Stricture of esophagus

To GI Dr:

First of all, I am 23 yrld., female, born as premature baby. Since birth, I have been having problems swallowing food. Growing up, I have learned many things about what actually happened when I was, just, days old. Doctors preformed a surgery on my esophagus because of "Esophageal stenosis." Everything was well done, and growing up as teenager, I had to learn to eat slowly, take sips of drink with the food. As years passed by, I didn't even remember of my problem with swallowing. Many times, I had problems with nausea and vomitting, but after all the tests came out-they realized , I had gallstones (as 17yr old). Then, I had gallblader (gallbladder) removed. Three years passed by, I didn't have symptoms of nausea and vomitting as back then. Until now.
   Lately, I have been having those symtoms (symptoms), and few months ago, I ended up in ER because of it. After, I saw GI specialist, and after upper GI/swollowing barium X=ray test...my results shows:
    "Focal moderate to severe stricture (benign) involving the proximal esophagus as described. This could be at site of previous surgery. Endoscopy recommended. "
   My question to you is:

Is it possible that I have been dealing with this since I was born, and that this stricture is since then? Or is it something new? One Dr said, it might be from scar tissues around site of previous surgery?? What can they do? Dilate it? I am nevous and scared of getting worse. I have noticed problems swallowing, though. What exactly is this stricture and how is formed?

I would appreciate your responses!
***@****

Thank you!
Melisa

[Dr. Erik]

It is possibly from scar tissue in the esophagus at the site of the previous surgery. There may be a renarrowing of the old stricture. Dilitation could possibly open it again.