Ileostomy Complications and Dietary Struggles After Gastrectomy

Hi everyone,

My boyfriend had a partial gastrectomy on the 8th of December and was recovering very well until the 29th when we had massive internal bleeding. He had another emergency surgery and the doctors had to do an ileostomy to save his organs. It might be reversed in some munths, but so far he had very many problems with the digestion.

After the very first surgery he could eat almost anything without any problem. But since the ileostomy, he has pain in the bowel area about 30 minutes after eating. He can tolerate soup quite well, but  he has problems even with soft things like boiled potatoes or very soft bread with sauce. He started eating again only 4 weeks ago, but he is already very depressed and doesn't want to eat anymore.

Do you have any suggestions? Will it get better?

I appreciate any reply and help.

Thank you very much,

Anca

hello

i hope your boyfriend is getting better

it's important that he gets nutrition-soft cooked like chicken/soups are good/eggs are like miracle food and can be made so many ways

also smoothies/protein drinks/gatorade

it takes awhile to find a diet that works for your body

i found this a very hard transition/its easy to get down

i also try to stay away from any food that might clog up the system/say hard bread/some meats/dried fruits

stay well

I weoke up to the lower stomach and 1/2 the pancreas gone along with tumors , part of small intestine and all the large intestine gone -- I can really relate.... The food has to be very soft and in small amount and I mean small for like 3 months before you heal enough to even tolerate it-- I was told to eat a few spoonfuls every hour or two until I could tolerate food -- it comes in time 

That being said, there could be other issues - mine is from FAP.  I wish him well -- I found at 6 weeks, and 6months I had noticeable changes and now at 2 yrs it is amazing - nothing like before but in some ways better!!

No matter what the doctor says you cannot go back to your old diet.  He has to adjust for awhile.  Good site for information is "TheAmericanOstomyClub.com. soft food for a few months. Slowly reintroduce more solid food later.