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Nutrition after Gastrectomy

Eating a healthy diet can be hard for many people before treatment, and it can get even more challenging for survivors after undergoing a gastrectomy.  Most people cannot wait to feel better and begin to eat “normally” again, however, it is important to remember that there are many “normals” after undergoing a gastrectomy.

A registered dietitian can help suggest ways to eat and foods to choose in order to make the transition back to food smoother.  If available, please consult with a registered dietitian, as they can be a key player in assisting with weight maintenance and healing.
After a gastrectomy, it is not uncommon to experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and “dumping” after attempting to eat.  Dumping syndrome occurs after food enters your small intestine too quickly and is evidenced by diarrhea, fullness, abdominal cramping & grumbling, and possibly sweating, anxiety and nausea.
To encourage tolerance to foods and fluids after surgery, survivors should explore using these strategies:

  • Eat 5-6 small meals daily vs. 3 large meals.
  • Eat slowly and chew foods thoroughly.
  • Sit upright while eating and rest for ~15-20 minutes after each meal.  Do not lay flat while eating.
  • Limit the amount of fluid consumed during a meal to ~4 oz.  It is better to drink your fluids between meals, generally 30 minutes before or after a meal.
  • Avoid extremely hot or cold foods or liquids.  These may cause cramping.
  • Avoid raw vegetables and salads at first.  All vegetables should be well cooked to help digestion.  Stick to mild vegetables: squash, carrots, green beans, mushrooms.
  • Limit high sugar items: honey, syrup.  Dilute juices or avoid once you tolerate more items.
  • It’s ok to use a small amount of fat, but avoid high fat foods, like fried or processed items.
  • Try to eat foods high in protein, things like peanut butter & crackers, yogurt, etc.
  • Try dairy in small amounts first, if it causes diarrhea or cramping, switch to lactose-free products for better tolerance.
  • Slowly add more foods in small amounts.
  • Avoid alcohol and caffeine.