Gagging and throwing up white foamy stuff after esophagectomy

hendrla

My husband is 6 weeks post op after chemo/radiation and an esophagectomy. He is having difficulty eating and seems to gag and throw up a white foamy substance. Does anyone know what this is an d what causes it.

Tina Blondek

Hello and Welcome to our ec
Hello and Welcome to our ec family. I was a caregiver for my dad. He passed away this March from ec with mets to the liver. I am not familiar with this side effect, but I know that there are alot of other people here who will reply to you. I have heard of this often.I have read from other posts concerning this subject that the white foamy substance comes from eating too much dairy or sugar products. After the surgery the stomach does not process these foods too well. I would suggest that he stays away from too much dairy and sugar. Congratulations to your husband for having a successful surgery, hoping he has a great recovery. It is a slow and long process, but so much worth it. Peace be with you at this time.
Tina

MOE58

Yes I can Help
Welcome, and the reason he is doing the white foamy stuff this is normal after a esophojectomy, you have to remember his stomach isn't like what it use to be, and is trying to abosorb or get use to his new stomach. I was a caregiver for someone that had this same surgery, we also went through this. Your husband will not be able to actually throw up, and this is what he will do. You need to stay away from suger, and diary products, only small amounts like a pudding cup, comes in, no big glass of milk or he will have problems, it will be awhile before he will be able to drink or even have things like this, if he eats too much dairy he will have what they call the dumping syndrome which means he will visit MR. JOHN quite often. You have to eat small amounts if he is or was use to eating big meals he won't be able to anymore. soft things are the best, like oatmeal, eggs scrambled, gravy, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese things like that. As the doctor always told us you have a brand new stomach and it doesn't know what is going on so its trying to absorb all this nutrient and doesn't know what to do.

Meat wise is best as in soft like chicken and fish, those are the softest for trying to get down the new esophogaus. I know exactly how you are feeling right now. Mine was a stage 2 and will be one year on the 22nd of this month since the surgery and is doing great. You will see as you go down the journey you learn as you go. We all sometimes have to learn the hard way.

Do not let him overeat or he will do this. He pretty much will know when he is full. Just take it nice and slow and if I can help further let me know. I have done it all.

thanks and good luck
Lori/aka Moe58

MOE58

Yes I can Help
Welcome, and the reason he is doing the white foamy stuff this is normal after a esophojectomy, you have to remember his stomach isn't like what it use to be, and is trying to abosorb or get use to his new stomach. I was a caregiver for someone that had this same surgery, we also went through this. Your husband will not be able to actually throw up, and this is what he will do. You need to stay away from suger, and diary products, only small amounts like a pudding cup, comes in, no big glass of milk or he will have problems, it will be awhile before he will be able to drink or even have things like this, if he eats too much dairy he will have what they call the dumping syndrome which means he will visit MR. JOHN quite often. You have to eat small amounts if he is or was use to eating big meals he won't be able to anymore. soft things are the best, like oatmeal, eggs scrambled, gravy, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese things like that. As the doctor always told us you have a brand new stomach and it doesn't know what is going on so its trying to absorb all this nutrient and doesn't know what to do.

Meat wise is best as in soft like chicken and fish, those are the softest for trying to get down the new esophogaus. I know exactly how you are feeling right now. Mine was a stage 2 and will be one year on the 22nd of this month since the surgery and is doing great. You will see as you go down the journey you learn as you go. We all sometimes have to learn the hard way.

Do not let him overeat or he will do this. He pretty much will know when he is full. Just take it nice and slow and if I can help further let me know. I have done it all.

thanks and good luck
Lori/aka Moe58

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