HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

eating after surgery

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/19/2009 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Went for my pre op appt today. All went well. hoping the blood work is ok. The surgical nurse inputting my info asked a lot about what I could and couldn't eat. I found this really wierd. Won't they tell me what to eat? So we put in that I'm lactose intolerant, no seeds, low fiber, low residue. But won't that change or not for a while? What did you all wind up eating in the hospital?

Also good news. My proctocolectomy and ileostomy will be done by laproscopy. I'm guessing I'll have 2 or 3 incisions but should be better for healing process and time. Right?
Posted 2/19/2009 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
Yes.
If it all goes right (read signature) your healing time will be much faster.
I had 2 incisions on my right side, one in my belly button, and one at my panty line. They were so small and my belly still looked normal. Humph.

The surgeon will tell you what to eat. You won't be eating for a few days. then they'll start slow with clear liquids. When that goes down ok, and your output starts to thicken, they'll let you eat soft foods, then bland foods.

That's not everyones exact experience, but it was mine.
Posted 2/19/2009 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
the day of srugery i had nothing, only a few sips of water, the second day i had some juice and a popsicle and maybe some pudding or jello
the 3rd day i had some kfc mashed potatos god they were good!
after that i was eating sort of normal stuff. Just kind of boring things, like a piece of toast and such as that.
The things you eat are low residue things you just stay away from fresh veggies and fruits stringy meats, stuff like that for the first 6 weeks.
when i first came home i lived off cheese ravoli, lol. No idea why but that was the only thing i thought i coudl eat, and that's what i ate!
its best not to eat spicy things, or things that give you gas (i ate pizza less than 2 weeks after surgery and OMG at the pain! i eat pizza all the time now though, lol) or heartburn. Once you get 6 weeks out you can start introducing new foods eeryday. Like one day add in carrots, make sure they dont cause a problem, then add in broccoli (it can cause people lots of gas sometimes, doesnt me) like that, that way you can see if a food is going to give you gas or whatever.
But as of now, the only thing i dont eat is nuts and seeds
although i do not suggest that you ever eat a whole fresh pineapple in one day, in one sitting, oh the heartburn, lol.
Posted 2/19/2009 11:58 AM (GMT 0)

sammies--you will have to be on a restricted diet for about 6 weeks after surgery...after that, you are able to add in whatever you want.  Some don't eat nuts/seeds and are careful with FRESH fruits/veggies...personally, I eat EVERYTHING (including nuts/seeds/fresh fruits&veggies) but I am VERY careful of the quantities.  You could over eat something and find yourself feeling uncomfortable (summerstorm's pinapple skull ).

Any issues with food that you had prior to surgery will not be as much an issue...i.e. lactose intolerant...you might find your transit time will speed up, but you WILL be able to eat dairy again. 

That is wonderful that your surgery will be laproscopic...your recovery will be easier without the BIG incision smilewinkgrin    The 6 weeks for a restricted diet will probably be shorter, too!

Posted 2/19/2009 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
I wasn't on a restricted diet for 6 weeks. More like one week, after I was released from the hosp.
Posted 2/19/2009 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
I was not restricted either (after being released)...basically whatever I could handle was ok.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply