Gastrectomy this month

I had a partial gastrectomy five years ago this month and wrote a Blog about my treatment and recovery.  You can read it if you click on my name.

I did a lot of research on what to eat after surgery.  For six weeks it’s a soft diet so I ate foods which had high calories and high protein.  There’s a lot of trial and error at first as your new plumbing adjusts! Everyone is different but being aware of things like dumping syndrome, not over eating at first is helpful.  You don’t know when you are full and eating too much is uncomfortable.  Not eating and drinking at the same time helps but it does mean you are constantly eating or drinking at first!

Thank you for sharing this, I am waiting for chemo and then the plan is for a partial gastrectomy and more chemo, you have lifted my spirits this morning x

Hi, I had a total gastrectomy April 22 aged 54 years old… I had stage 4 signet ring… I was told that my spleen might get removed as it was enlarged but they didn’t in the end as it was ok when they opened me up… I had 30 lymph node’s removed and all came back negative… Recovery was slow but steady… your husband needs to listen to his body with walking and climbing stairs etc as it takes time as he will be very sore… Eating will be very soft foods for a couple of months (this is when he’ll loose weight) small meals but frequent amounts. He needs to be reminded to eat so set an alarm as you don’t get the feeling of being hungry… The dietician should give you advice (mine was useless) if not there’s loads of menus to follow online that are high protein, fat and carbs to help maintain weight… fizzy drinks will be a no no for a good few months as it’s uncomfortable… high sugar foods can also cause problems too, with dumping syndrome (google that)… he will have to chew every single thing as he has to do what the stomach would have done… I lost 3 stone in total, but I have put back on a stone… I can eat most things now as normal… some meats I avoid as it takes forever to chew so I stick with mince… Life is perfectly fine without stomach… I go out to cafes or restaurants and I either have a small plate or just a starter or 2… hope this helps… Ask any questions I don’t mind…. Also, eating and drinking at the same is a no no too… eat then wait 30 minutes before having a drink as it flushes what you’ve eaten through quickly… if you drink before you eat you’ll be full so you won’t want to eat… everything is trial and error, even now with me still… 

Take care 

Michele 

Hi Michele

I had a total gastrectomy just 11 days ago. I'm finding eating and drinking difficult. I don't eat and drink at the same time which helps a bit. I can only manage ready brek yogurts and angel delight without discomfort. I know it's really early days so will persevere as I'm sure it will improve

I am losing weight which worries my wife but they said that would happen

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated

Best wishes

Dean

Hi, it’s early days at the moment for you… drinking and eating at the same will be always difficult as you get full… loosing weight will be a big thing that happens unfortunately because you can’t eat or drink much to begin with… I only managed sips of drink for the first month… I bought myself a small cup like an espresso size and would have a cup of tea/coffee or water/milk in that as it was the right size for me, to feel I’m drinking and didn’t put pressure on myself to get fluid down… and had it topped up through out the day… food I started off with the same as you… I also had soup the ones like big soup with bits in… I could only manage half one day and then the other half the following day… I would put cheese on top for extra calories… scrambled eggs with cheese on too… all nice and soft… just try anything soft, wet with sauce for at least a month… add anything that has high calories to your food… loosing weight isn’t very nice but it will stabilise a few months… when you’ll be able start to eat a bit more lumpy foods… I also sucked on crisps like quavers or skips… that was nice… BUT don’t rush with going from soft foods as it will be uncomfortable for you… as you’re still healing inside… it takes time and what didn’t work the first time might work the second time… patience unfortunately is the main thing… in six months time you’ll be out eating in a cafe with a piece of cake, maybe just half and half to take home… but you’ll get there… 

I’m here if you need any support…

Take care… you’ve got this!! 
Michele 

Hi Grandad, my 80 year old husband had a TG a year ago this week, he still struggles to put weight on, we went on a 2 week holiday and he lost weight!! so now having to put it back on again. He can more or less eat anything, not to struck on rice and bread though, his meals are gradually getting bigger, he likes the ready meals and about the right size for him.  I make him jelly’s with added milk plus powdered milk and protein powder, you may like that at the moment with added custard easy to get down in the early days. Hope things soon improve for you xx

Hi Michele

Thank you for all that excellent information that all makes so much sense. Like I said it's very early days for me but your food suggestions are really good and it is literally day by day of what works and what doesn't.

It's all a bit scary at first and the rapid weight loss is something I must keep an eye on but as it's expected I'm not too concerned.

Thank you so much for your help it is very much appreciated

Best wishes

Dean

Hi, you are very welcome… if your weight drops too much for you and  if you have any concerns contact your specialist nurse or dietitian and they will give you some advice… the dietitian contacted me after 3 months and asked how much weight I had lost … I told her how much I had lost, which was 3 stones… she said she would get back to me in a month… but if I had any concerns to contact her… she got back to me a month later and I told her my weight had stabilised… that was the last time I spoke to her… I have heard that some lose some weight and some quite a lot… but keep an eye on it…                                                           I also found lactose free milk was easier to drink for the first few months too… bread will a no no for quite a while, but when you do try it in a few months have it toasted as being toasted takes all the moisture out so it easier to chew and swallow, and have it with butter… 

Take care 

Michele 

• Try and google and ‘what to eat after a total gastrectomy uk’ there are few guidelines on there… especially the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire. 

Hi Sue

Thank you for your advice that is really helpful. I'm trying all different food to see what works best. I know it's going to be a long road and taking it day by day.

Glad to hear your husband is eating most foods. I guess everyone is different and I will have to be patient. My op was less than 2 weeks ago so it's very early days for me.

Best wishes

Dean

I had total gastrectomy five weeks ago and am recovery so well. Am  a fit 86 year old and am now walking 1 1/2 miles a day.  I log every meal on a daily basis and my weight is steady.  The surgeon fitted a small pouch which has stopped any dumping syndrome so far.  Original staging was 2 but pathology on stomach and 29 lymph nodes showed stage 1 and cancer contained so no need for any further treatment  you have to follow the rules and eat protein on a regular basis   Fish, chicken, sweet potato, fortified milk eggs, mince etc in cottage pie and eat slowly   In the early weeks had to sleep on my back with head raised because of wounds but this has improved now with healing  yes my life has changed but now expect to see my 90th birthday thanks to a great hospital team and family support   You have to be patient every week it does get better    Next week I will be driving which will be a huge help  good luck stay positive