Eating in early days after operation

Hi, my husband had the operation on 26th April. When he first came home, after 8 days,  he was on a liquid diet and found it hard to drink enough as he felt full after small amounts of food. I think that it's a learning curve and he had to get use to eating little and often. He would have Arla Protein Yogurt or porridge for breakfast. Half a can of Heinz Big Soup (pureed with cream) for lunch and the other half for dinner. In between he would have, ice cream, jelly, Ufit High Protein Milkshake Drink. His bowel movements where all over the place from constipation when he first came home, to diarrhea after a while. On moving onto soft foods he carried on with the same snacks but put in scrambled eggs, cottage pie, pasta dishes, cream cheese and biscuits etc. He learnt quickly to be careful about the portion sizes as he would enjoy the food so much he would eat too much and then get bloated and uncomfortable afterwards as he didn't feel full at the time. Now he only puts about 3/4 of a potion of food on the plate and sits for about 30 mins after eating. He doesn't have drinks with his meals. Now, 7 weeks on from the operation he can eat nearly everything he could before, but hasn't tried burgers yet. He's in a routine of eating every couple of hours. Everyone is different, so listen to your body. At first it's difficult to know if you are doing the right thing, but you soon get into a routine and know what works for you. 

Do you still have the feeding tube? If so my husband was advised to not to worry so much about drinking as the feeding tube provided fluid, instead he concentrated on eating and then as he reduced the feeds he increased his fluid intake. Also when you flush the feeding tube you get water that way and can add water whenever you like. Because it doesn't go straight in to your stomach it doesn't making you feel bloated. He was also told to concentrate on proteins and not worry as much about fruit and veg. He added cheese to lots of dishes. 

I know it's hard, but my husband had to be patient and it sorted it's self out over time. He also chatted to his dietician who provided lots of advise. 

All the best with your recovery, Di

Hi Goldie, thank you for the insight into your husband’s experience. I haven’t got the feeding tube and was also discharged after 8 days but on day 6 in hospital I was switched to a soft food diet which i was surprised about. I only had a couple of mouthfuls of the inside of a jacket potato with lots of butter and grated cheese. I was saying to my husband earlier that perhaps I should stick to soups, ice cream etc (more liquid foods).  I’m also allowed crustless toast which is ok to eat as I chew for ages!

I’m only having the portion size for a 9 month old baby and don’t want anymore anyway as after the evening food I feel it on my chest for a couple of hours. 

like you said it’s trial and error and learning what foods you can tolerate but I know it’s early days.   I’ve spoken to dietitian and macmillan nurse before discharge and have lots of dietary sheets on what to eat.

Good luck to you both moving forward and thank you 

It's amazing how the treatments can be so different as my husband was told he needed to be on pureed food for two weeks before moving on to soft foods, but avoid bread for several weeks. 

I know this sounds weird but I think it was actually a bit of an anti-climax for him when he got home, as he seemed a bit low the first few days. He had spent all the days in hospital focusing on doing well so he could come home, but then when he got here it was a bit of a case of "now what?". Don't get me wrong he was really happy to be home, but also a bit scared as the safety net of the doctors and nurses was no longer there and it was just us. That feeling went quickly as we got into a routine and our confidence grew. 

Take care, Di

Thank you Di, I think I’m going to stick to a liquid diet for a week as the acid reflux at night is frightening me, (not sure if it’s got anything to do with the fact I’m eating soft foods or not). I’ve possibly got sleep apnea also which I will now have investigated and now since op I’m waking up with taste of vomit in my mouth and am worried I’m going to choke one night! All fun and games! I am sleeping at an angle too.

I know what you mean about feeling a bit down once you get home but I’m hoping once I can move a bit more following the op itself then I’ll feel a lot brighter as I’m used to lots of exercise.  Bet your husband’s back was aching also from sitting down all the time the first few days? I have been walking a little bit more each day.

I am glad things are on the up for your husband as I know it is just going to take time to adjust.  At least I’m not hungry! 
 
Thank you so much for your supportive words, they mean a lot.  Take care 

Yes, Colin's back ached and for the first few nights he slept on the sofa. Being a recliner he could position the seat so that he was more upright and comfortable than in the bed (even with a wedge). At first he also felt like the muscles around the scar were cramping/bruised or were numb. That has improved slowly.

I can imagine waking like that is very scary. I'm glad that you are going to have it checked out. 

Like you Colin did a lot of exercise before and it wasn't too long before he was walking two to three miles a day. We live at the top of the hill so the end of the walk is always a good workout

Have a great day

Thank you, you too