For those wondering about lifetime dietary restrictions following Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

BMGky
BMGky Member Posts: 621
in Esophageal Cancer #1
I changed Bill's picture [hope it appears] to show him enjoying an Italian sausage at our recent state fair. (The sausage was loaded with onions, green peppers and assorted melted cholesterol laden additives. Fat content was probably 90%)

Now, he didn't eat the bun except maybe a bite or two. He enjoyed corn dogs, pork sandwiches and ice cream, but only eating part of them--sharing them with me. (We did view the fair exhibits as well besides eating.) He didn't get sick or have stomach discomfort. I had more digestive issues than he.

This didn't come easy. It's been some 16 months since his surgery, and the first 7 to 8 months post-op were very challenging. Even now, if he eats soft, heavy foods such as mashed potatoes or soft breads or very spicy foods, he has a painful stomach episode for about 30 to 45 minutes. Resting eases the discomfort. Eating too much at one time, eating very sugary items, big bites can lead to a problem. However, the slowed paced, well masticated food, multiple small meals are the way one should be eating anyway. It's just that now, he "pays" for it when he breaks these rules. Every time he does forget, he swears off eating.....

I'm not recommending his state fair fare as a diet option or remotely suggesting that it is in the least bit healthy. Just letting you know that food can be fun again following an esophagectomy if you are careful.

Comments

  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #2
    I agree with Bill. Food is
    I agree with Bill. Food is so enjoyable now. Perhaps it's because we went so long when it wasn't. I, like Bill don't always use my best judgement and I have to pay the concequences. I know better, but the temptation is to great.
    Happy Eating, Sandra
  • Joel C
    Joel C Member Posts: 174
    #3
    sandy1943 said:

    I agree with Bill. Food is
    I agree with Bill. Food is so enjoyable now. Perhaps it's because we went so long when it wasn't. I, like Bill don't always use my best judgement and I have to pay the concequences. I know better, but the temptation is to great.
    Happy Eating, Sandra

    It's true
    Sometimes you forget and overdo it. Tammy and I were out for supper the other night and I ordered a lobster roll with onion rings. I expected a hotdog roll with hardly any lobster, boy was I wrong the thing was packed with lobster. At that point I should have cut the sandwich in half and brought half home. But nooo I had to eat the whole thing plus the rings. As you can well imagine I paid for it within the hour.
    Still learning,
    Joel
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    Joel C said:

    It's true
    Sometimes you forget and overdo it. Tammy and I were out for supper the other night and I ordered a lobster roll with onion rings. I expected a hotdog roll with hardly any lobster, boy was I wrong the thing was packed with lobster. At that point I should have cut the sandwich in half and brought half home. But nooo I had to eat the whole thing plus the rings. As you can well imagine I paid for it within the hour.
    Still learning,
    Joel

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