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How do I eat after digestive tract surgery?
Perhaps you have had surgery for chronic diverticulitis, cancer of the digestive tract, a Whipple procedure, bariatric surgery, or maybe even gallbladder surgery. Surgeries of the digestive tract typically alter the way our bodies process food as they change our digestive landscape. I discovered this after my second surgery on the upper digestive tract. After this surgery (and nearly a week in the hospital), well-meaning friends brought me food, which I certainly appreciated. However, the food they brought me were salads, fresh fruit and vegetables, cream-based soups, and casseroles. All of which made me feel terrible. It turned out my problems stemmed from what I was eating. So, what should I have been eating instead of these foods? It was a time of trial and error for me. I spent a lot of time finding which foods were “safe” and which foods were “triggers” and would cause digestive difficulties.
After major surgeries of the digestive tract, many hospital systems have a registered hospital dietitian meet with you before discharge and provide instructions on the best way to eat. This was not my experience. I did, however, request a referral to a dietitian several months after surgery.
Let's sit around the table and share our tips on the eating plan that worked best for you after your surgery and talk about the kinds of foods that were (and still are) the easiest to digest. We are all different in our responses to surgery, but we will undoubtedly find common ground.
I look forward to learning together. Share your ideas, recipes or cooking methods that have helped you.
Here are a few questions to get us started:
- If you have had a consultation with a dietitian, what did you learn?
- What foods did and didn't work for you?
- What about the quantity of food at each meal, as well as the timing of meals?
- Have your cooking methods changed?
- Do you still use spices the same way?
- Have you kept a food diary to track any foods that might be triggers for digestive difficulties?
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@hopeful33250 sorry just saw this post. Took about a year to feel much better. Still eat half of what I did. Yogurt and soups not creamed soups are my go to . I don’t drink the protein drinks anymore but still eat lots of protein like nuts, eggs,beans,tuna ,fish,shrimp.,grilled chix and lots of veggies. Yes,still eat slowly and chew lots.I don’t drink carbonated beverages or lots of alcohol. Fats and meat bother me as well as acidic foods so I stay clear of them. I take a probiotic which helps and sometimes reflux gourmet if needed. There is hope and when I was struggling I would stare at some foods and was afraid to eat it. Now,if I feel uncomfortable or eat too much I walk it off. Each day is a new beginning. Good luck.🤸♂️💕
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4 Reactions@lilbear About 8 months I started feeling better but still eat half of what I used to eat. Now,Greek plain Yogurt with berries and soups are my go to along with protein chix,fish,tuna,eggs,nuts lots of veggies . Protein drinks plant based(Vega berry) fruit helped me at first but I don’t drink them now. No dairy with lactose, I am lactose intolerant. I still eat small meals,no fat or meat because it Bothers me. I enjoy eating morefoods now and eat slowly and chew.,chew,chew.I walk daily and take a probiotic which helps a lot. 🤸♂️💕
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4 Reactions@cj16 thanks for the suggestions not sure what’s going to work for me yet! I’m really nervous to try new things!
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2 ReactionsI have short gut syndrome. I only have 2ft of my small intestines. I had a small bowel obstruction in 2019 and had 2 surgeries to fix the obstruction. For the first year,I was eating soft well cooked easy to digest foods and low fiber foods. I drink fluids with sodium and glucose (sugar) in them to help with absorption. Plain water doesn't absorb enough in my body. Now I am able to eat what I want to eat but it needs to be low fiber. I chew my food well. Small meals several times a day. I drink one Boost plus a day to help with weight gain. I am needing to gain weight but it hasn't happened very easily with short gut syndrome. I weighed over 140 lbs. in 2019 now I weigh under 115 lbs. I have been getting constipated alot lately which isn't good for short gut syndrome. People with short gut syndrome should have soft stools or diarrhea but not formed stools that is a sign of constipation.
I had my gallbladder removed also in 2019 but haven't noticed any problems with that.
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3 Reactions@cj16 thanks for your help! I’m trying to figure out other things to eat because I’m already getting tired of the same stuff I’m eating every day. Today is actually the first day. I am not in so much pain so I’m hoping I’m turning a corner. But I do know things change every day. I read affirmations to help me stay positive.
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3 Reactions@lilbear just have faith. You got this. 🤸♂️💪It will get better. ❤️🩹
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3 Reactions@cj16 thanks for the encouragement 💐
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3 Reactions@cj16 This sounds much like my eating plan. My last surgery was in 2016, but I am still restricted in the quantity as well as the quality of what I eat. I, too, find small portions the best, along with high-protein, low-fiber foods. Soups work pretty well because the veggies are well-cooked. For added protein, I add some ground beef or turkey to the soup. Chicken noodle soup with added cooked carrots is easy to fix and nutritious, too!
Most of us eventually find the eating pattern that provides nutrition and is easy on our digestive tract.
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6 ReactionsHello @tjanet
I always learn so much from others on Connect. I am interested in what you said about water not absorbing well. Can you explain this?
I am able to eat most things that are easy to digest and low in fiber. Macaroni isn't a good food for me it can cause constipation.
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