Post surgery nausea

Hi

So pleased he is recovering well. Did they not install a J-tube/feeding tube while he had his surgery? The overnight feed has kept my weight stable. Its tricky being able to get enough nutrients and hydration in while our bodies are healing. Might be worth talking to the dieticians at the hospital to see what advice/support they can offer. There are those meal replacement shakes but I've been advised to go easy on them as too much can also upset the digestive system. 

The cough - I've had one too. I still do but not as bad. My lungs had liquid when I first came out of surgery so the cough was about clearing them. I've heard that we can't throw up anymore because our stomachs are now above the diaphragm...hence the dry retching. I have thrown up but that was because I was coughing so much. This has happened when I've eaten something that has not agreed with me or I've eaten a little too much or too late in the evening.  When I was 2 weeks post op some of the pureed food got caught in the join between stomach and oesophagus- it was a horrible burning pain. If this happens definitely talk to the surgeon. 

I very much hope there's a supportive medical team around your husband. Chemo has reduced my appetite and dulled the hunger signals so very much want to get the weight thing under control before chemo starts again. 

Wishing you both all the best.

Hi Jane, I'm not in that position yet so can't help in afraid. I would have thought that weight loss is inevitable with the trauma that your throat and stomach go through. 

I could do with losing a few stone...lol 

Seriously though, if you're that concerned you should be talking with the specialist nurses at the hospital. They will be in the best position to advise you properly and to put your mind at rest.

If you don't mind me asking, how long was your hubby in hospital for after his op?

Give him my best wishes. It sounds as if he's doing really well under the circumstances. Don't forget to look after yourself too 

Hi I had same opp October last year ,they put a feeding tube in at the time of opp and it’s been a life saver really as there’s been many days I just didn’t want to eat anything I had zero appetite and lost my taste so everything tasted rubbish but gradually my appetite has returned ,I lost a few pounds but nothing much , I also think the first few months it tends to be one step forward two steps back but it does all improve slowly with me I try and walk every day but get very out of breath but I’m sure in time it will improve  x

Hi 

Its good to hear your husband is recovering well.

I lost 3 stone in the first 3 months which the nutritionist tried to help me slow down but they weren’t overly concerned.  I have lost about another half a stone since but much slower and my weight has now stabilised.  I was over weight so I am pleased to have lost this weight.  I was told nothing is off limits now so try to eat food you really enjoy including food you may have felt guilty eating before!  As others have said definitely worth a chat with the nutritionists in the GI team as they will be able to advise on boosting calories and if they are concerned enough to consider a feeding tube.  

I also had a cough and my GP felt it may be linked to acid from the stomach as it was dragging on so he prescribed acid reflux capsules and a mouthwash and they really helped me.  

Thanks Suzie (and other lovely people for your replies) - no feeding tube as they don’t seem to do that here as standard procedure. My husband had one conversation with a dietitian in hospital but we’ve had nothing since then. We saw the surgeon and specialist nurse on Monday this week and found them both pretty downbeat even though Paul went in as a trial dissection as they weren’t sure they could remove the tumour as it was so large.

He had 7 days in hospital and only 24 hours in ICU so we were relieved and so pleased they were able to remove the tumour. They acknowledged weight loss was a lot (and Paul was slim anyway) and we’re supposed to be getting a call from a dietitian but nothing yet. The advice given to us was just eat little and often and it’ll take months to see any improvement. We found their manner quite depressing. We were also told that 50% of people don’t go ahead with post chemotherapy and they can’t say whether it will help but do recommend it. 
I’m looking at finding a private nutritionist and also feel we need someone on our team who’s a bit more upbeat and positive 

Jane x

Hi Jane

im sorry to hear your experience with has not been a positive one, the team I had were quite different. 

little and often is the advice I had but eat foods you enjoy when you are post op it is more important to eat than what you eat.  Mints and ginger biscuits help me with nausea.  I understand it is normal to lose weight 2-3 months after but it does settle down and a lot of people will then put some weight back on.  If that doesn’t happen there are things they can do to support you as you may not be digesting properly and need an enzyme to help.  

if you have a good GP it is worth reaching out to them, I have found mine very helpful. 

with regard post chemo I was told that as long as you are in relatively good health and coped with the pre op chemo the long term outcome tends to be better if you have it providing you can cope with it.  I think it’s right it is our choice after everything we have been through.  For me as a 50 year old previously in good health not having it was not really discussed, the potential benefit outweighed the negatives.  I found it harder than the pre op chemo but now it’s over I am very pleased I had it.  

I think it’s great how little time your husband was in hospital that suggests he coped very well.  I don’t think anything prepares you for post op and the challenges it brings but it does settle down and your husband is doing really well even if it doesn’t feel like it.

I hope your husband keeps improving. We are all here for you and others that are going through this. Big hugs. 

Thanks everyone, just in case it helps anyone else, we did have a session with a nutritionist and she recommended sillicolgel and also gripe water! The sillicolgel does seem to have lessened the nausea very slightly, not yet tried the gripe water.