheese. Avoid sweetened salad dressings. Beverages you can enjoy include unsweetened fruit juices, water, tea and milk if tolerated. Avoid alcohol, sweetened fruit drinks, carbonated beverages, coffee, chocolate milk and milkshakes. Have soup made with well-cooked meats and vegetables. Avoid soups made with heavy cream and soups made with tomato.
Sweets and Desserts
Eat sugar-free pudding or custard, sugar-free gelatin, sugar-free ice pops, sherbet, frozen yogurt and ice milk. Avoid sweets and desserts made with sugar. Avoid dried fruits and chocolate. Use sugar substitutes and eat sweets made with sugar substitutes. Avoid syrup, honey, jelly, molasses and marshmallows.
Tips
Drink six 8-oz. glasses of fluid daily. Eat slowly and chew your food well. Eat six small, nutritious meals throughout the day. Take small bites. Stop eating when you start feeling full. If a particular food causes discomfort, omit it until symptoms subside. If your appetite is poor, drink high-protein liquids to prevent weight loss. Your doctor will recommend a multivitamin to help prevent weight loss as well.
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