Recovering From a Complete Gastrectomy

I am recovering from a complete gastrectomy. My surgery on the 28th of March, consisted of the complete removal of my stomach, some of my esophagus,complete removal of my spleen, distal pancreaotomy,some of my bowel, and several lymph nodes. I was diagnosed as a stage 4,poor prognosis. I am at home now trying to be strong and keep myself nutritioned. It is the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. It is difficult in itself just trying to find the foods that will agree with my new system. I have found some things, and I'm glad for that. I am on a duragesic pain patch which really helps me with the pain, but the problem is I am completely constipated. Does anyone have any advice??? I feel like I can't eat when I get so backed up. I am trying to do everything I can to try and stay positive. And hello Dawn if you are reading this. I've tried to call you today so I could talk to you but no answer. I hope you had a good trip. I've been thinking about you.

Hi Sabina, I has a total gastrectomy on March 21st. I had problems with constapation, still do. I use enemas every other day if i don't go on my own. I am currently on TPN (total parental nutrition) IV nutrition to help support me while my body adjusts. It has helped immensly. Using the IV nutrition has allowed me to not push myself so hard while eating. I was getting really really sick every time I ate. Between having dumping syndrome symptoms of nausea, dizziness, rapid heart beat, drop in blood pressure and them not being able to have a bowel movement I was a sick sick puppy. My GI Dr. told me focus on fluids first, get some strenght from the IV nutrition and walk as much as possible to get my bowels active. I did bicycle movements with my legs in bed if I couldn't walk. I had to go off my pain patch eventually to help also, I am still using vicodin. I do eat food, and it has gotten lots easier after not having to force myself. I actually like food again. I hope all goes well, I know this message was just a babbling message. Hang in there!!!!

 

On 5/18/2006 Cookie wrote:

I am recovering from a complete gastrectomy. My surgery on the 28th of March, consisted of the complete removal of my stomach, some of my esophagus,complete removal of my spleen, distal pancreaotomy,some of my bowel, and several lymph nodes. I was diagnosed as a stage 4,poor prognosis. I am at home now trying to be strong and keep myself nutritioned. It is the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. It is difficult in itself just trying to find the foods that will agree with my new system. I have found some things, and I'm glad for that. I am on a duragesic pain patch which really helps me with the pain, but the problem is I am completely constipated. Does anyone have any advice??? I feel like I can't eat when I get so backed up. I am trying to do everything I can to try and stay positive. And hello Dawn if you are reading this. I've tried to call you today so I could talk to you but no answer. I hope you had a good trip. I've been thinking about you.

 

Hello There!

 I seen your post and had to try to help. I myself have had a complete Gastrectomy with MANY alterations since. Like you I have had issues, and I do not know if you have any help from the medical field but I find MANY brick walls, which is why I am on the web looking for answers.

  Any ways, I would like to tell you what I have found to work for me when I am "blocked", I too am on a regiman of pain meds which cause as many issues as they help (as I am sure you have found as well), but being a patient with out a stomach, and altered intestines I have found a really crazy help for those blocking moments. I eat a small bowl of cereal (like lucky charms, or another not to sweet but kind of sweet cereal), with 2% milk will work faster and with less pain than any laxetive out there. It has something to do with the sugar and the lactose in the milk and our altered guts that makes it work.

  I pray it will work for you as well as it does for me. And if you need to talk to someone I would welcome your questions, and just plain conversation. Please feel free to e-mail me and then if you would like I can share my number. My e-mail is

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I pray you are well and happy.

Toni