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How do I eat after digestive tract surgery?
Perhaps you have had surgery for chronic diverticulitis, cancer of the digestive tract, a Whipple procedure, bariatric surgery, or maybe even gallbladder surgery. Surgeries of the digestive tract typically alter the way our bodies process food as they change our digestive landscape. I discovered this after my second surgery on the upper digestive tract. After this surgery (and nearly a week in the hospital), well-meaning friends brought me food, which I certainly appreciated. However, the food they brought me were salads, fresh fruit and vegetables, cream-based soups, and casseroles. All of which made me feel terrible. It turned out my problems stemmed from what I was eating. So, what should I have been eating instead of these foods? It was a time of trial and error for me. I spent a lot of time finding which foods were “safe” and which foods were “triggers” and would cause digestive difficulties.
After major surgeries of the digestive tract, many hospital systems have a registered hospital dietitian meet with you before discharge and provide instructions on the best way to eat. This was not my experience. I did, however, request a referral to a dietitian several months after surgery.
Let's sit around the table and share our tips on the eating plan that worked best for you after your surgery and talk about the kinds of foods that were (and still are) the easiest to digest. We are all different in our responses to surgery, but we will undoubtedly find common ground.
I look forward to learning together. Share your ideas, recipes or cooking methods that have helped you.
Here are a few questions to get us started:
- If you have had a consultation with a dietitian, what did you learn?
- What foods did and didn't work for you?
- What about the quantity of food at each meal, as well as the timing of meals?
- Have your cooking methods changed?
- Do you still use spices the same way?
- Have you kept a food diary to track any foods that might be triggers for digestive difficulties?
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Thank you, @zacharycat
Another link for neuroendocrine diet tips-
https://neuroendocrine.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra13666/files/wysiwyg/Insulinoma%20Diet_NET2015.pdf
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2 Reactions@lindasq, you're quite right that one should talk to their doctor before trying home remedies. I see however that @zacharycat was advised to use corn starch by her endocrinologist.
Here is an article that explains how cornstarch may help with hypoglycemia, dangerously low level of glucose in your blood, and when it is not advised.
- Does Cornstarch Work to Prevent Hypoglycemia? https://www.healthline.com/health/cornstarch-for-hypoglycemia
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2 Reactions@lindasq, it is really hard to be your own case manager and advocate when you're ill. You've worked very hard these past years to get where you are finally seeing some improvement. It's a long and tiring road.
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1 ReactionHi Teresa,
Thank you for responding, What is a volunteer mentor?
This happened in Chicago. I was hospitalized 3/10/2023 at Strogers because insurance makes the ambulance take you to the nearest hospital and doesn’t allow a transfer to where you have doctors if that hospital offers the same level of care, Insanity, I was there for 2 weeks then transferred to a rehab where I saw a PT person for 45 min per day, even though I could not stand or walk without a walker and no do reviewed my records,
they basically got paid for warehousing people, I was released home. I had surgery 8/10/2023 at Rush. I still need to use a shower chair, and get upper back pain and SOB, needing to just put on a robe and rest before I can get dressed, It has been 2 years of hell, but I am slowly improving, I kept being given laxatives when I kept saying it felt like a motility problem, Finally got a recital manometry test ordered which was abnormal and was able to get the PT and motility meds, I just started the organic FODMAP diet for 1 week, It has really helped with bloating, distention and pain immediately, Pelvic floor PT and neck PT is also helping, I had a small hernia for years and peptic ulcer disease for 40 years with 3 episodes of nonheliobacter bleeding ulcers, treated w triple meds, I often questioned being on long term PPI, but kept being told it was safe, I found research from NPI saying it is not safe for long term use, risk for osteoporosis and dementia, I now have spinal degeneration and cervical stenosis, small fiber neuropathy, Pfizer was sued for lying to docs,, but the lack of nutritional training in medical schools is an abomination as far as I am concerned, How can they advise people about health if they are clueless about healthy lifestyle choices? Profits over people is the norm, No one ever tried to find out why I had recurring ulcers, just gave a bandaid pill, that I am sure caused malabsorption and malnutrition not to mention the serious changes to microbiome, I think this also made me more diet alone won’t treat SIBO, I am hoping my doc will prescribe without the breath test, I am waiting on a response, I hate being my own case manager, I wish I could just assume the patient role, but I have learned that can get you dead.
@lindasq
I am so sorry to hear of all of the delays you have experienced in diagnosis as well as treatments. I can understand your frustration. When did you finally have surgery?
I hope you provide an update as to the effectiveness of the new FODMAP diet. How long ago did you start the FODMAP eating plan?
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1 ReactionPlease don’t try this without talking to your doctor,
Using cornstarch with water multiple times a day to control blood sugar is not a safe or recommended medical treatment for the general public, including those with diabetes. It could cause dangerous blood sugar spikes and poses several other health risks.
