Total Gastrectomy - Need to chat

Total Gastrectomy 3 year survivor

Hi,

I had a complete gasterectomy in April 2011. I had gastric cancer stage 1b, after chemo, surgery and radiation I am now cancer free. After my gasterectomy I had a lot of difficulty learning to eat again. Today I have learned what works for my body and rarely experince any side effects. Many people on forums describe life after a gasterectomy to be unmanageable, I think it all depends, I am fortunate to say that I am ok . Since my surgery I did have 1 complication, a bowel obstuction that landed me in to hospital (obstructions are usually rare side effects). This obstruction later cause an internal hernia which I may have to have surgery for. Overall I find life without a stomach to be managable. It is a learning experience, some foods will make you uncomfortable and it takes time for your body to heal and adjust. I have to take pancreatic enzyme with every meal to help me digest via my small intestine. I also need to take B12 shots every month to keep my energy up. Please feel free to ask me questions!!!

blondie_o0 said:

Total Gastrectomy 3 year survivor

Hi,

I had a complete gasterectomy in April 2011. I had gastric cancer stage 1b, after chemo, surgery and radiation I am now cancer free. After my gasterectomy I had a lot of difficulty learning to eat again. Today I have learned what works for my body and rarely experince any side effects. Many people on forums describe life after a gasterectomy to be unmanageable, I think it all depends, I am fortunate to say that I am ok . Since my surgery I did have 1 complication, a bowel obstuction that landed me in to hospital (obstructions are usually rare side effects). This obstruction later cause an internal hernia which I may have to have surgery for. Overall I find life without a stomach to be managable. It is a learning experience, some foods will make you uncomfortable and it takes time for your body to heal and adjust. I have to take pancreatic enzyme with every meal to help me digest via my small intestine. I also need to take B12 shots every month to keep my energy up. Please feel free to ask me questions!!!

Hi
hi
It's been 2 weeks since the surgery
I'm having bad times
I would like to know how's life after the recovery
Do you have to eat every 2 hours?
Can you have beers?
You don't get hungry?
How do you know you have to eat or stop eating?
What is a normal menu for you?
Thanks a million

Ronnie C said:

My operation to take place in approx ten weeks

I'm just wondering can you still drink as normal or do you have to take small amount at regular intervals

Imtwnd to drink about 30

Imtwnd to drink about 30 minutes after I eat seems to work best as for the amount I don't have any problems drinking a cup at a time

evelone1224 said:

Just wondering what your meals consist of.

had tg in August  2015. I have lost 35 pounds and have a difficult time finding things to eat Because I also have a hiatal hernia that was not fixed.  Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Total Gastrectomy

I just joined the CSN support group, and I am hoping to meet some other people that have experienced a Total Gastrectomy which I had as of Jan. 19, 2016.  This is a new world for me trying to figure how to adjust to eating and living with the lack of a stomach and new plumbing.  My surgery was performed by a bariatric surgeon and they keep advising me like I am on some kind of weightloss journey.  I have lost more around 25 pounds since January.  I need to stop the weightloss!  It would be great to have someone to talk to and get to know who understands and maybe together we can figure out what to eat and how to cope with our new bodies.

new to this site

I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in Sept 2015 & underwent pre-op chemoradiation therapy.  My surgery was on January 12, 2016.  Originally, my surgeon thought he would be able to remove the lower part of the esophagus & upper stomach; however, he ended up doing a full gastrectomy.  I was on a feeding tube through the end of April.  I did have a scar-tissue stricture that was dilated & relieved by a stent; the stent came out just a few weeks ago.  I'm able to eat small, moist meals, but I have no energy.  I also suffer from extreme rib pain where my ribs were spread during the surgery.  I have just started B12 injections and am working with a nutritionist to develop a diet of calorie/nutrient dense foods.  I drink Ensure, but it makes my pulse race and saps my energy.  Has anyone else experienced a similar reaction to Ensure?  I've lost 24 pounds and don't want to lose anymore.  Any comments about your experiences would be most appreciated.

