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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 @billb720301, and welcome to this discussion group on eating after digestive tract surgery. As you read the posts in this discussion group, you will meet many members who have had Whipple procedures. I think you will get a lot of support from the members about their personal eating plans after surgery.
I see that you are currently eating lots of fruits, veggies, and salads. I'm wondering if these are all fresh items? Many of us with surgeries of the digestive tract have found that uncooked fruits and veggies tend to increase abdominal pain and bloating. While I really miss eating a fresh salad, I don't miss the pain and bloating that come with raw ingredients. As you read the posts, you will see that most of us eat cooked veggies (like in soups) rather than raw and have found that these work best. Have you tried cooked veggies to see if that will help?
I would also encourage you to ask your doctor for a referral to a hospital-registered dietitian for advice on healthy eating. I have had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract and have met with a registered dietician several times. The advice and guidance provided in these consultations were invaluable.
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2 Reactions@larust8
I have also found fruit juice to be a good base for smoothies. For me, milk products are not gut-friendly, but cranberry juice provides some liquid, and adding fruits like half a banana. A couple of strawberries and a slice of pineapple are great. I also use a protein powder (pea-based protein powder, rather than whey-based), which helps.
All of these suggestions are great. I'm learning a lot.
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2 Reactions@hopeful33250 I can have a small amount of milk a few times a week. Doctors have told me in the past that I'm probably lactose intolerance. I drink one or two Ensure protein drinks a day with out much problems
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1 Reaction@hopeful33250 I like to use apple juice as the base and then add whatever frozen fruit I’m in the mood for. Mixed berry or peach are two of my favorites. A little vanilla soy milk and banana for creaminess. Grocery stores have frozen fruit blends just for smoothies now to. We can always add a little protein powder for extra nutrition too.
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2 ReactionsI had Whipple surgery in July 2024. Currently taking 1200 Creon with meals. Having constant constipation with bloating and abdominal pain. My diet is mostly fruit, salads veggies and protein. Trying to avoid added sugar and fat. Any suggestions?
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1 Reaction@larust8
Smoothies are a good idea. Do you have a favorite recipe?
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2 Reactions@hoagie Could you have smoothies with fruit juice, maybe some milk (dairy or non-dairy), maybe add protein powder for muscle strength. If you purée everything really well it would be soft. Fruit always makes my stomach feel better.
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4 Reactions@hopeful33250
The VA sends me a case of the Ensure chocolate drinks. So that helps.
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2 ReactionsHello @hoagie,
I'm sorry to hear of your eating restrictions, but this is a group of folks who are encountering the same thing. Surgery in the digestive tract changes the landscape of your digestive system and then we have to change the way we eat. Most of the foods you've mentioned are the same ones we all avoid.
Have you been able to maintain your weight?
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1 ReactionI've had six surgeries for chronic small bowels obstructions since 2002. My intestinal tract shuts down after the surgeries for 3 to 4 weeks. The doctor said that it's my body's reaction to the trauma of the surgery. It's a natural body reaction. I've seen dieticians at three different hospitals. They all say basically the same thing of what to eat or not to eat. They say a soft food diet. No raw vegetables at all. I can have vegetables that have been thoroughly boiled to almost nothing. No nuts. No course cereals. I can have cream of wheat and small amounts oatmeal. No vegetables like cabbage, celery or lettuce or corn. There's more food that I like, but can't have.
I can have soups, mashed potatoes. Well mashed squashes. I love butternut squash. I can't have steak. Even prime rib is out. I can have pudding, jello and all the yogurt I want. I've been eating microwave dinners like Stoffers meatloaf, mac and cheese, rice with chicken, spaghetti and ravioli type of meals.
So It's basically everything I like to eat. I can't have. One doctor said I can have everything that goes in soft, that comes out soft. Gross, but more or less true. Icecream doesn't like me and pastries for some reason doesn't like me. I've been trying to deal with all this for about 5 years.
After my last bowel surgery in 2023. The doctor put me on TPN, or Total Parenteral Nutrition. Intravenous nutrition for 3 months. I won't do that again. I had constant diarrhea. It was bad. I really try hard to stick with a soft food diet. Like I said. There seems to be more food that I shouldn't eat than what I should be eating. I'll try other foods in small amounts. But I don't know what's going to upset my bowels from day to day. My bowels do some pretty strange things almost every day. It makes me crazy and it's depressing and very frustrating.
I hope you find some of this helpful. Best of luck to you.
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