What will I be able to eat?

[DaddyPig]

As someone who is hoping to have a new stomach in the near future, but understands that I'm not going to be tucking into roast beef in a fortnight, could anyone tell me what sort of things can be eaten after the 'mush' period is through?

I appreciate that it may be a long list (hopefully), but are there lists that can be downloaded off the net?

[Hidden]

I can eat most things I like.Some food causes problems with acid,Burping etc but when appetite come back you just have to eat much smaller portions and try to eat around 5 times a day with snacks if you can.Then its trial and error with foods to see what you can tolerate.There are lots of recipes out there to help but not always my cup of tea and I find I eat more or less what I use to but much smaller eg before op and new stomach could eat 8 sausages with everthing else but now struggle with two!!.I have a card from OPA when out that says please give me childrens portions because of my medical problem.

[DaveChuter]

Hi,

Roast beef is not out of the question in the near future, but in stages, blended, tenderised and well cooked,

Please speak to your dietictian for the best advice, aslo the OPA have a booklet available which will help.

From my experience in the 6 years from surgery, it was easier to list the things to miss out, like bread, salad, etc... all things chewy or doughy.

If it crumbles or melts in the mouth it is fine, this is my way of choosing what suits me.

The trick is small meals more often, I spread it out as 6 small meals per day with drinks in between rather than with meals. .

Hope this helps and best wishes.

Dave C

[Thorno]

I think it may depend on which type of OC one has and where - mine was very high up and resulted in a near total oesophagectomy but my eating two years later is pretty much back to normal, albeit with smaller portions. There are one or two things that I still can't tolerate and hot drinks with food is complete no-no but generally most things are ok though always followed by a brief period of stomach ache.

Peter

[Westoncromwell]

Hi,

I'm 14 months on and things are more or less back to normal although I have to reflect on the volumes I eat. For example, if I eat very lightly at lunch I could eat a three course meal in the evening, although my choice of starter and dessert would be small or light and not an oversize main course and no bread. I can eat anything but gassy drinks are a non starter so beer and coke are a luxury. Water and wine etc. is ok but in limited quantities.

I also note that I have developed a taste for cake, biscuits, clotted cream, full cream milk and

Chocolate.

The good news is that I don't seem to absorb fat so I can eat whatever I like and not put on weight . I take creon to make sure that I do absorb some essentials from the food though.

If I over eat the extra strong mints come out to combat indigestion. If I eat too many of the wrong things I will have the Imodium handy in case of need.

Best wishes

Brian

[Hidden]

If you ring our OPA helpline on 0121 704 9860, they will send you a recipe book.

The main issue is eating 'little and often'. The other thing is avoiding highly refined sugar in foods and other food that might create 'dumping syndrome' (see opa.org.uk/regional-shop/lo... )

Your taste buds might change for a while.

[Kiks]

Hi

At first after the op I tended to eat mushier food eg corned beef hash, thick soups and blended stews or bologneses but after about a month I was eating more or less everything as before but in smaller quantities. Some things can still be difficult eg grape skins and apple skin as they can stick. Crisps and crusty bread sometimes make me cough (but I can't resist them!).

My oesophagectomy was very high and I think it does make a difference depending on where it is.

I eat pretty much what I like these days but cut it up well and chew for a long time. As people have said beware of sweet things as that can cause dumping and sometimes creamy foods can cause hearburn.

If foods are beginning to get stuck (because soemtimes scar tissue tightens and I need a stretch) then the foods to be careful of are steak, chicken and bacon but I just cut them up finely and take my time.

I know your situation is different from mine, so not sure if what I have said will be much use to you. Hope everything goes well and that you are enjoying good food again in the not too distant future.

Krysia