Question:
I've heard eating too soon cause gangrene? What of other complication?

I was just reading the message board and see that we just lost another one of our family members (my sympathy to the family). What can we do to help in our staying on this side of the surgery? I know that some of us have more problems than others and the risks are always greater for us, but I really do not want to do anything to take me away from my family. I have been told that eating too soon causes gangrene and ultimately final demise, is that true? Any and all answers are appreciated. I am now wondering as my surgery date is fast approaching (May 6). Want to go in with only positive thoughts, I feel that is also part of the key.    — Diana D. (posted on April 26, 2003)

April 25, 2003
The best thing you can do to make your surgery a safe success is to follow all of your doctor's orders. Every surgeon has slightly different rules and he knows best for his own patients because each surgery is slightly different. That said, eating after surgery does not cause gangrene. However, eating before your doctor has checked for leaks could be a potential problem because if you have a leak the food could get into your abdominal cavity and cause infection. My surgeon checked for leaks before I even left the operating room. Some check after a day or two by having you drink a radio-opaque liquid and x-raying your stomach/intestines. Either way, just follow your doctor's instructions for the best odds. That doesn't mean everything will go perfectly, but the statistics are greatly in your favor. Please don't worry. Everything will go beautifully and soon you'll be over here and let me tell you that the grass really is greener...
   — cjabates

April 26, 2003
I agree with the other poster. Follow your doctor's orders. Make sure to have everything checked out that could possibly cause a problem. Know that if you follow his orders to the letter chances are you'll be fine. There is always a risk with any surgery. The reason this surgery seems more risky then say just having your tonsils removed is because the people having the surgery aren't exactly the picture of health to begin with. Most of us go into this operation with all sorts of problems from breathing issues to tumors. If we were heathly, we wouldn't need the surgery. So keep that in mind...the mortality rate is higher with this surgery because a vast majority of people having this surgery are sick to begin with making their recovery harder. Its scary to think about something happening to us. Believe me, I'm scared. I don't want to die...but I also know I won't live very long like this anyway.
   — Renee B.