Rehabilitation after stomach cancer

Malignant tumors are a serious disease, so recovery from stomach cancer can be very long. Rehabilitation after stomach cancer includes a lot of items that must be completed. The body will be able to fully recover only if all the rules and conditions are observed. In addition, a healthy lifestyle and full compliance with the rules of recovery after gastric cancer and rehabilitation are necessary. .

IV fluids and drainage

After the operation, the patient is installed a number of catheters that have different purposes. Usually installed:

• Drainage. It should be near the postoperative wound. It promotes the removal of excess blood and other fluids directly from the wound itself;
• Nasogastric tube. It is a small tube that is inserted through the nasal cavity directly into the stomach. It is necessary in order to remove the contents of the stomach, thereby reducing nausea;
• A catheter for the introduction of substances intravenously. They are used for blood transfusions and for administering fluids and nutrients until the patient is able to feed on their own;
• Bladder cystostomy. This is a small tube that is needed to remove urine from the bladder;
• If during the operation not only the stomach was removed, but also part of the esophagus, then a drainage tube is installed in the chest.

In addition, immediately after the operation, the patient may be put on a cuff, which is necessary to measure blood pressure. Also, a small clip is installed on one of the fingers of the hand, which allows you to accurately measure the pulse, as well as the amount of oxygen in the blood. Often, patients may be wearing an oxygen mask.

In the first hours after waking up from anesthesia, doctors often measure the patient's blood pressure, as well as the amount of urine that is excreted. This helps to determine how much fluid is in the body, thereby indicating dehydration or, conversely, excess fluid.

Painkillers

Immediately after the operation, the medical staff installs special pumps to the inserted internal catheter, which allow you to control the amount of pain medication that enters the body. Often these pumps are manual and not automated. In this case, nurses must show the patient the exact mechanism of their work.

The patient can inject himself with an additional dose of painkiller at any time by pressing a special button. It should be borne in mind that this system is configured in such a way that it is impossible to exceed the maximum level of the drug that causes an overdose. If the pain becomes stronger each time, and the amount of painkiller does not help, then you need to ask the doctor about taking the dose of the medicine.

Not infrequently, in most medical institutions, during the first days after the operation, the patient is given epidural anesthesia, which in most cases relieves pain better than when administered through a catheter. In this procedure, a small and very thin tube (needle) is inserted into the back of the patient, which is connected to a pump that provides a constant supply of the drug to the human body. With this method of anesthesia, the patient is forbidden to move and lie on his back.

After 7 days, pain begins to decrease and the amount of pain medication can be reduced. If the pain persists, then you can ask not to stop the supply of the drug. If the pain occurs after some time, then you must immediately inform the medical staff and directly to the doctor. He must conduct a complete examination, as well as select the type and amount of pain medication that is suitable for an individual patient.

Intake of liquids and food

After the operation, the normal activity of the gastrointestinal tract stops, which is why the patient is forbidden to eat and drink until it is brought back to normal.

The resumption of food and water intake occurs only 7 days after the operation. At the same time, initially the doctor must conduct an X-ray examination, which will allow finding inconsistencies in the surgical connection of the stomach and intestines. Before it is carried out, the patient is given to drink a special dye, which can be easily seen on the x-ray. This allows you to check for leaks in their intestinal walls.

Initially, the patient can only eat intravenously. This is possible thanks to the central catheter, which is installed in a large vein located in the chest. Food and liquid intake is carried out in this way until the doctor allows the patient to eat on his own.

Also, in some cases, doctors inject liquid food directly into the stomach itself. Another way is to feed liquid food through a tube that goes through the nasal cavity directly into the intestines.

If the patient has undergone surgery to remove stomach cancer, especially during which it was completely removed, then the return to self-feeding should be done very slowly, carefully and under the strict supervision of the medical staff.

Initially, the patient is given a small amount of pure water, which he must drink in small sips. If a given volume of liquid drunk was transferred without any consequences, then the amount of water gradually increases. Gradually, a transition is made to a different type of liquid. These include low-fat milk, weak tea or broth. If fluid intake is not accompanied by nausea and vomiting, then the medical staff removes part of the catheters.

Features of nutrition after surgery

Most operations that are associated with stomach cancer lead to its partial or complete removal. Due to the lack of a stomach, food reaches the intestines faster, which often leads to discomfort. The patient may experience:

• severity;
• Weakness;
• Dizziness;
• excessive sweating;
• Cardiopalmus;
• Bloating
• Drowsiness.

In order to reduce symptoms or avoid them completely, the patient must follow the following rules:

• Watch your diet, consume plenty of vitamins and minerals. Eating should be carried out at least 6 times a day in small portions;
• Limit the amount of foods consisting of carbohydrates that are quickly absorbed;
• If the stomach is removed completely, then it is necessary to ensure that the volume of liquid taken at a time does not exceed 200 ml;
• It is necessary to consume enough foods containing animal proteins, including lean chicken meat, fish, cottage cheese;
• Limit or completely exclude from the diet foods that contain more chemical additives, as this can irritate the intestinal mucosa and lead to disturbances in its work;
• It is necessary to completely exclude products that can cause constipation;
• The patient should avoid too hot or cold foods, as they can irritate the intestinal mucosa;
• When compiling a diet, it must be taken into account that it must be balanced and not contain foods and vegetables that can cause fermentation processes and lead to bloating. Also, for the first few months, you should refrain from taking whole milk and sweets;
• When you include a new product in your diet, you need to eat a small piece and wait about half an hour. If during this time the patient does not experience discomfort, including pain, bloating and nausea, then this product can be gradually introduced into the usual diet in small portions;
• After the operation, you need to take drugs that help restore the intestinal microflora. They should be selected by the doctor individually for each patient;
• After this operation, it is required to completely exclude alcoholic and carbonated drinks.

