Welcome to DJ's Total Gastrectomy
and Dumping Syndrome Web Site.

Our goal is to communicate, help and support each other through the experience of Total Gastrectomy (the total removal of the stomach) Dumping Syndrome (a condition which may occur with symptoms of nausea, irregular heart beat, vomiting)

As I struggled to recover from the surgical removal of my stomach, I needed information on nutrition. I wanted to talk with someone who knew the depression and frustrations I was experiencing.

Few health care professionals or personal friends were knowledgeable regarding the extent of the physical and emotional trauma experienced by a patient recovering from total gastrectomy.

Dealing with dumping syndrome is a trial both physically and emotionally.

I now want to offer to others going through the same experience, the sort of help and support I looked for during my recovery. Perhaps sharing my experiences will be of help to you. In the personal history, I tell about the success and failures I had coping with the physical symptoms. The nutritional link includes dietary guidelines and suggestions for foods that I found helpful. My physician read and approved the nutritional information and the written history of my experiences.

I am not a health care professional....just a person who has been there.

Six years have passed since my Total Gastrectomy surgery. I learned I can live without a stomach.

 During the past two years there has been a marked improvement in the quality of my life. I slowly, but surely, adjusted emotionally to my limitations. 

The good, which has come from this surgery, is my opportunity to give support to individuals with the same medical condition. I want to share my knowledge so Gastrectomy patients have a better understanding of the transition to wellness. 

Contact with those of us who have 'walked the same road' will perhaps provide assistance to those just starting down the road, so their difficulties and insecurities will be less than I experienced. Every week there are new inquiries on my web page from patients who do not know what to expect after a Gastrectomy. They ask questions about managing nourishment and how to minimize the disruption of Dumping Syndrome. 

Can you live with a stomach? Yes. Can you enjoy food? Yes you can, if you follow the guidelines; the essence of which is to eat small amounts of food every two to three hours and do not eat or drink anything with refined sugar. After four years, Dumping Syndrome still occurs, but episodes are infrequent. 

By learning from our experiences, we can share and help one another. We hope you enjoy your visit and that some of our information has been useful to you.