Hello wfc:
I have had my esophagus stretched probably every 6 months since my treatments ended in 2/2008. It does help you swallow better; I just wish it would last longer than 4 to 6 months. In fact, I am having mine done Monday by a gastro doctor who is also looking for some acid reflux and other gastro problems I have. It's an upper endoscopy and you're asleep while they do it, but not into a deep sleep - just enough for you not to feel anything. One time when I had it, I could actually "hear" what was being said, but that was an oddity. Luckily they didn't see anything or comment on anything negative or I would have probably tried to get out of there. I'm just telling you this to be funny but it only happened to me once and for just a few seconds.
julieann