What to do if you have abdominal distension after gastric cancer surgery

During gastric cancer surgery, the vagus nerve is cut off, which causes the secretory function of organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and intestines to decrease, and the contraction function of the gallbladder to decrease, causing emptying disorders, insufficient digestive juices in the intestines, and lack of various digestive enzymes. In addition, intestinal peristalsis is weakened, leading to incomplete digestion and absorption of protein and fat, causing abdominal distension and diarrhea.

So, what should you do if you have abdominal distension after gastric cancer surgery?

1. Self-diet adjustment

1. Choose suitable food.

Postoperative patients should choose foods that are easily digestible, low in sugar, high in protein, and contain appropriate amounts of fat. They should insist on eating small and frequent meals, eat more mild foods, make reasonable combinations of foods, ensure balanced nutrition, avoid irritating, allergic, hyperosmotic foods, and overly cold or overheated foods that produce gas, such as ice cream, sweet milk, soy milk, fried foods, and spicy and sour foods.

2. Provide dietary guidance to patients after surgery.

① Separate dry and liquid foods. Patients can eat liquid foods half an hour to an hour after a dry meal. If necessary, they can lie flat for 20-30 minutes after the meal to prevent or alleviate symptoms.

② Eat small meals frequently to avoid excessive gastrointestinal accumulation and indigestion.

③The diet should be low in carbohydrates, high in protein, and moderate in fat, and avoid foods that are too sweet or too cold.

2. Take some medicines to nourish the spleen and stomach

In addition to paying attention to dietary care, if abdominal distension and diarrhea occur after gastric cancer surgery, you can also insist on taking some medicines to nourish the spleen and stomach to help restore the body's transportation and transformation functions and complete the normal process of food reception, transportation, absorption, and excretion.