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
@casey1959
I understand your concerns about the upcoming surgery and your husband's eating habits. Perhaps you could ask your husband's surgeon to arrange for a registered dietitian to meet with you both before he is discharged from the hospital.
@hopeful33250 He hasn't had Whipple procedure yet. (April) A year ago he went from 220 6 foot tall to 149. I was so worried. He's been off Chemo 10 weeks. Is back up to 167. I feel better that he's put some weight back on before surgery. Yet reading so much about his diet post surgery. He's always loved his certain foods. Now it seems most will be off limits. Fear he will get depressed & exp rapid weight loss again. 😕
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHello @casey1959,
Several members of this discussion group have had a Whipple procedure. I'm sure some of them will share about their food choices. While I've not had a Whipple, I have had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract, and here is some of what I have learned: First, have small, frequent meals that are low in fat. Avoid raw foods; instead, use canned or well-cooked fruits or vegetables. A high-protein diet is important. Foods such as eggs and Greek yogurt can be good options to keep up protein needs post-surgery.
Is your husband able to eat comfortably now? Is he maintaining his weight?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsWondering if anyone has had the Whipple? Need help with diet experiences afterwords. Hubby is going to be having procedure in April. Ty in advance.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@rm51 Looking for food triggers was a great suggestion! I hope your friend follows through on logging foods (and drinks) to identify potential triggers for the symptoms.
It is so good of you to be trying to help your friend. Will you update on his progress?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you all very much for your valuable comment. I recently raised a topic of gastrectomy and issues afterwards, and the mentor suggested me to look into this discussion.
The background is that a friend of mine had TG in October 2025 (5 months ago). The problem started when he had stomachache on and off, and the cause was unknown until he was taken to A&E in Jan 25, when they discovered a hole and a lump in the stomach. The hospital suggested that the hole was created due to an extended use of aspirin for his heart issue. Then, the biopsy came back with cancer diagnosis with no spread. He had a course of chemo until July 25 and immunotherapy until September 25. Then he had to choose either continuing chemo for the rest of his life or TG, because the lump was right in the middle of stomach. So unlucky that it was located in the middle, so it had to be TG.
Hospital advised the new diet, which he is following to the letter. He is fed up with small and often, but the real issue is that a lot of food he is allowed to eat makes him ill. I have now told him to do a food log to find triggers and to expand the OK list.
Thanks again for sharing your experiences.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@jlharsh
Looks wonderful. I'll give it a try! Thank you!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsAfter open surgery for colon cancer, I had to eat very carefully for quite awhile, to gentle my resected gut…mostly very soft foods, and only adding new foods one at a time very gradually…after a few months my diet was pretty normal…small meals, small snacks and hydration were very important for my recovery. Wishing you all the best !
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@hopeful33250
I was excited to see a recipe new to me show up in my email inbox from Mayo Clinic Press. Every ingredient hit my criteria for nutrition, good for my particular body, and easy to digest.
Well, I tried this Fried Rice With Mushrooms recipe today and it is a keeper! The ingredients are easily used in other meals, so convenient to have on hand. I am adding this recipe to a rotation of menu items to get out of the rut I am currently feeling.
My initial tweaks:
- add red pepper that I like to use regularly, particularly for the vitamin C helping soften stools
- splurge on good mushrooms and let them be the highlight of dish
- maybe changing up the type of mushrooms will make this different every time I make it…
Here is the recipe:
- Fried Rice With Mushrooms https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/nutrition-fitness/fried-rice-with-mushrooms/
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsHello @kmbori,
I'm sorry to hear about all of the issues you have had since gallbladder surgery. We have other members in this discussion group who have had post surgery problems. Share a little about the types of foods you are eating and perhaps another member can offer suggestions.
How long ago was your surgery? Was it an open surgery or laparoscopic?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction