Gastrectomy and issues afterward

Posted by freeflow @freeflow, Dec 3, 2018

Looking for some advice and tips
I am 6 months out of TG which has seemingly gone very well on the recovery angle. Recently since a change in my medication (for fibromyalgia) I have started suffering from insomnia. I believe after doing some research that I have an increased bile production and bile reflux which is causing some problems. The main one is where I start to eat, can’t eat, literally and figuratively and then my intestines start to act as though something is fermenting in there, bubbling, gurgling getting bloated, this in turn leads to an increase of ‘smelly wind’. It is very similar to dumping syndrome but without the having to run to the toilet. Doctor is working on the problem but not fast enough Lol. Anyone got recommendations for remedies? Natural remedies like teas etc, any advice would be welcome.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

cyberkitty | @cyberkitty | Jan 30, 2024

In reply to @loispags "Go to facebook. CDH1 gene mutation group and other cdh1 Groups. Do you have a mutation..." + (show)

I honestly don’t know if I have been tested for that. I don’t have stomach cancer and they sent my DNA to be analysed. I will definitely ask at my next doctor’s appointment.
Thank you!

rm51 | @rm51 | Mar 6 11:45am

My dear friend had gastrectomy 4 months ago, and he has a difficulty in eating. A lot of food he is allowed to eat make him sick. We would like to hear from you about your experience and advice.

Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Mar 7 3:57pm

In reply to @rm51 "My dear friend had gastrectomy 4 months ago, and he has a difficulty in eating. A..." + (show)

Hi @rm51 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are kind and thoughtful to help your friend work through eating difficulties post-gastrectomy. I assume your comment is meant for @freeflow to get an update and advice after creating this discussion about Gastrectomy and issues afterward.

You may be interested to review conversation others are having on another Connect Digestive Health Support Group Discussion:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-i-eat-after-digestive-tract-surgery/
It may help others know how to comment for you to share a bit about your friends situation. What was the reason he had a gastrectomy, and was it a total or partial procedure?

rm51 | @rm51 | Mar 8 12:37pm

In reply to @jlharsh "Hi @rm51 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are kind and thoughtful to help your..." + (show)

@jlharsh

Hi Janell, it was more than 10 years ago since i logged on mayo connect the last time. How to do things changed and thank you for your suggestion.

The background is that he had TG in October 2025 (5 months ago). The problem started when he had stomachache on and off, and the cause was unknown until he was taken to A&E in Jan 25, when they discovered a hole and a lump in the stomach. The hospital suggested that the hole was created due to an extended use of aspirin for his heart issue. Then, the biopsy came back with cancer diagnosis with no spread. He had a course of chemo until July 25 and immunotherapy until September 25. Then he had to choose either continuing chemo for the rest of his life or TG, because the lump was right in the middle of stomach. So unlucky that it was located in the middle, so it had to be TG.

Hospital advised the new diet, which he is following to the letter. The problem is that a lot of food he is allowed to eat makes him ill. I perused the mayo connect and found that someone suggested in some discussion to log what he ate, how he prepared the food and how much he ate to identify the trigger. I thought that was brilliant and told him to start that. That is as far as we got.

We would appreciate to hear the experience of other patients and hopefully suggestions.

Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Mar 8 7:41pm

In reply to @rm51 "@jlharsh Hi Janell, it was more than 10 years ago since i logged on mayo connect..." + (show)

@rm51 What a great idea, a food log of what and how much your friend eats. Hopefully, this will identify why he is feeling ill after eating.

I am tagging @pain3relief and @dusty73 who have experienced Total Gastrectomies (TG) and may have thoughts from their experience.

Also, here is another Connect discussion you may find helpful since your friend had his entire stomach removed because of cancer:
- Total Gastrectomy for stomach cancer: What can I expect?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/total-gastrectomy/

pain3relief | @pain3relief | Mar 8 11:54pm

I had my stomach removed because of a bad bleed and ulcer. I don’t have trouble with any food as long I eat very slowly and chew my foods very well. I don’t have an appetite ever and your food goes cold.
You have to have lots of small meals or snacks.