Gastrectomy Diet

If the doctor detects signs of stomach tumor or stomach cancer, or if there is a bleeding ulcer in the stomach, then the surgery that is carried out is called gastrectomy. In this surgery, either a part, or the whole of your stomach is removed. After the surgery, however the person might undergo certain problems such as internal bleeding or infection. The lungs of the person are at risk as blood might clot and block the air passage in the lungs, thus making it difficult for the person to breathe. But despite these side effects, the surgery is needed because either the cancer might spread or the ulcer might make you bleed to death. Since some part of your stomach has been removed, the person needs to maintain a strict post gastrectomy diet. What the diet should contain and what it should not contain, is all mentioned here.

Foods to Take and Foods to Avoid

Due to the gastrectomy surgery, a part or almost the whole of the stomach of the person has been removed. So, they cannot have a normal meal like the rest, since the stomach does not have the capacity to hold more food. These people need to maintain a strict diet in order to prevent any problems like dumping syndrome. This occurs if the person takes in large amount of food or sugar, then that is dumped into the small intestine. This causes cramps, or pain in the stomach and the person even has nauseating feeling and suffers from diarrhea. To prevent these problems, a strict diet needs to be followed.

Foods to Have
Here is a list of foods that the person who has had a gastrectomy surgery needs to have. Whatever you eat, you need to have it in small amount. Eat at least 6 to 8 meals per day. Chew slowly and do not overeat. You can eat:

• Peanut butter or eggs. They have high amount of protein in them, hence, they are very healthy for people who have had the surgery. They prevent diarrhea and they help the person to heal fast.
• You can even include meat, fish or cottage cheese in your diet. They too have high protein content and thus it takes time to digest them.
• Have grains which are low in fiber. You can have white flour or any type of refined grain.
• Include milk, yogurts and cream. You can also take lactose free milk. They are great for diet after gastrectomy.
• Rice, pasta, or maybe muffins and crackers can also be included in the diet.
• Potatoes, cereals, rolls, of at least 5 to 12 servings is very useful.
• There is nothing as healthy as vegetables. They improve the health of the patient and helps in quick recovery.
• Fruits can also be included in the total and partial diet. If you go for canned fruits, or fruit juices, then it should not be sweet as it can lead to dumping syndrome.
• For breakfast, you can have an egg, a small banana, a slice of toast and a small cup of milk. Later you can have some cheese and crackers.
• Maybe for lunch, you can include in the diet a small bun, or some unsweetened fruit juices.
• Later, before dinner you can have some crackers with small amount of peanut butter.
• For dinner, you may try out chicken, and potatoes or some vegetables.
• Again you can have a snack containing of maybe a sandwich.
• Also drink lots of water, but not along with your meal.

Foods to be Avoided
Mainly those food which are rich in fats and sugar, are meant to be avoided. Otherwise some problems might arise. Let us see which are those food that the person should not include in their partial and total diet.

• Alcohol, should be avoided totally. Eliminate it from the diet completely.
• Caffeine should also not be taken and also beverages with sugar or anything sweet. That means, aerated drinks should also be excluded.
• Sweets and spicy food should not be taken in at all.
• Dried fruits should also be avoided and so should all vegetables and fruits which contain high quantity of sugar.
• You also have to exclude ice creams and any type of sweet desserts from the diet.
• Also, make sure that when you have your meal, it should be dry, i.e., you should not take water while you are eating.

If you follow the above guidelines, then you will not have to worry about facing any bad side effects after the surgery. If the doctor asks you to follow any different diet, then do follow that healthy diet. Eat healthy, and chew your food well. Follow these tips and lead a healthy life.