The only medical context where uncooked cornstarch is deliberately used is for specific, rare metabolic conditions like glycogen storage disease (GSD), and this is done under strict medical supervision and with careful dosing.
How cornstarch affects blood sugar
Cornstarch is a highly refined carbohydrate with a high glycemic index, meaning it is quickly digested and causes a rapid and significant spike in blood glucose levels. This effect is particularly dangerous for individuals with diabetes, as it can be very difficult to manage.
Risks of using cornstarch for blood sugar control
High blood sugar spikes: Uncooked cornstarch is rapidly converted to glucose in the body, leading to an unwanted and potentially dangerous rise in blood sugar. This is the opposite of what is needed for stable blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
Poor nutrition: As a processed, refined carbohydrate, cornstarch offers virtually no nutritional value in the form of fiber, protein, vitamins, or minerals. Repeatedly consuming it throughout the day in place of nutritious foods can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Weight gain and metabolic issues: A diet high in refined carbohydrates like cornstarch can contribute to weight gain, increased triglycerides, and poor blood sugar control. This can worsen metabolic issues and increase the risk of heart disease.
Gastrointestinal problems: Consuming significant amounts of raw cornstarch can cause digestive issues like bloating, gas, and stomach upset.
Masking a medical condition: Self-treating with cornstarch can mask an underlying medical issue, especially in individuals prone to hypoglycemia. This delays proper diagnosis and medical treatment.
When is cornstarch medically used?
Uncooked cornstarch is a specialized treatment for certain rare, inherited metabolic disorders, such as glycogen storage disease (GSD).
How it works in GSD: People with GSD cannot properly break down glycogen for energy. Doses of uncooked cornstarch are given to provide a slow, steady release of glucose into the bloodstream, helping to prevent episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Strict supervision is essential: This therapy is only administered under the strict supervision of a medical specialist, like an endocrinologist. Dosage and timing are carefully calculated and managed to avoid complications like dangerously high blood sugar.
Consult a healthcare professional
It is critical to speak with a doctor or registered dietitian before attempting to use cornstarch or any other unproven method to manage your blood sugar. A healthcare professional can help you develop a safe and effective plan to manage your condition based on your specific health needs.
Mine has been a very complex case, I had covid 3/2020. It was probably the cause of diaphram/ligament weakening and reactivation of VZVm and hyoercoagubility, I went to the hospital . Hgb was 4.8, I had slow GI motility that was ignored, I had bilateral pulmonary PE, aortic thrombus, and .ct showed large hiatal hernia, my O2 was 87%. 2 days later the CT scan showed organoaxial volvulus stomach which should have been treated urgently, but I was never even told about it, It wasn’t until I saw the vascular surgeon for fup for the aortic thrombus thst he said you need surgery. It wasn’t until I still delayed to get and echo which tool another months so surgery was delayed for 5 months, transfusions had brought up my Hgb to 9.3, but iron transfusions were not started for 4 months and required 8 infusions over a year to normalize RDW. my glucose was high in the high in the hospital and I c/o memory issues, loss of basic math skills, word and name finding issues, but no head CT was done for a year showing an old R basal ganglion lacunar infarct, All of these things contributed to damage to the GI mucosal, and I now have enteric neuropathy and recently bleeding esophagus, gastritis, and duodenitis, Medicare does not pay for a dietician unless you have diabetes or kidney disease, After surgery, I was just told to eat a soft diet, Bad advice, Healthcare in America is very broken, I started reading, and it looked like an organic whole food plant based diet was best for healing endothelial tissue. I told my doc that I was trying that, No response, It wasn’t bad, but also wasn’t good, The damage to the gut and the med to lower the PH put me at risk for SIBO, I was supposed to get a breath test, but it was scheduled out full. I was told to call back, No one cared, I was having 3-4 loose stools daily w abd bloating distention and pain and no help, I c/o avout concerns of malabsorption and malnutrition given my hair, skin, and nail issues. It was like pulling teeth to get labs, I did need to supplement calcium, magnesium, and Vit D, I am still waiting for SIBO treatment so I have started an organic FODMAP is it has helped with bloating . I am taking Voquezna for the bleeding esophagus, procalapride for motility, and linzess for constipation, I feel like our health care system is like dealing with a withholding, negligent, abusive parent, It is all you have but it really sucks, I have gotten more information just asking google, Any oxy have any good ideas?
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2 ReactionsWhat a great tip for maintaining your glucose levels, @zacharycat. Did your endocrinologist explain why that works?
My endocrinologist prescribed corn starch taken with liquid three times per day to maintain blood sugar levels. Seems to help, last night before bedtime mixed a tablespoon with a drink and made it through the night without any low glucose alerts.
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