title: Struggling with food and eating--life after major upper gastrointestinal surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Few qualitative studies have explored patients' experience of food and eating following major upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery. The aim of this article was to explore the longer-term impact of different types of major upper gastrointestinal surgeries on people's relationship with food.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six people having had major upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery greater than 6 months ago participated in semi-structured interviews. These interviews aimed to explore a person's physical, emotional and social relationship with food and eating following surgery. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interview findings revealed a journey of adjustment, grieving and resignation. The physical symptoms and experiences of people differed between types of surgery, but the coping mechanisms remained the same.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The grieving and resignation people experienced suggest adjustment and coping similar to that of someone with a chronic illness. Remodeling of health services is needed to ensure this patient group receives ongoing management and support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Sydney, Australia, sharon.carey@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laws
authors.forename: Suzie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrie
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allman-Farinelli
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011788:Quality of Life