Debulking surgery

[Eriksendi]

I had my debulking surgery 2 weeks ago today. Initially I did very well after the long op and also had acbowel resection at the same time in preparation for a stoma reversal. I am having real problems eating as I feel constantly full. Did anyone else have this problem and when did it start to resolve?

[Tesla_7US]

Eriksendi, Depending on how much of your colon/bowel they removed, you may not be able to eat meals the size you ate before. You've literally had your "capacity" reduced. I found that I cannot eat a large meal in one sitting as the discomfort becomes immediate, requiring multiple trips to the toilet to "unload" to make space for the new meal. Not a bad thing, really. I'm not gaining weight, that's for sure!

[Peg8080]

Yes, I had an extensive debulking surgery. It was on July 11th. I have never gotten my appetite back completely. I am on chemo now too so that may have something to do with it. It does get better though. I really could hardly look at food for some time. Hang in there. It just took time for me. 😊 Peg8080

[eileen_alberti]

I had the debulking but not the acbowel resection. I came away with a very hard pain just below the sternum and couldn't eat more than 3 tbs. for 52 days. After I did eat, I wished I didn't. During that time I started chemo. I think it was the second week and had my prednisone prior. The next day I woke up and thought I could eat the house out. I didn't lose more than 5 lbs. so must have been getting enough. In that entire time and since had debilitating constipation. Had my surg. Jan 3, 2017 and am still chasing the constipation route, and now in the past 2 months, urinary retention. So in the past month, it's not a battle anymore, it's a war. Got in touch with the big guns. Whatever this is, I want to know. Then I can deal with it. Anyone that has ANY INPUT, I want it.

On the brighter side, I'm now down 20 lbs. and am thrift shopping new [to me] clothes. I put on a blouse and slacks and my sister said "You should wear the he-- out of that outfit because you look really good." I have and decided to get more 'look really good' outfits and am now shopping for sets instead of just single items. I have to quit now tho because I'm out of hangers. I plan to get in that closet and purge so more hangers will become available. And so on it goes, good times and bad.

So my words to you are, "Become one with the TV, read all the books you hoped to, sit and stare", catch up with people, whatever works for the moment. And I mean the moment. Many days I couldn't think very much, but I found all of you. So wishing you many blessings, Eileen