Does anyone experience issues with fat absorption post surgery?

[kp11]

Six months post surgery. Some digestive issues. Colicky type abdominal discomfort & urgency to go to toilet. I was wondering if this was to do with poorer ability to absorb fats? Anyone have any experience?

Regards

Karen

[Mauser1905]

Hello Karen,

Welcome to the OPA forum. Hope you are managing well as you are still very early days after the surgery. Please take a look at the OPA website link as below.

What you are experiencing is Dumping Syndrome, specifically Dirrahea DS. this is a default symptom of DS for majority of the survivors.

There are multiple triggers for this instant urgency to go to toilet, like gluten intolerance, glucose intolerance, excess fat in the food, deep fried foods etc, daily intolerance, excessive strain on the bowels and stomach due to physical activity etc.

Intolerances are developed post surgery, are subjective and often can surprise with non-reliable tendency of persistent symptoms.

Fat breaking up is helped with prescription of Creon medicines, which is basically pancreatic enzymes which helps break down the fatty foods.

opa.org.uk/downloads.html

look for this title download "Dietary advice for patients experiencing dumping syndrome after oesophago-gastric surgery"

opa.org.uk/factsheets.html

In addition welcome to use the Search function on this forum to read first hand experiences of forum users on this topic.

[kp11 in reply to Mauser1905]

Thank you Mauser1905 for your welcome & response. Have had a look at the OPA downloads as you suggested & found them very helpful

😊

Karen

[Popsic]

Hi,

I am 7yrs post op and the hospital have had and still have problems getting my bowels under control, I have to take Creon everytime I eat. If I don't take them I'm in agony after food, I also have to take, mebeverine for cramps, and Loperamide, but those in themselves cause issues, I am also on erythromycin daily as I have slow gastric emptying, I am allergic to metaclopamide and domperidone, hence the antibiotics. To be honest you just learn to adjust to your new plumbing and it all becomes "the norm"

[kp11 in reply to Popsic]

Thank you Popsic - yeah I’m getting used to ‘new normal’ (whatever ‘normal‘ is 🙄) I’ll mention it to GI nurse when I speak to her next. The GI team are happy with my healing etc 👍

[Popsic in reply to kp11]

That's good news, it is a learning curve albeit a bumpy one. Good luck with your healing, stay positive x

[Animalmadwoman in reply to Popsic]

Hi Popsic, does the creon have any side effects? My husband is 18 months post op & was initially doing ok. He now has gut pain after tiny meals which then usually results in diarrhoea . He has lost quite a lot of weight & I’m now wondering about absorption.All his recent follow up appts with consultant are on the phone & we just seem to be going around in circles!

He is getting very depressed as he feels he can’t go out for meals for fear of related problems in public!

[Popsic in reply to Animalmadwoman]

Hi there animalmadwoman ( love the name BTW)

I've not had any side effects from Creon, my oncologist nurse said it's safe to take with any other meds and they havnt know of any side effects. If I don't take them I get terrible pain after food, also the urgency for the loo! Because of our new plumbing, our bodies don't absorb ( at least this is what they told me). The Creon helps to absorb the nutrients in our food, I'm also on calcium and vitamin D, its worth chatting with your oncologist nurse or your consultant about it. Can't hurt😉 keep us updated if you would x

[Animalmadwoman in reply to Popsic]

Thank you for your very speedy reply! He has a video appt with consultant in October, but I may contact specialist nurse before then. I will certainly keep you updated. He was doing much better a few months ago & was a stone heavier, so I would like to see him gain a bit of weight. He’s had a rough journey & spent 6 months in ICU because of complications after this huge op! The mere fact he’s still here is amazing as we were told he wouldn’t survive . So I remain positive& am so grateful for people like yourself that can help with advice!

Yes, we have lots of animals, hence the name!

[Popsic in reply to Animalmadwoman]

It is a very long journey, I caught pneumonia 2 days after my op so I can sympathise with you.

I always turn to my nurse when I need help, their fantastic. I have the opposite problem to your hubby, I can't lose the weight! I've tried everything, I've gained a stone and a half, mostly after I got married for the second time 3 yrs ago this month 😊

I am a Christian and I believe were all here for one reason or another, it's good to be positive, really does help.

I lost my brother 3 weeks ago to this terrible disease, he had bladder cancer, I just wish a cure could be found.

Good luck with your consultant and nurse, x

[Mauser1905]

1. Suggest all to ask your GP for prescription of Forceval tablets. This is multivitmin and minerals supplement considered good for oesophagectomy survivors.

2. Creon is must for most of the compromised pancreatic functions (aka stomach cramps/diarrhea after meals). Creon requires to be take prior to the meal and thereafter in between the meal, dosage depending upon your fat/heavy content of the meal. You cant overdose on it and doesn't have side effects, at least known at the time of writing.

Also drinking citric acidic water helps with Creon for breaking up the fats and charge up the enzyme functions.

Strictly no drinking water/others during the meals, 30 min before, during or 30 minutes after. Except tiny sips for swallowing Creon. Because now the stomach capacity is much smaller than pre-surgery and also the location of the stomach in diaphragm and chest cavity doesn't allow the stomach to expand (as it would in abdomen area pre-surgery)

There isnt a medical alternative for Creon, its made from pigs pancreas.