How do I eat after digestive tract surgery?

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, Jul 9, 2025

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

joanieknapp | @joanieknapp | May 23 8:43am

I think I will try making this meal with wild rice so it will be gluten free.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 23 5:52pm

In reply to @joanieknapp "I think I will try making this meal with wild rice so it will be gluten..." + (show)

Hello @joanieknapp, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see that you have just started posting in this discussion group. Have you recently had digestive tract surgery? How are you feeling?

I would love to hear from you once you make the recipe. I'm sure it will be wonderful.

ret1fmk | @ret1fmk | Aug 29 11:01am

I have been eating three meals a day and feel full. tried 5 meals per day but that didn't work. Have lost 12 pound since the surgery, upper body is like a skeleton. need some help to figure out weight gain.

ret1fmk | @ret1fmk | Aug 29 11:06am

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @joanieknapp, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see that you have just started posting..." + (show)

@hopeful33250 I had Whipple surgery and cannot gain weight. upper body looks like a skeleton. They took a third of my stomach out also.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 29 11:42am

In reply to @ret1fmk "@hopeful33250 I had Whipple surgery and cannot gain weight. upper body looks like a skeleton. They..." + (show)

Hello @ret1fmk , and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. While I've not had a Whipple surgery, I have had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract and have lost a lot of weight. It is hard to get back to normal after surgeries of this type.

What was most helpful to me was consulting with a hospital registered dietitian. They are the unsung heroes for patients like us and are very good at making recommendations on what foods to eat after surgery, as well as the timing of meals. I've had three consultations, and I would strongly suggest that you ask for a referral.

Have you previously consulted with a dietitian?

kelly619 | @kelly619 | Aug 31 10:08pm

Post-op clear liquid diet. Been a patient. Been a nurse. Broths, even clear broths made at home and brought in. Work your way to heavier, thicker foods. Yogurt, Greek yogurt because the high protein content will help you heal faster, better. Also, probiotics are good, but not all are created equal. I took one that worked great. 24 strains. Then, I ran out and just took one I found at the store. Not good. Instant gut pains and diarrhea. I also avoided gluten, it can be harder to digest. I drank carrot juice, good nutrition, beat juice too, it did not seem to be hard on my gut. Perhapse because it was a juice. I would not sit down and eat carrots or beats after surgery. I avoided lots of high fiber, particularly nonsoluable fiber. Bananas were good source of fiber while not being too fibrous. Organic applesauce without added sugars. Too much fiber from lettuce was killer had with my stomach. I also felt collagen supplement without flavor was helpful. The reason I say, without flavor is that fake sugar/sugar substitutes/flavors added would cause me bloating and gas pains. Too much sugars, processed foods I avoid baseline, but definitely after surgery. Hope this helps someone out there. Best wishes for getting better.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 1 10:59am

In reply to @kelly619 "Post-op clear liquid diet. Been a patient. Been a nurse. Broths, even clear broths made at..." + (show)

You have provided great suggestions for foods to eat (as well as foods to avoid) after digestive tract surgery, @kelly619. As you said, processed foods and sugar or sugar substitutes can also be irritating.

How long has it been since your surgery?

queenie52 | @queenie52 | Sep 2 11:37am

In reply to @linsu "I had the Nissen wrap for hiatal hernia, March '25. My stomach has become more sensitive..." + (show)

@linsu
Sticking to baked or grilled chicken with perhaps a bit of olive oil and lemon pepper works for me. I try to stay away from salads with high fat mayonnaise. And cream soups give me so much gas and bloating I just don't eat them anymore. Plain salad with a cup of romaine, a few slices of cucumber and tomatoes and a vinaigrette are best. And broth based soups don’t bother me at all. I know it’s awful that we have to give up so many of our favorite foods just to feel halfway decent. Keep trying and it’s a trial and error journey. Wish you all the best!

janetgraham | @janetgraham | Sep 12 9:51am

After colon resection in January 2025, medical people said to “eat what I could tolerate “ which was less than helpful.
Been pretty much trial and error. I have a new pcp after relocating and have had two successful weeks following the fodmap diet strictly.
We will visit again at the end of this month for further direction. I may consider seeing a dietitian.Do your research, find what works for you.
So much of our life evolves around food. It has been quite a challenge.
Don’t give up. You can make it work for you!

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 12 11:33am

In reply to @janetgraham "After colon resection in January 2025, medical people said to “eat what I could tolerate “..." + (show)

@janetgraham and @queenie52,

I appreciate you offering suggestions on the eating plans you have developed since your surgeries. It certainly is trial and error, and when you find an "error," it really reminds you of what to avoid. Having a consult with a registered dietitian (RD) is a great idea. I've had three surgeries and three consults with an RD and it was so helpful to me. They are some of the unsung heroes in the medical community.

@queenie52, How long ago did you have your surgery?