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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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Hello @linsu,
I see that you recently joined Mayo Connect. You are asking good questions about the best way to eat after surgery! You are right, trial and error is one way to determine which foods will trigger your symptoms. You might also consider keeping a food journal where you list everything you eat and drink, along with the symptoms you have after each meal. While I have not had the particular surgery you had, I have had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract (duodenal bulb), and so I understand some of the problems you are experiencing. You do not mention what type of symptoms you have after eating. Are you experiencing nausea, diarrhea, or other digestive disturbances?
Until you see your doctor for more specific instructions, here are some thoughts that might help you. First of all, eat small, frequent meals. You might consider eliminating high-fat foods (like chicken salad and potato soup); instead, try a small piece of chicken without the bread. The potato soup is cream-based (therefore, you might avoid anything that is cream-based). Instead, you might try a broth-based soup, like chicken noodle. Instead of eating both of these at one sitting, try eating the protein first (like the chicken) and then a few hours later, a small bowl of soup.
I can understand your wanting to put on weight after post-surgery weight loss; however, eating too much (or the wrong types of foods) at once can trigger digestive problems that won't help you to gain weight. When you see your doctor, you might also consider asking for a referral to a registered hospital dietitian. I have seen a dietitian twice, and they have helped me to find the best eating plan after surgery.
Just a few more questions: how much weight have you lost since your surgery? Do you feel you are now underweight?
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4 ReactionsI had the Nissen wrap for hiatal hernia, March '25. My stomach has become more sensitive to food and I've lost weight in the past 2 months. It's hard to eat to keep my weight up when things I eat seem to upset my stomach. I can't see a GI specialist for 4 more weeks to see what they say.
I guess it's trial and error on food. Today's lunch of chicken salad and a small bowl of potato soup set me off again. Any comments are appreciated.
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3 Reactions@aileenredding As I have had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract, I can certainly confirm that raw veggies in salads can cause significant discomfort. As you read many of the posts in this discussion, you will find members saying something similar. To be sure, try keeping a food journal for a week or so, listing the food you eat and the symptoms that occur on the day of and the next day or so.
This is a good way for you to find out for yourself which "trigger" foods are a problem for you.
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3 Reactionsthis is above my pay grade........inflammation is a challenge for all of us!
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-025-01022-w
COULD THIS BE A COMMON ISSUE ALONG WITH OUR CONFIRMED ISSUES?
............shows for years in most CT Scans but usually ignored!
This is my first post with this thread. I had been lactose intolerant before my total colectomy but afterwards I was much more sensitive. I can tolerate a little butter and that's it. I like salads but I noticed that some of it goes through and comes out undigested. I have gotten some help from my GI's physician assistant. I use gasless citrucil to add bulk. Otherwise I haven't got much help concerning specific foods to eat. I have to avoid anything that produces gas . I have always found that my emotions had a lot to do with my digestion and that pattern has continued. I have become extremely sensitive to oil or fat. It comes out as an oil slick and diarrhea.
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2 Reactions@hopeful33250 yes
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1 ReactionHello @cgcarpenter, and welcome to Mayo Connect. You are right when you say, "...it's taken time to figure out what doesn't digest well or at all..." Your suggestion of experimenting with diet is important. Many of us have, at some point, kept a food journal to track which foods were problematic. Small portions, well chewed, is a good mantra!
You've had several surgeries, so I'm sure you adjusted your diet with each one. Has the Creon helped you eat a wider variety of foods?
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1 ReactionI'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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4 ReactionsThank you. I will let you know if if I find any helpful information.
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