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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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I had the whipple and chemo for 6 months.
I would suggest that you stay away from sugar and fatty foods. Also eat small portions. Heathy foods are easier to digest.
Your body will let you know what you can eat without the pain.
Speak to a dietitian as well to get professional advice. You do not want to be malnourished.
Best,
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4 Reactions@nycmusic are you interested in details of post-surgery diet ? At first, after the liquid diet, very soft and gentle foods like scrambled eggs, yogurt, simple soups like broth with rice or noodles, mashed potatoes, peanut butter, bananas, then cooked carrots, canned pears or peaches…this is not permanent so not to worry about getting every nutrient- your goal is to ease food through your system…once you can do this and things are working, you can have fish and poultry, simply cooked…after awhile, you add soft lettuces and before long introduce other foods slowly to be sure they are okay..good luck ! Hope this helps you and others…
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4 Reactions@nycmusic great post!
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2 ReactionsI’m still having trouble eating after my whipple surgery.
It turns out after the doctors viewed a ct scan, ultrasound and mri I have a complication that needs to be fixed.
If you are losing weight your provider needs to know that.
I hope it gets better for you soon.
💖
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4 Reactions@azsunshine7 some people add the protein high calorie drinks, which can have added nutrients…personally hated them… smoothies are another way to eat while in recovery…each person finds what they like as well as tolerate well….it can’t be overemphasized that it’s important to limit highly processed foods… avoid bacon, salami etc….my system doesn’t do well with red meat…i got some useful info from better websites like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland clinic, MSK, any major cancer center as well.
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4 Reactions@nycmusic
I agree! Eating highly processed foods can really take a toll on our bodies and digestive systems. These foods are usually loaded with sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium, but they lack the nutrients we really need to thrive.
On the other hand, when I focus on whole foods and cook at home, I notice a positive shift in my health and overall well-being. It feels good to know exactly what’s going into my meals.
I tend to steer clear of fast food and dining out because I’ve experienced firsthand how they can lead to stomach discomfort and pain. It’s just not worth it!
I’ve found that following the Mediterranean diet works wonders for my digestion and gut health. It's not just about eating well, it’s about feeling good too!
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3 ReactionsMayo Clinic also has podcasts.
For this topic you can listen to Mayo Clinic on Nutrition
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2 Reactions@azsunshine7, I believe you wanted to post a link to the Mayo Clinic podcast on nutrition. Here it is:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mayo-clinic-on-nutrition/id1742274110
Or on your preferred podcast player: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/podcasts/on-nutrition/
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4 Reactions@colleenyoung yes, I tried 🙂
Thank you!
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1 ReactionI wish I knew more of the symptoms you face other than feeling bad. Are you anemic perhaps? Are iron, magnesium, calcium and more at normal levels? The last 18” of my terminal ileum was removed in ‘93 due to Crohn’s. This hardly absorb A, D, K & most of all B-12. So Dr. let’s me self-inject B-12 2x per month. Goes right to target instead of trying to be absorbed by missing ileum. My GB removed. All such surgery results in scaring and perhaps narrowing digestive tract which along w/ CD damage resulting in episodic severing cramping. Finally figured out that was caused by my diet. Too figured. I cut out all fruit, veggies, (even canned) nuts, fries, yes bananas, pulpy products, In-In-Out Burgers, fast food generally, That leaves meat, fish, poultry, eggs and a lot of processed junk Twenty plus years now but maybe 4-5 cramping episodes. It’s a mechanical matter. Ping pong ball no fit down garden hose. Hey, why do so many GI doctors - after a first visit - want to get you on the cutting board?
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