Eating well after an oesophageal stent placement
Information for patients from the Dietetic Department
What is an oesophageal stent?
An oesophageal stent is a flexible metal mesh that helps to keep your food pipe (oesophagus) open. It is placed through an area which is too tight. It makes swallowing easier and allows you to continue eating and drinking.
Once the stent expands, it will widen the tight area in your oesophagus. However, it is not as wide or flexible as a normal oesophagus. You will need to take care with the texture of food and how you eat to help prevent it from blocking.
The stent is permanent. It will stay in place and help you swallow safely.
What happens after my stent is placed?
Your throat and oesophagus may feel sore for a short time after the procedure. Only drink fluids for the first 24 to 48 hours after the stent has been inserted. Start slowly and build up your diet as the stent expands and your swallowing improves.
| Day | What to have | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Clear fluids only | Water, diluted squash, clear soup or stock for example OXO, Bovril or Marmite, jelly, ice lollies, black tea / coffee, apple juice |
| Day 2 | Free fluids | Soup with no bits, milk and milky drinks, yoghurt, ice cream, custard |
| Days 3 to 4 | Soft or mashed food | Scrambled egg, mashed potato, mashed banana, flaked fish with sauce, porridge, rice pudding |
| Day 5 | Gradually increase texture | Soft foods with plenty of sauce or gravy; avoid hard or dry foods |
How can I prevent my stent from blocking?
Sit up straight while eating. Stay upright for at least 30 to 60 minutes after meals.
Eat slowly and take small mouthfuls.
Chew food thoroughly and avoid swallowing large lumps.
Choose soft, moist foods with gravy, sauce, custard or cream.
Keep fluids nearby and sip regularly during and after meals.
Avoid hard, dry, or sticky foods that could block the stent (for example, bread crusts or tough meat).
If you wear dentures, make sure they fit well to help with chewing.
Foods to choose and foods to avoid with an oesophageal stent
| Food group | Choose | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Meat and poultry | Tender, well-cooked meat served with plenty of sauce or gravy, minced meat, casseroles, skinless soft sausages (poached) | Tough, dry, or gristly meat, steak, chops, hard / crispy sausages, burgers |
| Fish and seafood | Flaked fish with sauce, fish pie, fish mousse, dressed crab or prawns in mayonnaise | Bony fish, battered fish, mussels, squid, shellfish such as oysters |
| Eggs | Soft scrambled, poached, or lightly cooked omelette; mashed hard-boiled egg with mayonnaise | Fried or dry hard-boiled eggs |
| Cheese and dairy | Cheese sauce, cream cheese, cheese spread, soft cheese, smooth yoghurt, fromage frais | Hard cheese chunks, cheese rind, cheese on toast |
| Bread and baked products | Bread dipped in soup or sauce, well-buttered toast if tolerated (no crusts), soft cakes, muffins | Fresh or crusty bread, pastry, crackers, flapjacks, bagels |
| Cereals | Weetabix or Oatibix softened with milk, porridge, Ready Brek | Coarse cereals, muesli, cereals with nuts and dried fruit |
| Potatoes, rice, pasta | Mashed potato, the inside of a jacket potato, well-cooked pasta or rice with sauce | Crispy chips, roast potatoes, potato skins |
| Vegetables | Well-cooked or mashed vegetables, creamed spinach, soft pulses | Raw, lightly steamed / boiled / microwaved or stringy vegetables such as celery or green beans |
| Fruit | Stewed or tinned fruit, mashed banana, fruit smoothies | Raw apple, pineapple, citrus fruit, dried fruit |
| Puddings and desserts | Custard, mousse, yoghurt, ice cream, sponge with custard, milk pudding | Pastries, puddings with dried fruit or nuts, hard crusts |
| Snacks | Soft biscuits dipped in tea or coffee, cheese puffs, mousse, soft cake with cream | Crisps, nuts, chewy or sticky sweets |
| Drinks | Water, milk, milkshakes, squash, smoothies, nourishing soups | Fizzy drinks / alcohol / citric juice - if they make reflux worse |
Example menus
Breakfast
Weetabix softened with milk
Scrambled or poached eggs
Stewed fruit with yoghurt
Light meals
Soup with grated cheese / double cream
Tinned spaghetti or baked beans
Jacket potato (flesh only) with soft filling
Main meals
Shepherd’s pie or cottage pie
Chicken or fish in sauce with mashed potato
Pasta with cheese or creamy sauce
Puddings
Custard, mousse, yoghurt, or ice cream
Stewed fruit with cream or custard
Snacks
Soft cake, biscuits soaked in tea or coffee
Milkshakes, hot chocolate, or milky coffee
What should I do if my stent blocks and I cannot swallow?
Stop eating immediately.
Try not to panic. Take some slow, deep breaths.
Stand up and take small sips of water.
Walk around to see if this clears the blockage.
If you are unable to swallow liquids, are vomiting, or regurgitating food:
Contact your GP immediately during opening hours.
If out of hours, call 111.
You may also be able to get advice from one of the Endoscopy Units below. The Units are open Monday to Sunday, 8am to 6pm.
Endoscopy Unit, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury
Telephone: 01227 783058Endoscopy Unit, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital, Margate
Telephone: 01843 234370Endoscopy Unit, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford
Telephone: 01233 616274
If you cannot swallow saliva or water, go to your nearest Emergency Department. Please ask a family member or friend for support.
How do I prevent weight loss with a stent?
To prevent weight loss, where possible follow the advice below.
Eat small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day.
Choose high-calorie, high-protein foods. Add milk, butter, cheese, cream, honey, milk powder to your meals and puddings.
Have nourishing drinks, such as hot milky drinks, full fat milk, milkshakes, fruit juice, and soups in between food.
Check your weight once a week. If you are losing weight, please contact your dietitian or GP for nutritional supplement drinks.
Contact details
If you have any concerns or need further advice, please contact your hospital dietitian or one of the Dietetic Departments below.
Dietetic Department, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford
Telephone: 01233 616624Dietetic Department, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury
Telephone: 01227 864236Dietetic Department, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, Margate
Telephone: 01843 234310
For more information, please read the You and your oesophageal stent leaflet.
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