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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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My endocrinologist prescribed corn starch taken with liquid three times per day to maintain blood sugar levels. Seems to help, last night before bedtime mixed a tablespoon with a drink and made it through the night without any low glucose alerts.
Two months is not very long ago, @katieliz. I've found that it takes at least two months to get my strength back after major surgery. Getting the digestive system back in order will take much longer. It's a complicated process of learning how to eat in order to accommodate the changes in your digestive landscape. For each person, what we eat, how much we eat, as well as the timing of meals will be different. So you will need to find your "new normal." Keeping a food diary may help. By tracking the foods, the amount and the timing of meals might help discover the best ways to eat.
Many of the suggestions made in the post above by @nikiglen, should help you. Just remember that it will take time to adjust.
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2 ReactionsI had the Whipple procedure 2 months ago, June 10/25.
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1 ReactionHello @nikiglen,
I see this is your first post on Mayo Connect. Welcome!
It looks like you were given a helpful list of easy to digest foods as well as good advice on exercise and the need for water on a regular basis.
How are you feeling post-surgery?
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2 ReactionsHello @katieliz
You are asking some good questions. Hiw long ago was your surgery?
My doctor prescribed a low residue soft diet. This meant that I only ate soft food with no bits. I ate mainly smoot yogurts, smooth cereals, soft fish etc.
DIETARY GUIDELINES
✓ Eat a variety of foods.
✓ Eat regular meals that are evenly spaced out. Do not skip meals.
✓ 3 small meals and (3 optional snacks) are recommended daily. The quantity and quality of
what you eat is important, meals must be balanced.
✓ Reduce your fat intake. Always choose low fat products and avoid all oily/fatty foods.
Choose foods that are < 10g fat per 100g.
✓ Eat more protein, less carbohydrate and very little fat.
✓ Do not have fruit with meals, but rather in-between meals.
✓ Follow your “foods to avoid” list strictly. Remember your allowed veg list.
✓ Avoid all fibrous foods e.g. roughage, husks, seeds, pips and gritty foods
✓ Use salt sparingly
✓ Drinks plenty of water (6-8 glasses daily throughout the day)
✓ Alcohol should be minimal and is best avoided.
✓ It is important to exercise regularly.
✓ A multivitamin and mineral supplement might be needed.
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2 ReactionsOkay, I like reading your comment about it taking two years for your bowel movements to become normal! I have never paid so much attention to this in my life, but have learned to, and wondered when things will be consistently normal, lol! Checking poops, all the time, just wanting to check that I’m absorbing nutrients (go by the color?). And sometimes have cramps, not fun. What causes these? Ok, thanks for any responses!
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1 ReactionI appreciate you sharing some of the ways you have modified your eating, @zacharycat. It looks as if your blood sugar is another factor in modifying your diet. What have you found to be the most helpful in maintaining good blood sugar levels?
Is there a particular food or drink that helps?
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1 Reaction@donnabe - I believe you mentioned in another discussion you had a gallbladder removal surgery. How did you eat after that surgery?
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1 ReactionMade some diet changes, but not because of surgery. There I had good recovery.
I have to eat frequently in small portions to try to keep the blood sugar stable (insulinoma). No alcohol either, Still it spikes at times and crashes at night, or during exertion if I don't pause to eat or drink something.
The oral chemo I'm on has caused me to leave out spicy foods. They make me feel like my mouth is on fire. Also I'm supposed to avoid grapefruit.
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2 Reactions