Post Ivor Lewis

[Ellapup]

3 1/2 months post op and feeling pretty good. Can’t say it wasn’t difficult but can see the light. I do have problems with dumping seems every 3 wks or so. Don’t know if food choices or just the new normal.

[Ian1964oz]

I had this procedure in 2009 and I live to the most a normal life. I don’t go to big dinner nights out because I can’t as much as I did. I just eat bitsand pieces during the day. I had initial issues with over eating and getting the pains because of it but I understand it now so I don’t do that anyomore. I find that I eat different food than I did. I do not eat red meat anymore and I eat a lot more vegetables and sauces because I find it easier to eat.

[Ellapup in reply to Ian1964oz]

I'm still trying to fine tune this new me. I count calories and find it hard to not over eat even though I know the discomfort it brings. My calorie count is usually 16 or 1700 and just seems to maintain but not gain. I do eat chicken and fish no problems but have had bad experience with fried food. Thanks for the rep!y and sharing , nice to know also that longevity is a factor 😊

[slobjohnb]

I'm nearly 1 year in now, few major problems, eat less more often, meat is a problem area. Don't eat late at night, make sure you don't go flat on your back during the night and stay active and as fit as possible. 1 x 30mg Lansoprazole per day seems to work for me. I have a couple of bottled beers at lunchtime and am enjoying life. Treat your stomach with care and it will behave properly.

[Ellapup in reply to slobjohnb]

I can't seem to do a beer yet but I have gotten back to riding bike and walking. Sometimes I wonder if I burn to many calories as keeping weight on is a problem. Looking for that perfect food, small and packed with protein and calories.

[slobjohnb in reply to Ellapup]

I know that we are all so different but my perfect food is St Augur cheese, a smooth and creamy blue cheese that is not too strong, spreads on crisp bread and when I couldn't taste very much because of the stomach 'vapours' this was the ideal solution. For me it was a life saver. High in calories and protein and at the moment on special offer in a lot of supermarkets. Has a lot of flavour but is easily digested. A bit like marmite though - I happen to love it.

[kiddy]

Hi well done, being positive and trying to manage the symptoms is a way of life now. I’m 2yrs 11mths and still eat little and often and try to avoid too much sugar and fat.

I still get dumping and carry a banana and dextrose tablets which do help.

Best Wishes

Debbie

[Ellapup in reply to kiddy]

It does take a lot of time and management to keep up. I start ear!y to get a head start. Dextrose is a great idea my last spell left me in a sweaty heap and my wife was there to put some honey in my mouth to bring me around. I can never quite figure out what triggers them and when. My wife says to watch my sugar but don't think I eat much of it . Thanks for your input

[luluw]

My husband had his surgery about 18 months ago and eats fairly normally. We eat out when we feel like it but more often at lunchtime than in the evening. He gets the occasional episode of dumping which is not really predictable. He always carries dextrose tablets wherever he goes and sometimes a small bottle of coke (fullfat, not diet!)

To encourage all of you out there in OPA Land who have recently had IL surgery or who might be facing it soon, we went for a checkup last week and to our delight, he was signed off by the surgeon who said he could 'consider himself cured'. How about that? The treatment is a rough road to travel but for him, it's been worth it. He's still here with me and our new grandson and enjoying life.

Lou

[Debbiewallis in reply to luluw]

That’s so good to hear !!!

My husband is 16 months IL ... just had another ‘ stretch ‘ his 7th and recently a follow up but not due one for 6 months...but they’re happy with him . Our main problem is the dumping......I don’t get it ....he can go days and days without having it then this last week it’s been every flipping day and it worries the life out of me ! Sounds silly but the only place I feel we’re ‘ normal ‘ is with you guys here !!! No one else really understands .....my hubby always suffered from IBS which people relate it to , but like My husband Tony says .... there is NO comparison.

He eats little and often and finds ‘ peanuts’ help him weirdly and carries glucose tablets , no longer drink Coffee, beer or carbonated drinks but just “one” mouthful more and within 15 mins .... disaster !! Dark chocolate he can eat with no problem but careful not to overdo desserts. It’s just so annoying that one day he’s fine and even though he could eat the same the next , he can have dumping.

Any advice !?

Deb xx

[jeffw663]

How fantastic to hear all the positive replies to Ellapup, I'm now 5 months post I L and getting on fine, I seem to be OK eating a reasonable breakfast, no mid morning snacks, a reasonable snack lunch, no mid afternoon snack and then a reasonable dinner at about 6 p.m. (even a small sherry before dinner, never used to like it at all but post op it's great ? )

We are now even eating out now and then, my wife Helen brings a Tupperware type box and anything I can't manage goes into that for later the following day, we even had a weekend away which I was quite apprehensive about but we both thoroughly enjoyed it and I now have the confidence to go away again.

Had my November check up cancelled as I was doing well and life seems good, OK yes I can go 12 to 14 days with no 'dumping' then perhaps I get over confident and it strikes out of the blue.

Am eating most foods, including meat but I recall a comment that 'there are no teeth in your stomach' so I try to chew well.

Well done Ellapup and all you others who have replied with good messages.

Jeff

[Ellapup in reply to jeffw663]

I am going to have a 4 mth check up next so and I am feeling better,stronger every day and know that I am now cancer free. It was not easy but so worth the struggle, good luck to you.

[trumpd]

Hi I am now 10 months post IL op and have just had a scan/checkup.Awaiting confirmed results but consultant not expecting any complications. Experience dumping about twice a month usually associted with eating too much and or too quickly but have received little advice on managing symtoms. At what point does one take dextrose or banana? So heartened by the positive attitudes shown by everyone! Happy Xmas all.

[luluw in reply to trumpd]

According to my husband, the earlier you take the dextrose tablets the better-it can stop the worst of an attack.