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Surgery for removing the esophagus is a main operation which takes more time for recovery. Following the post operative instructions and also choosing the correct hospital for the surgery will decrease the risk and the time for recovery.

It may take 7-8 hours for completing the surgery to remove the esophageal cancer. It generally results in the esophagus replacement with the stomach which will be pulled up into the chest cavity and will again be connected to the balance esophagus.

The patient will wake up for finding the plethora of tubes that invades the body. Every incision will be with a tube for draining the area that is wounded. The belly will be with a feeding tube, which will generally be installed before the surgery. A tube will be placed in the throat and also in the nose for draining out the fluids that may start building up again in gastric system. The medicines will be supplied through the needles in the arm and probably in the spine for controlling the pain that is occurring due to the surgery. The cuffs that are inflatable may be present around the calves that will inflate or deflate periodically for the circulation of blood and also for prevention of blood from pooling in the legs. A tube can also be seen for draining out the urine for the initial days while the patient stays in the bed.

The patient will definitely experience discomfort and pain. The level of the pain depends on the surgery invasiveness. Frequently, the patient will be given PCA called Patient Controlled Anesthesia for controlling the pain.

One of the lungs would have collapsed by the doctors during the time of surgery. It is quite important to do breathing exercises after the surgery for expansion of the lungs and also to eliminate any of the fluid that is developed and turn as pneumonia. The patient will be asked to breathe into the spirometer that will give indication regarding breathing strength, and to cough frequently to expel mucus and the fluids. This is hard and also not a very comfortable exercise, but is very important for good recovery. The spirometer is particularly useful as an item for motivation with the patient who has an intention to improve every reading over the time.

A main post operative danger is leakage at the joint of the stomach and the esophagus. A leak at this place may lead to the entry of drink and food to the chest cavity and thus creating systemic infection. Hence, the patient will not be fed by mouth for many days after the operation. The water will also be not given to patients for consumption. The patient will be fed with the help of the feeding tube till such time the tests prove that the junction is good. After the tests that are successful, the patient can commence to eat very soft foods, slowly moving to the very usual diet. After the surgery, it is better to walk for speedy recovery.