Post Ivor Lewis diet

[Deeedals]

Just wondering what post Ivor Lewis diet is likely to be and timescales to normal diet please

[ccfc]

Everyone is different so it’s hard to know what your timescale will be. Your diet is likely to consist of high calorie foods to keep your weight up. Some find they struggle with certain foods but in my case I can eat anything but obviously in smaller amounts. Good luck and best wishes, James.

[Nissi18]

Hi, my dad has had his feeding tube since his surgery on the 25th November. Although it is now ready to be removed because he has managed to gain weight without the feed, over the last week he has complained that it feels sore and has developed a lump behind the entry point in his stomach. I didn’t waste anytime and made him an appointment with the GP. The GP prescribed him some antibiotics because the appearance of the entry point was a bit red and sore and confirmed the lump was a small hernia which will be sorted when he finally has the tube removed. I hope this helps.

[Cavalier3]

Hi Deedals, I am 9 weeks post IL and I’m eating everything with the exception of pasta.. it’s made me sick twice now so I’m leaving it alone for a while. I ate a soft diet for about 3 weeks then started to introduce different textures and foods and by 7 weeks I was eating everything just small portions and I eat something every 2 hours.

[MFH28]

Hi

ccfc is right, it’s a case of trial and error until you find the appropriate foods that suit you.

In my experience the very foods recommended for me, such as dairy etc, were the ones which proved to be completely wrong for me.

I think you need to concentrate on foods which offer high levels of calorie but avoid too much sugar which, in my case, caused dumping (check that out on the OPA website) You may also consider taking a pro-biotic which has definitely helped me.

Eating always seems the culprit for weight loss we in this exclusive club belong to, but much is down to muscle wastage. Therefore try to exercise regularly; little to start with and gradually increase as you feel you can.

Best wishes

MFH

[Von66 in reply to MFH28]

Can I ask what probiotic you take please x

[MFH28 in reply to Von66]

Hi

Yes, it’s called Bio-Kult and comes in tablet form. It’s avail from most Chemists but I get it from Amazon as it’s cheaper!

[champagnelover]

As people are saying on here as we seem to have different experiences with food after the op. I think small and often is the general rule and you will lose weight. For me it was trial and error to find out what I could eat. Pasta has always been good for me! I found myself eating tinned fruit and ice cream too. I never felt like eating in the early days so try to go with what you fancy. As others say you may experience dumping (read advice on OPA) but also I found a hot water bottle relieved the symptoms quite quickly. Good luck with the op and take baby steps to recover

[Spikey]

About 10 years ago, I attended a talk given by a consultant gastroenterologist from the London Hospital organised by the London branch of the OPA. He advised avoiding dairy products for the first year and taking high strength probiotics to aid the recovery of the digestive system. I did this and it helped.As for when you can return to a normal diet, it depends what you mean by normal. In my own case, my diet has never returned to what it was before the operation. I now have a much healthier diet, with lots of fruit and vegetables and much less red meat.

My advice is to avoid foods that are high in fat or sugar, as these can cause acid reflux and dumping, which are the two most common after effects of the surgery. But, as others have said, it is a case of trial and error and finding what works for you.

Good luck.

[Janashlin]

Agree with the above comments and I use a pro biotic as well. I find it makes a big difference.

[grandylynda]

As others say, it seems everyone is different. Too big in with I wanted loads of salt on things. Havnt been able to stand black coffee or wine since, nearly 4 years now. Wish I had had the dairy advice early on just going to lacto free milk helped a lot or soya or oat milk. My digestive system still doesn't cope with a lot of fruit or veg

[Notknowmuch]

Hi Deedals, hope you are recovering well from surgery. Post diet for my husband (11 mths post IL) remains 6 small meals. Breakfast always: Oats and small coffee latte (consumed separately as both is too much to be eaten in one go)Morning tea always: Fortisip protein drink

Lunch ( more choices for this meal):

A sandwich (crust cut out) OR poached eggs with saute mushrooms or spinach or asparagus OR pancake (add an egg to batter) with butter and maple syrup OR a chicken or meat pie OR a pastie OR soup

Afternoon tea always: 100ml Sustagen drink with a piece of fruit (not consumed in one go though) OR Cliff Bar OR high protein snack bar

Dinner (again more choices): chicken and veg stew, pasta carbonara, meat and veg stir fries, noodles with meat and veg

Last meal of the day (my husbsnd’s fav): small portion snack of any sort that he enjoys - ice cream, jelly with fruit, a handful of cheezles or chips or chocolate, crackers and cheese, etc

All meals are in small baby portions for first 8 months post op but now my husband is able to have toddler portions 😊. In between meals sips of water. I find slow cooker meals are very convenient and the meat is softer and has more sauce which makes it easier to eat too.

Luckily my husband isn’t too fussy with the routine meal choices so maintaining this diet plan makes it easier for me….feeding him wise.

I think ‘normal diet’ would be very similar ie: always 6 small meals going forward and not eating 3-4 hours before bed.

Hope you can get some ideas and please monitor your weight. Eat higher calories if needed to gain weight.

[Deeedals in reply to Notknowmuch]

Despite your name, you know a lot 😂 Thanks for all the tips. My surgery is not for a few weeks yet but I’m just trying to familiarise myself with what the diet is like .

[Notknowmuch]

Oops, I thought you were recovering from op.

Initially month (or 2) diet probably soups and any meal should have lots of gravy and pureed if it makes it easier for you to eat.

If you can tolerate diary rich food (fortunately my husband could); then lots of custard, ice cream creamy desserts.

The Fortisip high protein drink (recommended by dietitian) was a life saver to up his calories intake. He is 11 mths post op and Cliff Bars that is available in supermarkets (we are in Melbourne) and Fortisip is still constant in his diet plan. We find it very convenient to have these during travels or when he is away from home.

If possible please put on weight as much as you can as you will benefit going to surgery weighing more. Take short walks now…beneficial physically and mentally.

All the best.

[liz_crisp]

Hi basically whatever ever you fancy but in very small portions and just keep nibbling. It helps to set an alarm every couple of hours or a timer on your phone. You may not feel hungry and it's easy not to eat at all. I called it my biscuit timer and every hour (i was awake) I would eat something even if it was just a biscuit. I only ate what I most fancied . Calories are the main concern so eat as much chocolate, ice cream, avocado , mayonnaise, cream, cheese etc as you want. Sauce or Mayo with everything helps and in the beginning softy foods and chew everything really well. A and as not know much says put on as much weight as you can now Take care. Hugs and good luck. .

[Deeedals in reply to liz_crisp]

Thanks Liz, great advice. The putting on weight now is hard when I’ve spent the last 10 years or so putting the brakes on! 😂

[liz_crisp]

Pretend you are on holiday, drink pina colada , Bailey's etc and spoil yourself rotten 🥂😂