Hi, my sister-in-law had liver transplant 3 weeks ago. She's had a couple of set backs but she's recovering. She has a big problem eating and they're going to put her on gastric feeding tube unless she can increase her calorie consumption. I wondered if anyone could recommend snacks etc that she might be able to tolerate?
Thanks
She should be still regularly attending clinic at this point and I take it she is seeing the transplant unit dietician. It would be best to ask them for suggestions but my hubby was told to eat regularly through the day (he was deemed to be malnourished on first attendance at T/P clinic and had to go on a high carb/high protein drinking plan and eventually also the Ensure supplements and he went from 8 1/2 stone to 11 stone) - snacking with no long breaks and have plenty of carbohydrates plus protein with at least 3 meals. Pancakes, crumpets, cakes, jam and bread, potato, pasta etc. etc. Boiled egg and bread or toast is a favourite with hubby. It's all about nibbling regularly.
Dietician at T/P clinic would be the best person to ask for personal advice to suit your sister-in-laws individual needs.
Wishing her all the best
Katie
Thanks Katie. She's still in hospital as she had to have 3 more operations following her surgery.
All the best for your husband's recovery.
Caroline
My hubby never got a transplant he improved slightly after 10 months waiting, so he's back in the wait and see situation.
He's recently lost half a stone again and is desperatly trying to nibble to try and regain it.
Hospital food is dire and there is no wonder she still can't eat. We got told to take stuff in for hubby whilst he was in for TP assessment week and an anerysm operation. I would take in flap jacks, biscuits etc. Even in the liver unit they never had suppers or snacks between meals which the dietician was coming in telling us was necessary.
What about yoghurts, the little pots of jellies and trifles anything that she can tolerate.
Hopefully she'll feel more like eating shortly - it's very early days and she's been through a hell of an ordeal and her internal organs have all be shunted about as they fit the new liver so it's hardly suprising she is off her food at present.
Best wishes, Katie
Thanks so much Katie
Please do not worry. It takes time for appetite to build up. After my transplant the smell of food made me sick. Sometimes I'd hide food so everyone would stop nagging me! The consultants were great though, they did say to not force me however they did reiterate that it was important for me to eat. I was in hospital for 6 weeks after my transplant. During those days I hardly ate. The taste was disgusting and even water tasted so horrific. I had to dilute it with juice. I do not drink fizzy but back then I kept asking for cherry coke to take that taste from medications out of my mouth. Eventually the doctor ordered for me to have an NG tube because I was losing weight. I was actually GLAD. Everyone stopped harassing me. The tea lady probably got fed up of me saying no so many times a day.
Believe it or not, the nutritional feeds helped me in the end. I felt so much better having it for a week. I think I probably built up an appetite a few months after my surgery and the quantity took so much longer. It used to tire me out if I hate more than 5/6 bites.
I would suggest an NG tube and hopefully that will help.
Take care
Glad to hear you are doing well. I always think it's amazing when i hear people's transplant stories. What assessments do you need prior to transplant?
My story is a bit scary in that I never had any liver disease prior to falling unwell. I was a healthy mother of two planning to have my 3rd child and suddenly I became unwell. I went onto the super urgent list due to the rapid decline in my health.
There are plenty of people who have had the transplant assessment and hopefully can help you.
If you'd like to read more about my story I write a blog at: transplantmum.blogspot.com
Great I'll certainly have a read.Thank you for sharing.
My relative never drank a drop of alcohol in their life but has ended up having end stage liver cirrhosis......diagnosed far too late........ few years ago had some abnormal blood results,raised LFTs which I queried + and the consultant brushed it off and now few years down the line here we are.... needing a liver transplant
How very sad this wasn't followed up sooner. Did your relative find out the cause? My hubby's were blamed on drinking even though when he abstained for 3 months his gla was still mega high. He was on very strong antibiotics. He died 15months later, 2 weeks after ending a course of 'strings' antibiotics.
Thanks so much for this. It's put our minds more at ease.
She's with me now and says that's just how she feels.
Caroline
She will be OK. These medications are very strong so it alters the taste too and plays about with your appetite. I used to think I'll never eat anymore but believe me give it a few months and the steroids might kick in and she'll be like me, eating about 3/4 Krispy Kreme at a time!
Don't worry she will balance it all out. I eat fine now. Maybe a bit less than what I used to but my health is more important and so I keep to a good routine. I still eat a bit of junk now and then but try not to. I wish I was a fruit lover but the only fruits I love are watermelon, lychee and Asian mangoes.
Your sister in law will be fine. She's had a huge surgery.
All the best!
Thank you and keep well
cheese and biscuits, peanut butter on toast....anything she likes i guess...regularly snacking if it's an issue oral nutritional supplements high calorie with extra protein on top of snacking
Hi , sounds like she is doing ok. It took me a few weeks to start eating meals again. ...
Hi, I forgot, I was given a drink called Fortisip. It's a milk shake which comes in different flavours and contains loads of vitamins, it is also used as a meal. Maybe a word with the dietician may advise you.
Ok - thanks, I'll tell her about it.
I have not had a transplant but. I do get nausea I find biscuits particularly good. I know they are not nutritious but sometimes a couple of. Custard creams mean that the edge on the. Nausea. Is gone enough to then. Manage something else a little while later. Little and often is the most important bit. Good luck to her. Xx
Thank you
Hi Caroline, I sympathise with your sister in law. I had three ops in hospital over 3 1/2 weeks and am now 6 weeks out of hospital.
I remember how bland and revolting everything tasted in hospital.
the multiple ops really knocked me around
I am only just starting to get my appetite back, but immediately felt so much more positive on getting home.
Apparently the steroids usually increase your appetite but can have the opposite effect.
As mentioned, Fortisip Compact Protein is very good.
Sure she will improve once she gets out of hospital.
All the best to you all
Thank you - good luck with your recovery too.
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