Compliance with all these rules contributes to a speedy recovery, as well as the elimination of most unpleasant consequences. Nutrition for stomach cancer after surgery should take into account the individual characteristics of the body, including the presence of allergic reactions.

Wound after surgery

After the operation is completed, the wound is closed with a sterile bandage, which should be on it for several days. After this period of time, the dressing is changed and the wound itself is cleaned. The drainage should be in it until all secretions, including fluid and pus, cease to come out of it. If it is connected to a vial, then the drainage should be changed daily.

If there are no complications, then the tube can be removed within 3 to 7 days after the operation. However, sutures and surgical clips are removed only on the 10th day.

Physical activity

After the operation, especially in the first days, it is not recommended to move, as this will cause severe pain. It should be borne in mind that the patient should begin to move gradually, without making sudden movements. Every day after the operation, the patient, under the supervision of a physiotherapist, must perform a series of breathing exercises, as well as exercises aimed at training the lower body. 1-2 days after surgery, the patient should begin to sit down and get out of bed, while following all the recommendations of the doctor.

After some time, the patient is completely free of postoperative tubes, vials and bags, which will help him move more freely and perform more varied exercises. However, in the early days, medical staff should tell the patient in detail how to handle the catheter and drainage tubes so that he can move independently without harming himself.

Improvement of the postoperative condition

A few days after the operation, the patient will be able to move independently, while the general condition of the body will only improve. Meals will need to start small and gradually increase the portion. Initially, it is worth completely abandoning three meals a day in favor of multiple meals, but in fairly small portions. The transition to the usual diet and diet in most patients can be delayed for several months. During the entire recovery period, the patient should be consulted by a dietitian who will help to make the right diet. Most nutritionists advise their patients to take a number of vitamins as well as iron-rich foods.

If during the operation the stomach or a significant part of it was removed, then vitamin B12 is injected through the catheter into the patient. Since the patient will no longer be able to get this vitamin from food, he will need to inject it into the body each time with the help of injections.

Very often, after this operation, a person is able to return to the normal course of life. For this, it is necessary to strictly observe all the prescriptions of doctors, especially in the first months.

For a person who has undergone such an operation, doctors recommend taking leisurely walks, as well as doing household chores that do not require the use of physical force. At the same time, it is worth remembering that it is forbidden to overwork during the entire rehabilitation course, since the body remains dehydrated and incapable of performing the previous physical labor. Heavy lifting, as well as some activities, can cause a postoperative hernia, which may require another surgical intervention to remove. That is why most doctors recommend limiting physical activity for 6 months, but not reducing it to zero.

After discharge, each patient should carefully monitor their diet. It is especially important to avoid constipation and ensure that the bowels are completely emptied. This is very important in the first few months after the operation. If the patient is constipated, then the pressure on the abdominal cavity will increase significantly, which can contribute to the appearance of a hernia. In addition, increased pressure can lead to a number of inflammatory processes in the esophagus.

That is why, immediately after discharge, the patient should consult with a specialist and select products that will not cause constipation. In addition, the doctor will help you choose the right medicines that will help get rid of it.

Restrictions after surgery

The postoperative period carries a number of restrictions for the patient. The most common of them are:

• Exclusion of physiotherapy;
• Restriction or complete exclusion of a solarium, as well as getting a tan when sunbathing;
• Limiting the settlement of baths, saunas and other premises that contribute to heat stress. These procedures unnecessarily load the heart, blood vessels and the whole body, weakened after surgery.

It should be borne in mind that non-compliance with the rules of postoperative recovery can provoke the return of the disease, as well as the appearance of metastases and relapse.

If a woman who has undergone surgery to remove stomach cancer wants to become pregnant in the future, then she will definitely need to consult a gynecologist and oncologist about this. This is due to the fact that the restructuring of the hormonal background during pregnancy can provoke the disease to re-disease. The main danger here is that during pregnancy, most cancerous tumors develop faster and are more aggressive than before. That is why most doctors do not recommend planning a pregnancy during the first 3-5 years after getting rid of the disease.

With a successful outcome of the operation and the complete removal of cancerous growths, most doctors recommend that their patients undergo spa treatment. However, treatment in a gastroenterological sanatorium is possible only after a thorough examination by an oncologist, therapist and other doctors. It should be borne in mind that during treatment in a sanatorium, it is necessary to completely abandon physiotherapy. For a person who has had this disease, rest in a sanatorium will help not only improve their physical condition faster, but also restore psychological balance.

The diet after gastric cancer surgery should be prescribed by the attending physician, who has access to all the patient's medical records. This avoids prescribing the wrong diet.

Recovery after stomach cancer includes a number of procedures that are mandatory. After completing the main procedure, rehabilitation begins, which includes a number of conditions that are necessary for a full recovery. If the rehabilitation has been completely completed, then there is a chance to return to a fully fulfilling life.