Surgery is sometimes followed by a lengthy recovery period. Some surgeries do not require any diet modifications, but others may require a special diet to help promote healing, alleviate pain and prevent you from becoming ill. Surgeries -- especially stomach, dental and bariatric -- will require a special diet.
Abdominal Surgery
Diet modification after abdominal surgery allows your stomach and digestive tract to rest. The Washington Hospital Center indicates that you should follow a low-residue diet for two weeks following surgery. Foods that are easy to digest and leave little residue -- traces of food particles-- in your intestines can help aid in your recovery. Avoid foods high in fiber, spicy food, greasy food, carbonated beverages and alcohol. Every person responds differently to surgery. As a result, if you notice foods are causing you gas, cramping or diarrhea, avoid them.
Gallbladder Surgery
Your gallbladder helps to digest fat. Without a gallbladder, your body has to work harder to digest fats. As a result, you may experience symptoms such as diarrhea or bloating after gallbladder surgery. You will need to avoid foods that are high in cholesterol and fat. Fried foods and foods prepared in butter or oil should be avoided. You should also avoid refined foods -- including white bread, pancakes and white rice. You may also need to avoid margarine, mayonnaise and other fat-filled condiments.
Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery -- also referred to as weight loss surgery or gastric bypass surgery -- can also require changes in your diet. This surgery makes your stomach smaller so that you will eat less. As a result, you will need to learn how to handle eating solid foods again. Gastric bypass also changes the way your body absorbs food -- you will absorb fewer calories following surgery. For the first two to three weeks following your surgery, you will need to avoid solid foods. Your diet will consist of liquids and pureed foods. A liquid diet allows the incision in your stomach to heal and allows you to rebuild strength after surgery. You will then slowly add regular foods to your diet. You should avoid popcorn, nuts and fibrous foods -- such as corn and celery -- as they may cause you discomfort by irritating the lining of your stomach. When eating solid foods, avoid drinking. Liquids will fill you up more quickly.
Dental Surgery
Oral surgery may temporarily change the way you eat. Tooth extractions, jaw surgery or dental implants may make it difficult to eat certain foods. The day of your dental surgery, you should stick with a cold, liquid diet. For the first two weeks following surgery -- or at the discretion of your doctor -- you should eat a diet of soft foods, such as mashed potatoes or peanut butter. You should avoid foods that are hard and crunchy, like nuts, seeds, chips, pretzels, apples, corn on the cob and raw vegetables.
