After surgery to remove part or all of your stomach, your body may not absorb certain vitamins and
minerals as well as before. When these levels are low, you may develop additional symptoms.
| calcium | Over time, low calcium can cause your bones to become weak and brittle and break more easily (osteoporosis). Your doctor will talk to you about exercise, your diet and drug treatments. |
| vitamin B12 | The most common symptom of low B12 is tiredness. Other symptoms include pale skin, breathlessness, headaches, a racing heart and appetite loss. Your doctor may recommend regular B12 injections. If you had a total gastrectomy, you will need regular injections as your body will no longer be able to absorb B12. |
| iron | Low iron can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, can cause fatigue, dizziness and shortness of which breath. You may need an iron infusion, when iron is given as a liquid through a drip inserted into a vein. |
You will probably have regular blood tests to check your vitamin and mineral levels.
Tips for managing anaemia
- Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of anaemia or osteoporosis.
- Find out what type of anaemia you have and how to treat it.
- Rest when you need to and try not to do too much.
- Eat foods rich in iron, such as meat, eggs and softened dark green leafy vegetables.
- Eat foods high in vitamin C (e.g. red or orange fruits and vegetables) to help your body absorb iron from iron-rich foods, especially plant-based sources.
- Avoid drinking tea and coffee with meals, as these can prevent your body absorbing iron.
- If you smoke, talk to your GP about quitting or call the Quitline on 13 7848 for support and information. Smoking tobacco can make symptoms worse.
→ READ MORE: Life After Treatment for Stomach Cancer
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Prof David I Watson, Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor of Surgery, Flinders University, and Senior Consultant Surgeon, Oesophago-Gastric Surgery Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Prof Bryan Burmeister, Senior Radiation Oncologist, GenesisCare Fraser Coast and Hervey Bay Hospital, QLD; Dr Natalie Collier, Radiation Oncologist, Wollongong Hospital, NSW; A/Prof Melissa Eastgate, A/Executive Director, Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Brett Hall, Consumer; Natalie Lalor, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; Chris Menzies, Upper GI Cancer Nurse Consultant, Flinders Medical Centre and Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA; Stefanie Simnadis, Clinical Dietitian, St John of God Subiaco Hospital, WA; Prof Rajvinder Singh, Professor of Medicine, University of Adelaide, and Director, Gastroenterology Department and Head of Endoscopy, Lyell McEwin Hospital, SA.
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