Loss of appetite following total nephrectomy

I had no experience of this although I had the same procedure. I have not heard of such an after effect in others.  I think I would insist on yet again seeing the consultant or someone in the urology team. I found that I had to advocate for myself quite forcefully at various times. Very best of luck.

Good morning, Chalmers72. 

Firstly like to say welcome to the group. I am pleased the operation went well and your husband is home recovering. I had the same operation back in December. My information is in my profile if you wish to have read. I am a online champion and here to offer you both supoort and advice. 

I loss my appetite for about 8 weeks post operation and had no interest in food at all. Lucky for me I have a friend who is a qualified dietician gave me some advice and support.

Firstly, I found having microwave meal size portions was better for me. This size of meal didn't over flow the plate and made it visually manageable. I ate from a bowl or side plate, this helped to portion what I was able to manage and kept it simple. I ate what I fancy and just brought shop made curry, lasagne, mac and cheese (for example) has these are easy and portions were just right for me. I was having one small meal a day at this time. 

I made sure I was drinking sips of water, juice, tea every half hour. Even set a reminder on alexa to tell me to drink. I also made sure I kept up with the laxative prescribed as well to ensure my bowels started to work and kept taking them. 

For the days I didn't eat my friend advised me to have some Hule drinks in the fridge. These are like a meal in one and said I can have 2 a day, they also include all the vitamins and minerals required for energy and recovery. They tastes okay and dont have to drink them all in one go either, so I drank mine over the day. 

I see your husband is only day 12, so still very early in the recovery stage. His whole body is gone through a very traumatic time and takes a long time to settle and heal. I personally took 2 months to start moving better and doing more.

I had to have help to shower and dress for 4 weeks. So what I am saying is everyone is different and recover at different stages. Dont rush to lift or bend, but do get up and about for short walks around the house. The little movements does help with recovery and prevents other complications too. Again I made sure I was standing or moving every hour and did a slow walk for couple of mins then built it up over the weeks. 

I am more than happy to support you both along the way as will so many others in this forum. If there is anything else you would like to know or more information let me know. We are here all here for you both. 

All the best, 

Jamie 

Thank you so much Jamie, great advice! And sorry to hear you went through a tough time too.

Gary has just been re admitted to hospital and is on a drip to re hydrate, as they weren’t happy with his blood. Hopefully it will only be for a couple of days at the most. 

We have a fridge full of Huel and other protein drinks, but will certainly follow your tips about smaller plates and not worry too much about if he lives on microwave meals. Thanks again.

Sounds like he is in the right place. I hope a couple days, and some IV fluids will do him good. He does need to try and drink more though even if not hungry....fluids are good and his appetite will come back. Microwave meals are good for now and you already have your hule ready. 

If you need anything at all. I am only a message away. You are doing brilliant at  looking after him too. Its all very stressful and a worrying time for you both. It will get better, its just takes time. I am still off work even now, with hope to return mid April. 

Another thought as well, whilst I was recovering. I did rest better in a reclining chair. This helped by preventing me keep having to strain my abdomen getting up out of bed all the time. It stop me pulling the area to much and causing me more pain and discomfort.

I did this for about 2 weeks before getting back to bed. It made it easier to stand up to and get about much easier. Just an idea and to offer another option to help support his recovery. It also made it more comfortable as sitting up right or laying flat was painful. I also invested in a pillow riser to help sit up when I was ready to start getting in to bed. 

Send him my thoughts and well wishes. Take care, and do use this time if you can to rest too. He is in the right place and being monitored and cared for. 

Best wishes, 

Jamie 

I am sure he is in the right place for now.. rotten luck though it is. I was concerned as it didn't sound right as you described things deteriorating. I wish him all the best for his speedy recovery now they have checked him and once they have sorted him out. It seems we all experience occasional setbacks on the generally upward path. X

Good morning, Chalmers72. 

I woke early and thought I would check in to see how things are. I hope you and your OH are doing okay.

All the best, 

Jamie 

Hi Jamie

Thanks for your concern. Definitely some progress yesterday when I visited. Gary was a lot brighter and had been taken off the drip, and had been out of bed a bit and eating, albeit small amounts. There’s still some imbalance in his bloods, and he’s now been told not to drink more than a litre in 24 hours, I don’t understand the science for this. But things are definitely looking up.

best wishes

Chris

I am here to support and listen the best I can. I am happy to hear there is some improvement and he is off the drip now. 

Sounds like things are getting better and slowly is sometimes better, even though it might not feeling like it at times. 

There is science behind why a restrictive fluid intake is put in in place and with him starting to eat a little should help balance things a bit more too. 

I hope you are taking some time to rest too. And send our thoughts from Macmillan to him too.  

All the best, 

Jamie

Hi, just to let you know I had exactly the same, loss of appetite & nausea, I didn’t really want to drink anything either. I had a long operation for open radical left nephrectomy, lymph node removal & also epigastric repair. As Jamie has said this lasted for me about 8 weeks I had the operation last September & only really got my appetite back just before Christmas ( which was convenient).

I hope your husband improves soon & also as Jamie has said it is still very early days. 

Sorry I was diagnosed is September &  had the operation in November & it should say epigastric hernia repair