HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Loss Of Appetite, Bloating And Nausea After Colon Cancer Surgery?

Posted on Mon, 6 Jul 2015

Question: my dad had a colemtomy 8 months ago. 3 weeks later he had to do another surgery for mesh. 5 months later he had a brain stroke that didn't last for long..his wound from the 2nd surgery is recovering slowly but almost healed now..
He is suffering from loss of appetite though he is generally obese and likes food...he cannot feel hungry at all and eat very few food..

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Try Megace.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Can you please specify why did he has the colectomy done? Was it due to Ulcerative Colitis or colon cancer? Does he have any bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation?

If he has no other symptoms, just lack of the appetite, he may try Megace intake. This will help for sure.

However if he has mentioned symptoms, bowels obstruction can be the case.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (6 minutes later)

Yes he had colon cancer stage 2 and had removed it completely. he is suffering from slight bloating and nausea every now and then. his bowel movement is normal. We did two times tumor markets in the last six months and his numbers are normal range.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please try with Megace.

Detailed Answer:
He should be able to eat normally. Bloating can happen. Nausea should rather do not appear if he is passing stool normally.
Please try with Megace first. In a meanwhile please remember that he should have chest and abdominal CT before or after the surgery and every year after the surgery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (4 minutes later)

thank you doctor. But he says that his tongue tastes differently that's why he doesn't have appetite of food. I am afraid that his insomnia (he doesn't sleep at night at all and sleep in short period during mornings) is a reason for his loss of appetite. I am also concerned that he might have depression following his brain stroke because his appetite was slightly better before this incident

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
SSRIs medicines can help as well.

Detailed Answer:
Tongue problem can be caused by a stroke indeed. But if he is able to swallow, he should be able to eat normally. Insomnia can be the reason as well.
If you feel he may have depression, you should consul psychiatrist. Medicines called SSRIs can fight depression, regulate sleeping and as a side effect stimulate the appetite.
Either way, Megace can help as well.

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar