Total gastrectomy

Welcome to this group! There are lots of people on the group who have had a total gastrectomy and after a period of recovery, go on to lead a normal life! Albeit without a stomach!

You haven’t much time to prepare but the main thing is to eat very small quantities of soft foods. You gradually build it up.  There will be a clear pathway for your recovery so you should get lots of help and advice from the medical team.

Do post any questions here? Good luck and hope all goes smoothly on Tuesday! 

Thanks Jac for your lovely comment. I am trying to be positive and have only has 1 bad day so far. The waiting for the op day is hard, even though I am apprehensive it can't come soon enough, if that makes sense.

Sorry you find your self here but I think with not having a long time to dwell on the operation is for the better. My husband had his stomach removed 2 1/2 years ago, the first few months was hard going but today he’s fine and eats most things but a bit smaller portions and more snacks, he was 79 at  the time of the op. He didn’t have chemo so didn’t have to contend with that. 
Good luck for Tuesday xx

Hi, so sorry to hear what you are going through… I had a total gastrectomy 3 years ago… I would say.. let your body heal afterwards at your pace… it will be sore after for a few weeks… you’ll eat very small portions of food and quite soft to begin with when you are home… and little and often… food texture will change a good few months down… you’ll have to chew lots so doing the stomachs work before you swallow… it will be all trial and error with all types of food for you… I ate mince meat a lot for a nearly 2 years as I couldn’t cope with solid meat like chicken etc. I eat anything and everything nowadays, in small portions… I don’t snack as much now…  you will get used to the change of eating/diet… 

Your medical team will give you guidance throughout… 

Ask away on hear for any advice…

All the best for Tuesday… 

Take care 

Michele 

Hi Michele

Thanks for your comments.

I hope I have as good an outcome that you have experienced, however long it takes.

I will definitely be asking for advice as I try to steer myself through the next few months.

Fiona

Hi Sue

Great to hear that your husband is doing so well. You're right about no having too much time to dwell on the operation.

Thanks for your good wishes.

Fiona xx