Deciding which dish you will eat after surgery is actually not something difficult, but it does have to be more careful. This is because the food you eat can have a big impact on your recovery and how quickly your surgical wound heals.
After surgery, you are advised to eat whole or fresh foods, not processed foods. This is because processed foods tend to have higher levels of added fat, sugar, salt, and chemical additives, with far less fiber and vitamins than whole foods.
Choosing the right foods to eat after surgery can not only speed up recovery, but can also prevent complications, such as constipation and elevated blood sugar .
Conversely, if you eat foods that should be avoided after surgery, postoperative recovery may take longer and the risk of complications will be greater.
Foods to Avoid After Surgery
In the early days after surgery, doctors will usually give pain relievers, especially opioids to relieve pain in the surgical wound. However, this drug is known to often cause side effects in the form of constipation.
Some foods can prevent or relieve constipation, but some can make constipation more likely or even worse. The following are some foods that can cause constipation and you need to avoid after undergoing surgery:
- Dried and preserved foods, such as dried fruit, beef jerky, and some types of potato chips
- Processed foods, such as French fries
- Milk and dairy products, such as cheese
- Red meat
- Candy, pastries, confectionery and other sweets
Eating Abstinence After Gallbladder Removal Surgery
After undergoing gallbladder removal surgery, for example for gallstones, you will need to limit or avoid high-fat, oily, and processed foods for several months. This is because these foods are more difficult for the body to digest.
Eating high-fat, oily, and processed foods after the gallbladder is removed can lead to excess gas production. As a result, you will experience bloating, pain, and diarrhea.
The following are some foods that you need to avoid after undergoing gallbladder removal surgery:
- Fatty meats, such as sausages, pork, steak, lamb, and whole beef
- Milk or dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, butter, and ice cream
- Processed foods that contain a lot of fat and sugar, such as sugary cereals, white bread, foods cooked in vegetable oils, and pastries
- Caffeinated foods or drinks, such as soda, coffee, and tea
- Alcoholic beverages
Food taboos after colonoscopy surgery
To speed healing after colonoscopy surgery, you need to avoid spicy and high-fiber foods. The reason is, these foods are difficult for the body to digest and can irritate your intestines.
In addition to spicy and high-fiber foods, you are also advised not to eat oily food because it can cause nausea and carbonated drinks that can make your stomach feel sick and bloated.
Some foods and drinks that need to be avoided after undergoing a colonoscopy procedure are:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Steak or tough type of meat
- Wheat bread
- Whole grain biscuits or seed biscuits
- Raw vegetables
- Corn
- Nuts
- Brown rice
- Fruit with skin
- Dried fruit, such as raisins
- Coconut
- Spices, such as garlic, curry, and red chili
- Strongly seasoned food, such as curry
- Fried food
Eating Abstinence After Gastric Cutting Surgery
After undergoing gastric bypass surgery, you should avoid the following foods and drinks because they can cause pain, nausea, or vomiting:
- Bread
- Carbonated drinks
- Raw vegetables
- Cooked fibrous vegetables, such as celery, broccoli, corn, or cabbage
- Red meat
- Fried food
- Highly spiced or spicy food
- Nuts and seeds
- Popcorn ( popcorn )
- Foods high in fat and sugar, such as packaged fruit juices and candy
If you are still confused about what food to eat after surgery, don't hesitate to discuss it with your doctor. In addition to determining the right food, the doctor will also explain what efforts you can take to speed up postoperative recovery.
Written by:
dr. Sonny Seputra, M.Ked.Klin, Sp.B, FINACS
(Surgeon Specialist)