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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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@larust8
I have also found fruit juice to be a good base for smoothies. For me, milk products are not gut-friendly, but cranberry juice provides some liquid, and adding fruits like half a banana. A couple of strawberries and a slice of pineapple are great. I also use a protein powder (pea-based protein powder, rather than whey-based), which helps.
All of these suggestions are great. I'm learning a lot.
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2 ReactionsHello @billb720301, and welcome to this discussion group on eating after digestive tract surgery. As you read the posts in this discussion group, you will meet many members who have had Whipple procedures. I think you will get a lot of support from the members about their personal eating plans after surgery.
I see that you are currently eating lots of fruits, veggies, and salads. I'm wondering if these are all fresh items? Many of us with surgeries of the digestive tract have found that uncooked fruits and veggies tend to increase abdominal pain and bloating. While I really miss eating a fresh salad, I don't miss the pain and bloating that come with raw ingredients. As you read the posts, you will see that most of us eat cooked veggies (like in soups) rather than raw and have found that these work best. Have you tried cooked veggies to see if that will help?
I would also encourage you to ask your doctor for a referral to a hospital-registered dietitian for advice on healthy eating. I have had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract and have met with a registered dietician several times. The advice and guidance provided in these consultations were invaluable.
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2 ReactionsThank you so much for your prompt reply. My wife makes excellent vegetable soup of which I will eat more. I will also get a referral to a hospital dietician. Thanks.
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2 Reactions@hoagie I use a little almond milk and chiobani lactose free Greek yogurt in my smoothies along with frozen fruit or fresh fruit depending on what I have. I also add vanilla protein powder.
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1 Reaction@billb720301 I’m not sure how other insurance companies work but Blue Cross provide me a case advocate who connected me to one of their registered dieticians. I developed, what they thought, was IBS after getting c-diff following bowel obstruction surgery. The dietician was familiar with the FODMAP diet I was told to follow as well as with other dietary suggestions. Ended up I do not have IBS but a year later, I still try to eat similar to what I was. No raw veggies so no salads, baked or grilled meats, lactose free Greek yogurt, potatoes sliced and baked with a little olive oil, salt and pepper, and squash and asparagus broiled in the over. No broccoli or corn though.
Good luck!
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3 ReactionsThank you so much. I’m on Medicare so I will try to connect with a dietician. So sorry to see the salads go. I was trying to be healthy and usually had one every day.
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3 Reactions@billb720301
I hope you begin to feel better, and I look forward to hearing from you again. I would be interested in hearing what guidance you get from a dietician. Will you let me know if changes in your diet are helpful?
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1 ReactionThank you. I will let you know if if I find any helpful information.
I've had a Whipple and 2 colon cancer colonectomies; so very little of digestive system left ( small portions middle and lower small intestine. ) I saw dietitian who was not very helpful. She really had no clue what was going to be helpful for my situation
I now eat anything I want in small portions, well chewed
Cooked or raw , no matter.
Obviously it's taken time to figure out what doesn't digest well or at all, what is going to cause liquid stool and what is going to cause bloating and gas. It's a process. I started taking Creon to aid the pancreas after almost 20 years post Whipple. Part of pancreas was removed too.
I certainly have eaten the wrong thing or too much of something but 24 hours later I am OK
What works for me may not work for you ; but without experimenting with your personal diet you will not learn what your new diet will be.
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