Diet After Colon Surgery

Any abdominal surgery leads to a violation of peristalsis (movements) of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, an extremely important stage for successful recovery after such an operation is the observance of a diet. The postoperative period is severe, the patient is fed slowly and gradually.

After the operation, you will certainly receive detailed instructions from doctors about the diet. There are basic rules for eating after colon surgery. This type of diet is also applicable for gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and after any operations on the gastrointestinal tract. Many patients report that after the operation they have radically changed their diet, in some cases a change in diet for life.

Very often after colon surgery, feeding begins on the fourth day after the intervention. This gives the colon time to recover and heal. The first foods to start feeding are broths and juices and other foods that are easy to digest.

General characteristics of the diet. This diet is a complete diet given the intake of carbohydrates, fats and proteins and the total energy value. The diet excludes strong stimulants of gastric secretion and irritants of the gastric mucosa, as well as such foods that remain in the gastrointestinal tract and are difficult to digest. The food is prepared mainly as a puree boiled or steamed. Baked foods should be without crust, meat and fish are consumed in small pieces. Cold and hot dishes are excluded, the use of salt is limited. The diet recommends frequent meals (5-6 times a day) in small portions.

Limit the number of fluids taken at bedtime.

The purpose of the diet is to eliminate irritants of the digestive tract, sparing the gastrointestinal tract with proper nutrition, reducing inflammation, faster wound healing, normalization of the secretory and motor functions of the stomach.

Digestible foods are absolutely forbidden. Here they are:
Foods are rich in coarse cellulose. These are: whole grains, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, asparagus, potatoes, legumes. Rye and any fresh bread are also prohibited.

Foods containing spicy spices and spicy dishes. Such spices are ginger, dill, marjoram, coriander, curry, mint, black and red pepper.

The diet provides for food to be prepared only by cooking or steaming. Any fried, breaded, or smoked foods are strictly forbidden.

Basic foods. Milk and dairy products. Salty and delicatessen cheeses and ice cream are prohibited. Fresh milk, whole yogurt, dietary cottage cheese, fresh cheese, unsalted sheep's and cow's cheese, fresh yellow cheese, melted cheese, milk creams are allowed.

Meat, fish and eggs. Salted and smoked meats and fish, canned food, sausages, fatty meats, pastrami, caviar are prohibited. Lean and lean meats, skinless chicken, white fish, trout, hake, hake, cod, carp, mullet, turbot are allowed. Eggs are also allowed.

Bread and cereals. Black bread and corn are forbidden. Rusks, stale white bread, cookies, white rice, semolina are allowed.

Confectionery and fruit. Prohibited: sour and unripe, cellulose-rich fruits, chocolate, ice cream. Allowed foods are: honey, sour, jelly, tahini halva.

Drinks. All alcoholic beverages, beer, carbonated products, strong tea and coffee are prohibited.

Rosehip tea, cocoa milk, non-carbonated mineral and spring water are allowed.

Fruits and vegetables. All fruits and vegetables that are rich in cellulose are banned - cherries, apricots, grapes, watermelon, spinach, dock, turnips, green beans, cabbage, blue eggplant, mushrooms, garlic, onions, leeks, etc. Ripe sweet varieties of apples, cherries, peaches, pineapple are allowed, but in limited quantities.

About the menu:

• 1st breakfast: 1 soft-boiled egg with milk cream or milk with rice;
• 2nd breakfast: baked apple is recommended to be peeled;
• Lunch: Pureed soup of lean meat, steamed carrots and fruit mousse;
• Afternoon snack: Popara with  rosehip tea, unsalted cheese, and rusks;
• Dinner: Boiled or steamed fish (then can be baked briefly in the oven) with milk sauce, a small number of mashed potatoes, tea;
• A small amount of yogurt can be eaten late in the evening.