Appendicitis is a painful condition characterized by swelling or infection of the appendix, a pouch-like structure attached to the large intestine. Appendicitis is a condition that occurs when the appendix is obstructed, causing bacteria to accumulate. Surgical removal of the organ is one of the most common treatments. Recovery can take four to six weeks and in most cases, no long-term changes to diet are required.
Following Surgery
You can expect some dietary changes in the days following an appendectomy. Anesthesia administered during the surgery can leave you feeling nauseated for several days, making solid foods or those high in fats or sugar difficult to keep down. It's also not uncommon to have a sore throat for a few days. Anesthesia stays in the body for about 24 hours, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. For the first day after surgery, as long as there are no complications, you should take in only clear liquids and avoid drinking coffee, colas or juice since the sugar, bubbles and caffeine could be irritating.
Why to Avoid Foods
The appendix may be attached to the intestine, but it does not play a role in digestion. The reason for avoiding certain foods after surgery is primarily to prevent gas, bloating and other symptoms that can irritate the abdomen.
Bloating and Gas
You may have loose, water stools after surgery. A bland-food diet is less likely to produce abdominal bloating, discomfort and diarrhea. Most foods that contain carbohydrates can cause gas, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, such as baked beans, broccoli and lettuce. Certain types of sugars can also cause abdominal discomfort, including lactose, a natural sugar found in dairy products; sucrose; and fructose, which occurs naturally in some fruits and vegetables. Starches like potatoes, corn, pasta and wheat produce gas when they break down in the large intestine.
Alcohol
Avoid food and beverages containing alcohol until you're fully recovered. Alcohol is a drug and can react negatively with any anesthesia left in your system following surgery. Baked foods containing alcohol retain 45 percent of the alcohol after 25 minutes of baking. You have to simmer a soup, stew or casserole for up to 2.5 hours to reduce the alcohol content to 5 percent, according to calculations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Appendicitis; November 2008
- Loma Linda University Children's Hospital: Appendicitis
- The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists: After Anesthesia: Your Active Role Assists Your Recovery
- O Chef: Does Alcohol Really Boil Away in Cooking?
- MayoClinic.com; Bloating, Belching and Intestinal Gas: How to Avoid Them; April 2011
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Gas in the Digestive Tract; January 2008
