28 year old male just diagnosed with stomach cancer

Hi so Ive just come back home from my surgery. Ive been told that Ive had 65%-70% of the stomach removed.

What Im about to say sounds silly, but I quite upset about my portion sizes. Ive heard conflicting things. Some say, how I am eating now is it will be forever, whilst others say it will get better over time (vague).

Anyone here had a partial gastrectomy and can shed some light here please?

Hi Jacquiw, I hope all is well! 

I have a question if you dont mind. How have your portion sizes been over time? If you dont mind giving a timeline e.g. Post op, 1 week post op, 1 year etc 

Thanks! 

Hi

So good to hear you are through the operation. I started in the first days with a few teaspoons of yoghurt and the next day about six teaspoons of soup.  I built it up each day that week and when I got home on day 5 or 6 I ate about a cupful at each meal.  I just gradually increased the amount over six weeks.  I did get a pain in my side for the first week or so as my new baby tummy expanded! 

I ate soft foods for the first six weeks. I didn’t eat and drink at the same time and ate small quantities four times a day.  I ate high protein foods.. like porridge with coconut milk or half a baked potato with cheese, cottage pie or fish pie, pasta etc.

After six weeks I moved to normal food!  Quantity increased over time and I now eat normally! I wasn’t a big eater but I can eat a burger and chips for example!

I wrote a Blog so click on my name to read it, Hope that helps but do post again or message me if you have any other.

Hi thanks for your response. Sounds like things have improved for you. Funny you said that because one of my goals post surgery is to eat a burger again. I used to love to eat, and I'd love a burger right now aha.

I had a look at the blog post, thank you! I see it was made in 2019 (4 weeks post surgery). Thanks for documenting the journey. 

You know when you say you eat normally, do you mean you can eat similar portion sizes to before? or the normal foods as before. or Both. Sorry if you've already answered this. 

Hi

Both !  I eat all foods.including spicy dishes!  I wasn’t a big eater so it hasn’t made any difference to me!  If I go out for a meal I usually have two courses!  We eat out regularly and I remember thinking that I wouldn’t be able to do that again!  I went out for coffee about two weeks after the operation to prove I could! 
It does take time to adjust especially in the first six weeks and there’s a bit of trial and error!  The biggest issue for me was that I was losing weight!  Having spent years trying!  So I used my Fitbit to measure calories and my weight stabilised after six weeks!

Good luck!

Oh wow, Im happy to hear this. My dietician said this wouldnt be possible but my surgeons said it would be possible. Its nice to hear from someone who has actually been through this themselves. 
Glad to hear that things are going well. I hope I also improve with my diet. 

Thank you so much! Ill start using that app too to measure my calories. Thanks again! 

I didn’t find the dietician helpful!  My surgeon said .. you will lead a normal life! I couldn’t imagine how that would be possible but it is!  We are going to Italy next week and I am looking forward to eating and drinking!

I was back at work six weeks after the operation albeit a phased return and I didn’t have chemo after surgery.  Just take things slowly and you will get there! 

Thanks for letting me know. I guess Ill be patient then! 

Sounds like you had a good experience. Glad that you are in a great place. Enjoy your trip to Italy! 

Hi, my husband had all his stomach out in Jan and he’s eating most food although smaller portions. I’m sure you’ll do fine xx

Thanks Sue, this is very reassuring. Im just eating my dinner now (small portion) and I cant even finish it. I guess I'm only a week and 2 days post my surgery. So Im trying to cut myself some slack. 
Glad your husband is able to eat now