CorgiMom said:

new to this site

I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in Sept 2015 & underwent pre-op chemoradiation therapy.  My surgery was on January 12, 2016.  Originally, my surgeon thought he would be able to remove the lower part of the esophagus & upper stomach; however, he ended up doing a full gastrectomy.  I was on a feeding tube through the end of April.  I did have a scar-tissue stricture that was dilated & relieved by a stent; the stent came out just a few weeks ago.  I'm able to eat small, moist meals, but I have no energy.  I also suffer from extreme rib pain where my ribs were spread during the surgery.  I have just started B12 injections and am working with a nutritionist to develop a diet of calorie/nutrient dense foods.  I drink Ensure, but it makes my pulse race and saps my energy.  Has anyone else experienced a similar reaction to Ensure?  I've lost 24 pounds and don't want to lose anymore.  Any comments about your experiences would be most appreciated.

I have stage 3 stomach cancer

I have stage 3 stomach cancer, and had a full gastrectomy in mid April 2016.  I currently have a feeding tube to the small intestine, but I am able to eat pretty well with no big issues.  It has taken me a while (3 months) to start understanding and "reading" my body's signals on all apsects of eating.  I sometimes drink ensure type stuff, but stay away from it if I can as I have the same problem of feeling sort of dizzy and wierd.  I am told it is because your food hits your digestive tract right away, and you feel the effects of what you drink or eat almost immediately.  It even happens to me with no-sugar hot chocolate as well.   I have a book I found called "The Art Of Eating Without A Stomach: How To Thrive After Gastrectomy For Stomach Cancer", (by Dr. Peter Thatcher,a doctor from England) that has really helped me.  From what my surgeon has told me it is 6 months before a new sort of "normal" is achieved, with additional improvements by 1 year, and further improvements by 2 years.  All the best to you and your journey!   Scott

cancer2016 said:

hi. I am also stage 3. my

hi. I am also stage 3. my surgery was in March of this year. I had a jtube and removed it after 8 months. it gave me a lot of problem. my new stomach is cooperating now and I take digestive enzymes to help me absorb nutrients. good luck and I am thankful for finding this site. 

Hello

Hello. im due to get a tg soon. First of all how are you doing today? I need information about the TG. I am very scare and worried about the pain after the surgery. How long did it take for you to heal. How long was the pain?

Thank you

 

 

New to all of this...

Hello and thank you all for sharing so much of you, your experience and struggles and hope that I feel from reading all of your notes.  My dad just got diagnosed and I'm trying to do all my due diligence because I know that I will need to be strong and help him through the journey.  And will need to help my mom too.  I posted about needing to find good referrals to oncologists at Kaiser (that's what my dad's insurance) because I'm looking for a 2nd opinion so if any of you have thoughts/suggestions please let me know.  But above all, thank you...I'm glad I found this site! 

Total Gastrectomy

Hello,

My mother 69 has stage 4 gastric cancer, spread in the wall of the stomach, not spread to other areas, and the surgeon is not recommending total gastrectomy, just chemotherapy because they are afraid that the asophagous and instestine might not attach if cancer cells are present at the attachment point. Just wondering how spread was your cancer and if they were afraid of that as well.

 

Thank You for any help or suggestions.

I found carbonated beverages and milk and cream items not to my liking any more. I lost 80 lb as I was a big guy at 6'1 and 220. In 2 years I put 17 lbs back and am now happy to be skinny.

The minute you feel that you have eaten enough -- stop.

Eat often but don't be concerned that they are small meals.

Eat variety and I suggest Progresso Soup -- the broth types not the cream based. I also make a variety of pasta meals. Add MTC oil to your food. Take Citrical or other mild laxative to keep your intestines from binding up.

Do your beverage after your meal as it is volume itself. Then drink water 20 minutes after your meal is done -- drink small glasses often.

Ask your doc for an okay for a Bariatric Vitamin and a Bariatric Calcium Mineral supplement okay. Take with Quecetrin. Remember, your stomach made Intrinsic Factor that you need to convert vitamin B source to B-6 and B-12 and you will reduce more nerve damage by keeping your B vitamin level high. I get my B-12 level checked once a year as I have chemo nerve damage.

Exercise to rebuild muscle and keep digestion moving.