Connect
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?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.
Connect
@zacharycat your points very well taken….i gave up alcohol totally, no problem, easier after CRC.. and even simple walking/exercise makes a difference… and I love my self-created ‘’dancercise’’…
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@hopeful33250
Hi,
Don't know what to say.
The Nurse Practitioner had to contact one of the docs to change my current routine of taking Linzess, extra stool softeners, Duculax and Fleets enema to the following:
Trulance, 1 x day, Lactulose Liquid, 2 Tablespoons 2 x day and a Colace 100 2x day, which I started on Tuesday night.
It is now Thursday night, and the only thing that is moving is gas, as well as stomach pain. This process is not working.
The Nurse Practitioner never had a patient who had small intestine surgery with severe constipation after. That she why she contacted one of the docs.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@bearose
Oh, I'm so sorry that you didn't get much help at your appointment. This can be discouraging. Have you ever had a referral to a registered dietician or to a pelvic floor therapist? I have had both of these people in my support network, and I've found their input invaluable.
Have you considered asking for a referral to both of these professionals?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@hopeful33250
Teresa,
I did ask about both. However, the nurse practitioner stated the nutritionist would be good but the pelvic floor therapist would come later in the process, as they are trying to get me regulated first.
Right now, the former nutritionist I have used [while employed] stated Medicare wouldn't pay for a nutritionist, and I've been doing research on my own and added lots of fiber, and what not to eat.
I am in PA, so I'm also scouting out another GI to see if they have had some experience with post colon surgery as well as Pelvic surgery two days apart with double general anesthesia.
Thank you for your assistance. I appreciate it.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@bearose Something I learned is—to be careful about loading in too much fiber if constipated and feeling stomach pain…to be nice to my now smaller small intestine ,and to hydrate a lot ! Wishing you relief !
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@nycmusic That is a very helpful suggestion! Our smaller digestive tract cannot handle as much fiber as it used to. Good point.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@bearose
Something that has helped me is a magnesium-powered product called "Calm." You mix it in water and drink it at bedtime. It works pretty well for me. I buy Calm in the vitamin/supplement section of a large grocery store. However, you can also find it at a health food store or buy it online. It is available plain or flavored. Here is a link to the product description. https://www.amazon.com/s
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@hopeful33250
Thanks, Teresa, for the tip. Right now, I am taking a lot of other meds and supplements that I am not adding any more to my diet. I do take Gabapentin at night for some residual pain and melatonin. However, I'll check it out.
Take care.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@nycmusic
Thank you for your reply. What else do you do?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@bearose what are you most interested in ? I’m glad to share any simple hints….but, ultimately it’s best to get professional advice on the more serious issues.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions