Poor appetite and weight loss

After surgery, you will not be able to eat or drink for a time and may have a feeding tube inserted. Once you begin eating again, you will start with fluids such as soups. You may not feel like eating or you may have lost your sense of taste. You may also have trouble swallowing or pain. It is important to maintain your weight to avoid malnutrition. Even a small drop in weight (e.g. 3–4 kg), particularly over a short period of time, can slow down your recovery.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause nausea, irritation to the oesophagus or a sore mouth. These side effects may make eating uncomfortable.

How to prevent unplanned weight loss

• Have a snack or small meal every 2–3 hours if you have lost your appetite and don’t feel hungry.
• Keep a variety of snacks handy (e.g. in your bag or car).
• Eat when you feel hungry or crave certain foods. Eat slowly and stop and rest when you are full.
• Avoid filling up on liquids at mealtimes, unless it’s a hearty soup, so you have room for nourishing food.
• Try eating different foods to see if your taste and tolerance for some foods have changed.
• Try to drink fluids that add energy (kilojoules), such as milk, milkshakes, smoothies or nutritional supplement drinks recommended by your dietitian.
• Prevent dehydration by drinking fluids between meals (30–60 minutes before or after meals).
• Ask your dietitian how you can increase your energy and protein intake.
• It may be helpful to use a food diary to keep a record of how you react to certain foods. Ask your dietitian about this.

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Podcast: Appetite Loss and Nausea

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