Hello JulianD,

Just a quick note to let you know we have forwarded your query to our team of cancer nurses and I hope you will hear from them soon, however it might take them a few business days to reply so feel free to call their phone line if you wish to ask for suggestions before they have a chance to post here. The number is 0808 800 4040, and the lines are open Monday - Friday between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Best wishes,

Renata, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hello

One of the moderators asked me if I might have any useful suggestions for you. 

I am sorry that you have had contradictory information from various websites.  This might be because often in situations like this you need to find out what food suit you after surgery.  Often what suits one person will not suit another. 

Also it depends on what problems you might have developed following surgery.  Some people find that they have a tendency for looser stools, where as others might find that constipation is more of a problem.  Adjusting your diet can help with both of these problems, but there can be an element of trial and error while you are trying to work out how to have a balanced diet, maintain your weight and deal with any changes in bowel habit that might have developed.

There is certainly nothing wrong with the things you are eating and drinking but it might be helpful to look at the information on our website about diet after bowel cancer here .  I would also suggest that you ask your GP or the hospital consultant to refer you to a dietitian.

I hope this has been helpful

Martin

Thank you

I'm getting constipation problems and would like to move up to a higher fibre diet. My problem could be that I seem to be eating more white bread than normal.

I'm still avoiding seeds, I'm six weeks out of surgery, is this too soon to go back on a normal diet? Tomatoes etc? I have a tin of lentil soup that I'm going to try today and also make a veg soup with potatoes and carrots using tinned chicken stock.

Nuts... I love nuts, everyone says no nuts... nuts!

Hello Julian,

It might be fine to start eating what is normal for you. I think the best way to understand how any food is going to affect you is to try it, perhaps a small amount first and then keep a food diary commenting on how it affected you, if it does at all.  You might want to do this for a couple of weeks to get a good picture of what you can or cannot eat.  I think also that each time you introduce a food to be aware about how it affects you. Also, Your bowel situation may change over time if your surgery and if you had radiotherapy, was not that long ago. 

I wonder if you were you given some written information to guide you about your diet. If not you might want to contact your specialist cancer team to ask if they have any information that might help you and also to find out if you can start eating nuts.

Take care,

Caroline

Thanks Caroline, I have no cancer team, just an oncologist, I'm retired in Asia and could not get back to my home country of Australia before my emergency surgery.

To be honest, I'd prefer to stick it out here now, my oncologist is great but a bit vague on food issues.

I have had one chemo, will have another in three weeks and then go onto radiology.

My bowels cleared yesterday after a day of mainly fruit with a little pasta and were a bit windy and runny last night.