So you’d think that at almost 10 months post op, I would’ve figured out this whole post-gastrectomy diet thing. But my husband and I were discussing my sugar crash this morning…
It seems that for breakfast, I can’t have anything sugary at all. But later in the day I can handle some sugar. His argument is that when your body has fasted all night, it instantaneously absorbs whatever you eat in the morning. This morning I had my regular English muffin with butter and scrambled eggs plus a little jam. But I finished off 4-5 bites if my son’s Kellogg’s strawberry something sugary with milk and it threw me into a mild sugar crash for 10-15 minutes.
So that’s my assessment for today. I truly feel that my body had adapted really well so far. I can eat small meals, life is good. I’ve found that one protein shake in the morning with 2 scoops of muscle milk is the only big supplement I need with my kids multivitamin at night.
It generally keeps me at my crazy energy level (distance running included) and I try to eat well and incorporate some protein at every meal. Just watch out for the first meal of the day. Also water seems to get the whole digestive system going first thing in the morning.
So happy Sunday without a stomach. Clearly God didn’t want me to have a stomach. I’m not sure why, but He is good and my life is beautiful.
Marne
Hello Marne! I read your entire blog and I so appreciate all of the information. I am having a TG on the 21st of April. Mine is for polyps that are pre-cancerous. I have FAP/Gardner Syndrome. I also don’t have my large intestines so I have been really nervous, but thanks to reading your blog, I found the support group you posted about. I have found two others just like me and it gave me hope for a “normal” life. I am glad that you made the choice you did and that you will be around for a long time. When I think of how hard it will be adjusting I just keep saying to myself, “at least I will be alive”. Thank you for all of the information you have posted!
Thanks Christy!! Try to remember life will be normal again…I feel like I’m pretty normal now. I don’t personally know what the difference is for recovery with no large intestines.
It’s just a journey from surgery day for sure! And during the tough days, I’m here, the support group is here. Remember you’re not alone. Prayers for you for April 21.
Our life is beautiful because of you!!
NaNa Shafer
Oh my gosh… I think I finally know what you truly feel like. The other day I made a chocolate milk as a snack before bed time, but confused “Fat-Free” with “Sugar-Free” and I literally felt like it was going to be the end of me! For an hour and a half I was in some major pain. I was seriously wondering why it tasted so good… ;).
I got out osf the hospital 1 year ago today with no stomach. Atmy age {91 } I feel much better than I should. I have determined however that it is better to eat smaller meals as I was trying to do it on 3 meals and as having “the syndrone” once in a while.When you are alone , it is hard to eat slow and chew a lot but that seems to be the clue in eating.The biggest problem is drinking as I need 64+ oz of water a day to keep my ankles from swelling. I plan o going fishing soonand maybe camp out a day or two. I hope to enjoy the years that I have left to the fullest without a stomach.I enjoy reading all the coment from everyone. John
Thanks for the feedback John!! 🙂
Random question for you Marne: after month of surgery did you have any kind of oozing or bleeding still at your surgical site? For some reason when I get out of the shower one are of my wound bleeds/oozes just a little bit and then, for the most part, goes away. Sorry it’s sort of a gross question.
-Steve
For me after c-sections and gastrectomy, not a gross question. Your incision shouldn’t be oozing or red. After my surgery I had oozing but only around my feeding tube. Basically my body was trying to push the tube out and close up the hole.
All my surgery incisions with stitches were not red or oozing. That might mean you popped a stitch. (I popped one stitch trying to catch up with my hubbie one day because he’d sometimes forget I walked slow for the first weeks out of the hospital! Haha! That looked like it gaped more than my other stitches, but never blood or a ton of oozing.) I’d call your doc and ask if they want to see the incision to be sure. You don’t need an infection or something! You’ve already got a full schedule eating food.
Keep it up!
I am having total TG on April 17th….I too have read your entire blog and it is what gives me hope. Thank you for posting. I tested positive for the CDH1 gene mutation…and so it goes…..
