Food post op - recommendations/experience sought .

[strangetimes]

I had op in August and am currently on post op chemo so I'm sure things will improve but ...what do people eat ?

I crave something tasty ,flavourful ,and satisfying and I'm tired of picking at plain chicken .fish .etc . Of course I'd love a whole meal but I know that's unrealistic ..I'm beginning to envy those who don't feel hungry . Having steroid induced hunger and the inabilty to eat ( too much bloting ,painful cramps ,dumping ) is driving me round the bend .

Oatcakes and stilton are sometimes ok . Pasta and sauce likewise . But any excess of cheese /tomatoe /onion /garlic etc seem out .

After a terrible reaction to baked beans I'm terrified of all pulses . Similarly scared of citrus fruits - though tinned manadarin oranges seem a palatable substitute.

Will I ever be able to eat my beloved swiss museli again ? Nuts ,seeds ?

Dreading Christmas .

Would love to hear of any tasty food people eat ,and what they find they tolerate and what they don't .

[hilr]

Hi Violet Queen

I think I'm a little ahead of you so can offer some hope.

I had little appetite whilst undergoing my 3 cycles of post-op chemo, especially during the 10 days of nausea started happened after each infusion.

I think what we can eat and tolerate is very personal, but for me, rich yoghurts which have cream and fruit in, fruit fools (note, only half a pot at a time otherwise dumping occurs as too rich); leek and stilton soup or broccoli and stilton soup; Butternut squash soup; jacket potato with cheese; little cheese fingers; beef or lamb casserole with lois of veg (and tiny portions) and my favourite throughout has been chip shop chips smothered in vinegar and salt.

I finished the chemo about 5 weeks ago and also went back to work. Suddenly about a week ago I realised I was eating much bigger portions and usually not getting dumping syndrome, and not getting that lumpy feeling at the back of my throat either. I'm not sure if this is timing (I'm six months post-op); work being a distraction or if the chemo "damaged" my new oeseophagus and that has now worn off. But in summary I'm feeling much better, eating better, more active and don't think about the big "C" as much as i did.

I have my review with surgeon and oncologist next week but as they don't plan to scan me I'm not sure what that will involve.

Keep up the chemo and keep your chin up, it will all be over soon. And you know what, for me its a bit like what they say about childbirth, you very quickly forget what it was like afterwards!!! I had 3 children but hope I don't have 3 sets of treatment!!! LOL

Hilary x

[strangetimes]

Thanks Hilary . I'm keen on butternut squash ,little nervous of leeks and broccoli - in case they cause wind - but I think a lot of it is apprehension .and may not be justified .

I find at certain points in the chemo the back of my throat feels very tight + plus that sensation of food sticking . I think maybe the chemo makes the scar tissue at the join more rigid ? That's what I imagine - probably not that !

Realistically I know I need to wait until after the chemo before I can expect much change .

I'll be interested to hear how your appointment goes - I'm wondering about follow up procedure and any future scans .

Thanks for replying !

[willow13]

Hello Violet, My husband is 16 months post op. now and eating is just about normal now. Not so much bread or potatoes but everything else Is normal. He has endoscopy every 3 months checking that all is ok. When he came out of hospital he lived on supermarket up market puddings, like tiramisu and crème caramel etc. Seems a long time ago now! Good luck for the future.

[strangetimes]

Good to know willow . Glad things are going well . Sure I can look forward to an improvement ,just a little limiting right now .

[valruss]

Hello Violet

My husband is four months post op but realistically only 8 weeks into eating as he had post op complications which set him back significantly. One of his favourite foods which slips down easily are pancakes with lots of fresh lime/lemon/orange juice and a little icing sugar. He doesn't have any appetite at the moment, and finds eating a chore especially towards the end of the day when he is getting tired. He had a "stretch" a couple of weeks ago and that has seemed to help with the sensation of food sticking although he says it still doesn't feel 100% comfortable. Good luck with the rest of the chemo and as Willow says, as time passes, you will improve on all fronts and begin to forget this difficult times.

[strangetimes]

valruss - sorry to hear about your husband's complications . This is all hard enough with no complications - can't imagine what extra problems are like !

Pancakes sound a good idea ,a wife to cook them for me even better !

Thanks for the message of support .

[strangetimes in reply to strangetimes]

Does anyone further down the line have any advice about eating nut and seeds ?

Are these well tolerated ?

[spanner16 in reply to strangetimes]

I'm 10 months post op and LOVE my homemade trail mix, dried fruit, nuts, dried seeds and beans, pretzels and little dark chocolate chips. It's great for the much needed extra calories and I always have a huge bag on my desk at work for snacking on during the day. I've personally got no problems with any of the above. Hope that helps xx

[speakman]

Hello,

I am now 2.5 years post op. and both my appetite and ability to eat both more and different types of food has improved substantially over time. For quite a long period, however, I was simply eating to keep body and soul together - eating gave me no enjoyment, with the exception of ice cream, strawberries and cream and fresh fruit, along with sweets. I have also found that the likes of chicken and fish are much more palatable with a tasty accompanying sauce. Home-made soups are also fine and now to answer your question, I found that I was able to eat nuts - I have redskin peanuts and raisins, as well as almonds - from a fairly early point after my op, though I can't now recall precisely when. Stick with it and if you are like me, things will improve.

Best wishes,

Speakman.

[strangetimes]

Thanks speakman . It's such a loaded thing eating isn't it ? Very physcological....I fear food and I crave certain things . Think I'm obsessed !

[Alanace]

Three years post op. I eat either meusli or Fruit &Fibre for breakfast and I add a hand full of mixed nuts to both. Can't remember how long I have been doing this, but certainly a year+. I remember food being a problem, but everything improved so gradually, wellness sort of crept up on me.

Like giving up smoking, at first you think of nothing else and then one day you realise you don't miss it! I only have a problem with bread, (toast is Ok), and hot curry. - a definite no-no.

Keep positive and be as active as you can. Hope this helps, but as has already been pointed out, we are all individuals.

[strangetimes]

I knew if I waited someone would tell me that muesli would be ok ! -)