Eating after surgery

Lee28 20 hours ago

3 replies
120 subscribers
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Hi ,

I had surgery last Monday which although went on a lot longer was told hopefully a success.

ive had to have a temporary stoma fitted and this I’m fine with but Tuesday evening I had some toast and Wednesday was eating fine but couldn’t hold down solid food since then .
cuppa soup I’m fine with and a little bit of toast but anything else I just don’t want to eat as not hungry but unable to keep it down anyway

Im drinking fine but is the food after surgery normal as it’s now been a week

also I’m still very delicate all across my tummy and wasn’t sure when that might ease

thanks

Kareno62 18 hours ago

Hi Lee28 It’s quite usual to have food issues after surgery - the bowel does not like being manhandled and goes on strike - it’s called ileus and is not very pleasant! Stick to fluids and simple foods for a few days then try and introduce some low residue ones (I’ve attached a link below with a few ideas) If you’re really struggling then ring the ward that you were on for guidance

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/general/258088/low-residue-diet

Your tummy will be sore for a few weeks as the wounds start to heal and the nerve endings settle down. Keep taking paracetamol when you need them and don’t do any heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks. There’s also an Ask a Nurse board if you need a bit of reassurance or have a question

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ask_the_expert-forum/ask_a_nurse

Hope you start to improve soon

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

Lee28 17 hours ago in reply to Kareno62

Thank you

Jake1642 5 hours ago

I have always eaten too much, both before bowel cancer and now I am living on palliative care after the operation to try (unsuccessfully) to remove my cancer and living with a permanent stoma, but for the first few weeks after surgery I really struggled to eat, and my bowel movements were virtually non-existent. I had complications, and I worried a lot, but when food arrived it was the odd mouthful here and there and I lost 20kg. It gradually got better and now I eat virtually anything.

Be patient. Think about recovery as a gradual process. I have written a blog since my diagnosis two and a half years ago. It includes that horrible period (drnigelhunt.com) and is honest and open. Take a look if you are interested. Good luck!