Thanks for the feedback Jean! It helps to know life is not over post gastrectomy. It’s certainly a 6-month slow-down, but in the grand scheme of things, a bump in the road.
It’s hardest going into surgery. A lot to think about. Some anger about having the gene mutation. And worry about what my life will look like afterwards.
My summary for now is (from the perspective of 10 months post op): post gastrectomy life means constant portion size control, constant snacking, watching your sugars, drinking a daily protein shake (not required, but helps me), never feeling that hunger pang. Things that didn’t change: my family, my attitude, my love of distance running, my energy to do everything I set my mind to.
6 days left with a stomach…and counting down….wondering what it is going to be like after surgery…what kind of pain Ill be in….if there will be complications…..what will eating food again be like…..so much to go thru yet….but trying not to think about it….
thank you so much for your words of encouragement…..
I feel very lucky to have been able to read your blog and see how things went for you…..as it is helping me prepare for my new life.
Im so happy you were there!!….thank you!!
Thanks Jean. My prayers are with you. Sounds like your surgery is scheduled for Thursday.
The best thing anyone said to me the day before surgery was a simple, “It’ll be ok.” I pass that along to you. Your nerves and stress must be overpowering right now. Try your best to distract yourself. Weird movies the night before helped a little.
hi, I am 7 weeks post op after having my total stomach removed, spleen, half my pancreas, half my colon and gall bladder. I am struggling with the huge lifestyle change from diet to energy levels. I was a fit 44yr old mum of 3 and now im a skinny mum of 3!! …like you are all saying, eating is so hard. I really struggle with fluids as you cant drink lots for fear of dumping. How do u get ur fluids in during the day? mornings are hard as food seems to go straight through me. I feel quite isolated as there isn’t anything to read regarding the operation. I had a 5pound tumour growing outside my stomach which was cancerous, I have been told I need chemo as a medicine? has anyone heard of this? When do you think my energy levels will rise? all I want to do is sleep? many thanks kirsty lee
Hi Kirsty,
Your surgery took out more than mine. I only had my stomach removed. I left the hospital with a feeding tube and I think that helped my energy.
It took 12 weeks to get back to somewhat normal energy levels, but I still wasn’t 100%.
Basically if I wasn’t sleeping, I was either eating or drinking. Constant healthy snacking, focus on protein and sipping water in between. At first I wasn’t able to get as hydrated as I would like, so I stayed inside so u wouldn’t get hot and sweat.
What works now is drink water while I get ready after getting out of bed. Then I have some eggs. That seems to kick start my day.
I was lucky not to get outright dumping, but got occasional nausea or not feeling good after eating. But the healthier I eat the better….huge focus on removing sugar from my diet since it sends me into some sort of imbalance.
You need to talk to your doctor. You should be having follow up appointments and a plan for chemo if that’s what they recommend. I’d continue to research and talk with your doctor.
There’s also a Facebook support group called “total and partial gastrectomy support”.
Hope that helps! Just get through this tough recovery. It stinks.
Marne
Hi, my husband had his whole stomach removed four months ago when they found cancer.. Age 62. He was eating blended food about a week after surgery for 10 days then normal food. He eats quite a lot of food. Burps a bit if he eats to quick. He no Longer takes bp medication and his diabetes has gone. Apart from low blood sugar some times he seems to be really good and doesn’t appear to miss his stomach at all. He has b12 shots each month and a iron infushion every six months as his iron count was to low due to the blood loss from a ulcer which bled which they discovered in the hospital after he collapsed from low blood pressure . That is how they found the stomach cancer while they were doing a endoscopy checking for a ulcer. He was very lucky as it was small and contained. He was told told the stomach is the only organ you don’t need at all.its good to read all the posts to reassure yourself that life can be normal.
Hi Lesley!
Good to hear your husband is healthy and recovering well. I read your comment this morning after running, and I had just been thinking about how lucky I am. Just a normal, happy life!!
Marne