How do I eat after digestive tract surgery?

@azsunshine7 some people add the protein high calorie drinks, which can have added nutrients…personally hated them… smoothies are another way to eat while in recovery…each person finds what they like as well as tolerate well….it can’t be overemphasized that it’s important to limit highly processed foods… avoid bacon, salami etc….my system doesn’t do well with red meat…i got some useful info from better websites like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland clinic, MSK, any major cancer center as well.

I wish I knew more of the symptoms you face other than feeling bad. Are you anemic perhaps? Are iron, magnesium, calcium and more at normal levels? The last 18” of my terminal ileum was removed in ‘93 due to Crohn’s. This hardly absorb A, D, K & most of all B-12. So Dr. let’s me self-inject B-12 2x per month. Goes right to target instead of trying to be absorbed by missing ileum. My GB removed. All such surgery results in scaring and perhaps narrowing digestive tract which along w/ CD damage resulting in episodic severing cramping. Finally figured out that was caused by my diet. Too figured. I cut out all fruit, veggies, (even canned) nuts, fries, yes bananas, pulpy products, In-In-Out Burgers, fast food generally, That leaves meat, fish, poultry, eggs and a lot of processed junk Twenty plus years now but maybe 4-5 cramping episodes. It’s a mechanical matter. Ping pong ball no fit down garden hose. Hey, why do so many GI doctors - after a first visit - want to get you on the cutting board?

@hopeseeker22 highly processed foods are very hard on digestive system, especially after surgery ! Wishing you healing !

THANKSGIVING EATING TIPS

With Thanksgiving upon us, those with Exocrine Pancreas Insufficiency (EPI) can take a few measures to prevent discomfort when eating large meals. There will be many ingredients that can challenge one’s digestive tract. Meals containing lots of fats, sugar, protein, carbohydrates, high-fiber vegetables and beans composed of complex carbohydrates called oligosaccharides will be encountered.

To enjoy the Thanksgiving meal, I have found the following tips helpful:

Don’t skimp on taking extra capsules of pancrealipase (Creon, Zenpep, etc).

Take small portions of items and a pancrealipase at the start.

Eat slowly and chew all ingredients thoroughly.

Take an extra capsule for items of higher fat content and stagger taking additional capsules throughout the meal. Each time you refill your plate, take another capsule.

Take a pause before going back for extra helpings. Spread out the servings and avoid overeating.

By slowing down my ingestion, smaller meal portions spread out over time and taking an ample amount of pancrealipase has been very effective for me without any digestive discomfort during and after Thanksgiving. I generally take 6-10 capsules of Creon throughout the Thanksgiving meal with satisfactory results.

Vegetables such as corn, peas, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, beans, etc., are composed of oligosaccharides. They require the enzyme alpha-d-galactosidase to be digested. This enzyme is not blended into any Rx or OTC pancrealipase capsule. It is available as the OTC product Beano. Taking a capsule of Beano with vegetables and beans will digest food items without the formation of gas, bloating or cramping.

Should gas and bloating form after the meal, simethicone-based OTC medications Phazyme and Gas-X will break up pockets of gas making it easier to expel.

To help in optimizing the dosage of capsules needed based on quantity and ingredients, there is an online dosing calculator at pertcalculator.org

THANKSGIVING EATING TIPS

With Thanksgiving upon us, those with Exocrine Pancreas Insufficiency (EPI) can take a few measures to prevent discomfort when eating large meals. There will be many ingredients that can challenge one’s digestive tract. Meals containing lots of fats, sugar, protein, carbohydrates, high-fiber vegetables and beans composed of complex carbohydrates called oligosaccharides will be encountered.

To enjoy the Thanksgiving meal, I have found the following tips helpful:

Don’t skimp on taking extra capsules of pancrealipase (Creon, Zenpep, etc).

Take small portions of items and a pancrealipase at the start.

Eat slowly and chew all ingredients thoroughly.

Take an extra capsule for items of higher fat content and stagger taking additional capsules throughout the meal. Each time you refill your plate, take another capsule.

Take a pause before going back for extra helpings. Spread out the servings and avoid overeating.

By slowing down my ingestion, smaller meal portions spread out over time and taking an ample amount of pancrealipase has been very effective for me without any digestive discomfort during and after Thanksgiving. I generally take 6-10 capsules of Creon throughout the Thanksgiving meal with satisfactory results.

Vegetables such as corn, peas, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, beans, etc., are composed of oligosaccharides. They require the enzyme alpha-d-galactosidase to be digested. This enzyme is not blended into any Rx or OTC pancrealipase capsule. It is available as the OTC product Beano. Taking a capsule of Beano with vegetables and beans will digest food items without the formation of gas, bloating or cramping.

Should gas and bloating form after the meal, simethicone-based OTC medications Phazyme and Gas-X will break up pockets of gas making it easier to expel.

To help in optimizing the dosage of capsules needed based on quantity and ingredients, there is an online dosing calculator at pertcalculator.org