Meal Plans For Someone Without A Stomach

My husband had all of his stomach removed in November, 2004 due to stomach cancer. We are struggling with knowing how much and how to eat. He is still losing weight, but he just finished radiation treatments at the end of February, 2005. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Dear Debbi:

I am 51 year old male. I also had stomach cancer. I had total stomach removed and cytoreduction performed on November 2003. I have already gone for 7 chemo and presently I am cancer free. I have no food restriction. I eat everything that I used to. The portion is less but I eat more often. I lost 50 lb after surgery and due to the cancer but I have gained back about 20 lb. I am not gaining any more and that is fine with me. I drink before I eat that way it helps me to have more food intake. I drink mainly hot sweet tea or Gatorade. Without Stomach, absorption is affected and it also affect the electolyte intake. That has caused low blood pressure for me.
Please tell your husband to continue his effort to eat as much as he can. Gaining weight is very important to fight this cancer. I will think about him and wish you all full recovery. Let me know how is he doing.

My husband has had 6 months of a clinical trial of chemo theraphy and 2 months of radiation and chemo. We are headed back for a restaging and there is talk of removing his stomach. I would like to hear feedback on those that have gone thru with this surgery. We realize there will be substancial weight lose but is there a return to a somewhat normal quality of life? What are some of the things we can expect?

Hi Diana...

My mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer in 20002. After 2 years of serious chemo, she is now in remission - only with chemo, no radiation! She's an amazing person. In February 2004, she had her stomach removed. Unfortunately, she lost even more weight after the surgery - about another 20 pounds. Since Feb of last year, her health has been deteriorating. She can't eat "small meals" - in fact she can barely keep anything down. She has severe acid reflux that keeps her from eating or drinking anything. (She also must go to dialysis 3 times a week because her kidneys won't function as a result from the chemo.) I am still waiting for a somewhat "normal life" to return. I don't want to be negative or pessimistic, but she has told me that if she could do it again, she would have kept her stomach. She's 58 years old. My only advice is that if your husband can live with eating and drinking foods that may very bland in the beginning and can strictly follow nutritionist's advice, he should pursue this. I have to say that my mom has not followed any strict diet regiment or eats the right foods, but she is also in a different stage than most. What I know is that this recovery is a lot more difficult than doctors make it out to be - it's not "more smaller meals per day" ...for my mom, it's been a total change of lifestyle and her life. Hope this may have helped you with your decision. Please let me know if you have any other questions - I would be happy to be as honest with you as possible.

Lalabaie

Who was your doctor? What all did they find and remove?

I'm very interested as I may have similar problems.

Thanks for writing back
bob

Bob:

My surgeon's name is Dr. Sardi at St. Agnes of Baltimore. If you need more information please let me know. Good luck and keep the hope alive.

L,

Can you send back more info?

Thanks
Bob

Bob:

I am not sure more information about Dr. Sardi or my surgery. Dr. Sardi's group is one of the two who perform this surgery. He had reasonable success and this procedure is getting more recognation nation wide. The pioner in this surgery is a doctor at Washington DC. There are several centers in USA that perform this surgery. Your best bet is to ask other surgeons and also call Dr. Sardi's office. Each patient is different and the need might be different too. I would suggest to make your choice ASAP and then go with it. Stop reading too much about it or trying to find out everything about this disease. It is a serious one and you need to get at it as soon as you can.

Good luck again

Danielle,

Have the doctors considered getting her a feeding tube for nutrients and calories so she can gain weight to help her regain her health?
My husband was due to have his stomach removed but they couldn't do it because the cancer had spread. He is undergoing chemo again and uses his feeding tube to help him gain his weight back so that he can continue his fight with cancer.

Please check every avenue. Don't give up. If I can help in any way, please let me know. Two people researching is better than one.

Peace and blessings,
J

HI, I am Marta and planning to have surgery with Dr Sardi. Anyone willing to tell me about his experience with you? THank you so much