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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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@tjanet
I'm wondering how this was diagnosed. Were there specific symptoms that led you to know that you were dehydrated?
@hopeful33250
I drink fluids with sodium and glucose in them everyday. I drink Powerade as my main hydration when I don't have my IV of fluids. I do IV of fluids 5 days a week to help with hydration and to help me not get dehydrated. I can get dehydrated easily. There are ORS online to make at home basically water,salt and sugar. But I add some crystal light to add some flavor to it. Or apple juice mixed with water and salt.
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2 Reactions@tjanet
I appreciate the explanation. Do you use ORS daily? Is it something you get over the counter or does it require a prescription?
@hopeful33250
In short bowel syndrome (SBS), the body has difficulty absorbing water because a significant portion of the small intestine, where most water absorption occurs, is missing or not functioning properly. This malabsorption leads to dehydration and can cause complications like fluid and electrolyte imbalances, especially with high stool output. Management typically involves staying hydrated with specialized solutions like oral rehydration solutions (ORS) and following a tailored diet plan.
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3 ReactionsI am able to eat most things that are easy to digest and low in fiber. Macaroni isn't a good food for me it can cause constipation.
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1 ReactionHello @tjanet
I always learn so much from others on Connect. I am interested in what you said about water not absorbing well. Can you explain this?
@cj16 This sounds much like my eating plan. My last surgery was in 2016, but I am still restricted in the quantity as well as the quality of what I eat. I, too, find small portions the best, along with high-protein, low-fiber foods. Soups work pretty well because the veggies are well-cooked. For added protein, I add some ground beef or turkey to the soup. Chicken noodle soup with added cooked carrots is easy to fix and nutritious, too!
Most of us eventually find the eating pattern that provides nutrition and is easy on our digestive tract.
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6 Reactions@cj16 thanks for the encouragement 💐
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3 Reactions@lilbear just have faith. You got this. 🤸♂️💪It will get better. ❤️🩹
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3 Reactions@cj16 thanks for your help! I’m trying to figure out other things to eat because I’m already getting tired of the same stuff I’m eating every day. Today is actually the first day. I am not in so much pain so I’m hoping I’m turning a corner. But I do know things change every day. I read affirmations to help me stay positive.
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3 Reactions