How do I eat after digestive tract surgery?

Things do get better, I had hit 106 lbs, scared me as I was losing 4 lbs every two weeks (and I looked like a skeleton - well, a very thin person) this went on for about 2 months and I felt I was eating pretty well. This was after Folfirinox and Whipple. Before all this happened, my usual weight was 126.
So now after finishing chemo last month (Whipple was 7 months ago), I am up to 116…and even thinking that if/when I get to 120, I will cut back on the frequent meals/ snacks, as I feel more energetic now that I weigh less than I used to. A different point of view for sure since focusing on weigh gain - my mantra was eat! And eat some more! - for most of 2025.

@katieliz

I appreciate you sharing your experience! It does get better. Were there any particular foods that helped you with your weight gain?

@hopeful33250
I think what has helped the most is just eating frequently, 5-6 times/day. I was very aware I needed protein (which everything I read said). I tried to always have nutritious snacks in between meals ready to go - fruit smoothies made with protein powder and Greek yogurt; hard-cooked eggs; cottage cheese (with added fruit). I start each day with a good breakfast, I alternate between 2 fried eggs (or scrambled, with cheese), and toast; steel cut oatmeal made with coconut milk, (added chia, hemp hearts, flaxseed, something I’ve always done); or cold cereal with oatmilk (more fattening than other milks).
It was so hard to even want to eat or eat enough when I was getting chemo (just had no appetite - Folfirinox really knocked me), nothing sounded good, but I just keep trying, and then my last 4 cycles they reduced the dosage of Folfirinox (so I could keep going, and raise my platelet count), and this helped. Have to eat smaller meals so my pancreas can digest food okay, so in-between snacks are important.
And when I first started and was really losing weight my oncologist told me very emphatically that I needed to ‘eat like it’s your job’! Then a friend (who is a radiology oncologist) said ‘food is your medicine, take it like medicine’. Both of these helped me to focus.
Hope this helps!

Same experience here with dietician giving printouts which I could have done myself.
The food they put on my plate also went against the instructions. What ??? I learned the hard way by getting 2 small bowel obstructions and sepsis. Very sick. I have found due to my anastomosis stricture I can only have liquids mostly but can try very mushy foods eg mashed potatoes and yes very, very small portions several times a day. Not 3 meals a day.A bite here,bite there and the foods must be under the easy to digest column. Therefore amount and kinds of food extremely important. The only thing I cant understand is I thought food was practically liquid by the time it go to large intestines so how is it backing up ? Anyone ?

@katieliz
Yes, eating small, frequent meals is vital after digestive tract surgery! I really like the phrases, "eat like it’s your job" and "food is your medicine, take it like medicine." This is so true!

Prior to surgery, eating and appetite came naturally. After the surgeries, however, I had to remind myself to eat. A whole different way of thinking about a fundamental activity that we take for granted.

@musicjewishcarp2008
That is an interesting question. Perhaps it has something to do with the work our digestive tract has to do in order to convert the food into liquid. This is just a guess; I'm far from an expert on these matters.

@hopeful33250 Yes, definitely! I was really a foodie before, and I always enjoyed cooking. But I am thankful to be where I am, and I can adjust. Things could be worse, lol. Got through the Whipple, and 12 rounds of Folfirinox in 2025. I am ready for 2026 - birth of my first grandchild in about 4 weeks; and my first published book to come out in 2027. Have a lot to look forward to!

@hopeful33250 Yes, in between snacks and meals, I was looking for a little snack, maybe partially due to having a limited diet and needing something ‘flavorful’. It was jelly beans at first, just 1-2 at a time, maybe 8-10/ day, These became too sweet though (tastes keep changing!), and I tried small bites of dark chocolate, this was okay. Just now over the holidays, I got hooked on something else - red/cinnamon and green/spearmint spice drops! Loved these, and still eating some every day, but it only takes 1-2 at a time and I’m good. Although now that the holidays are over, I’ve ordered these off Amazon, they’re not in the stores anymore. The spiced flavor really helps so they are not too sweet. But I know they are pretty much all sugar, maybe I’ll get tired of these soon!

@katieliz You know, I've found that my snack preferences change, too. Sometimes I crave mint; other times, something salty or sweet, but it doesn't stay the same for very long.

@hopeful33250 So funny to me how at one time something sounds great and I like it and will eat it, but this changes and a few days later I suddenly cannot even think of eating it! Has something to do with our brain/taste buds/ memory of what something’s supposed to or previously has tasted like.
As long as I can find something that appeals to me, whether it’s for a snack, or slightly bigger meal, I’m ok! Eating and meal planning has flipped 180 degrees, but it could be worse. I read someone’s advice to try things you may have not liked before, and so have done this with some success!
I wonder how much my hubby’s head is spinning due to these changes this past year. I do 100% of our meals from shopping to preparing, etc., because of the two of us I’m the one who has cared more about what we eat.
He doesn't say much and I commend him for this - like most men, he’s a man of few words😄.Obviously he’s just happy that he can find some food if he goes searching!