Brenda Khan
After bowel surgery, it is typical to start with drinking fluids only, and then gradually progress to eating soft foods. The time taken for recovery varies depending on the type of bowel surgery and the individual. Generally, people can aim to build up to their usual diet within 2-6 weeks of surgery, but some sources state that it can take up to 8 weeks. During this time, it is important to eat small, frequent meals and snacks, and to drink plenty of fluids.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to start eating and drinking again | Typically, a few days after surgery, you'll be able to start drinking clear liquids. |
| Diet progression | From there, you'll gradually add foods back into your diet until you're back to eating as you did prior to the surgery. |
| Time taken to recover | The time taken for your bowel to recover after surgery varies between different people and depends on the type of bowel surgery. |
| Enhanced Recovery Programme | If you are on the Enhanced Recovery Programme, you will be drinking fluids and building up your diet within 2-3 days of your surgery. |
| Light Diet | Generally, you can aim to build up to your usual diet again within 2-6 weeks of your surgery. |
| Normal diet resumption | Most people can start to resume their normal diets by six to eight weeks after colon resection surgery. |
| Recommended foods | Small portions of low-fibre, soft foods, such as cooked vegetables, bananas, avocados, mashed potatoes, and tender proteins. |
| Meal frequency | Have small, frequent meals and snacks as your bowel adapts. |
| Fluid intake | Drink plenty of fluids (8-10 cups per day), especially if you have diarrhoea. |
| Protein intake | Include protein-rich foods in at least 2 meals per day to aid the healing process. |
| Food reintroduction | Continue to reintroduce foods gradually over the weeks following your surgery. |
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What You'll Learn
Start with clear fluids
The time it takes to recover from bowel surgery and start eating and drinking again varies from person to person and depends on the type of surgery performed. Typically, a few days after surgery, you will be advised to start drinking clear fluids.
After bowel surgery, it is typical to start with a liquid-only diet for a few days. Your doctor may advise you to take small 'sips' of clear fluids throughout the day. Clear fluids include water, weak squash, weak black tea, clear soup, and jelly. It is important to stay hydrated, especially if you are experiencing diarrhoea, which is a common symptom after bowel surgery.
As you progress, your doctor may suggest adding other fluids such as juices, milk, and nutrition drinks. It is important to follow your doctor's advice on how quickly you can build up your diet and progress through the different stages of fluid and food reintroduction.
Once you are managing the Light Diet of small portions of low-fibre, soft foods well, you can continue to reintroduce foods and build up to your usual diet. This typically happens within 2-6 weeks of surgery, but it may take longer for some people, especially those who have had more extensive surgeries.
It is recommended to eat small, frequent meals and snacks as your bowel adapts, and to include protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and milk in at least two meals per day to aid the healing process. It is also important to chew your food thoroughly, especially dense foods like meat, to prevent blockages.
Overall, it is crucial to follow your healthcare provider's directions and listen to your body as you slowly add more foods to your diet.
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Gradually progress to solid foods
After bowel surgery, it is typical to start with drinking fluids only and then gradually progress to solid foods. The time taken for your bowel to recover after surgery and for you to start eating solid foods again will vary between individuals and depend on the type of bowel surgery performed.
Once you are managing the Light Diet (small portions of low-fibre, soft foods) well, you can continue to gradually reintroduce solid foods and build up to your usual diet over the following weeks. This typically takes around 2-6 weeks, but this timeline is determined by your healthcare provider and will depend on your recovery progress.
When you start to eat solid foods again, you may get full faster than before. It is recommended to have several small meals throughout the day instead of three large ones. These meals will be easier to digest and less likely to cause gas or bloating. It is important to listen to your body and stop eating or slow down if you feel sick or full.
As your colon heals, some foods will be easier to digest than others. Easy-to-digest foods include toast and cream of wheat. It is also important to chew your food well, especially meats or other dense foods, to avoid blockages. High-fibre foods should be introduced slowly, one food at a time, to avoid overwhelming your system and causing constipation.
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Avoid foods that irritate the intestine
The time it takes to recover from bowel surgery varies from person to person and depends on the type of surgery performed. Generally, it takes around 2-6 weeks to build up to your usual diet after bowel surgery. During this time, it is important to avoid foods that irritate the intestine. Here are some tips to help you navigate your diet after bowel surgery:
Avoid crunchy, stringy, or hard-to-chew foods
Some foods that fall into this category include carrots, celery, apples, and other fruits or vegetables with tough skins or seeds. These foods can be hard to digest and may irritate your large intestine as it heals. It is best to avoid them for a few weeks after surgery and then slowly reintroduce them into your diet.
Spicy foods
Spicy foods can irritate your digestive system and cause diarrhea or uncomfortable bloating, especially as your intestine heals. Your doctor may recommend a bland diet for a few weeks after surgery. This includes avoiding herbs and spices with rough textures, such as chopped rosemary, crushed peppercorns, or caraway seeds.
Beans
Beans contain a type of sugar that is not easily digestible, which may cause gas or bloating. It is best to avoid beans for a while and then slowly reintroduce them into your diet once your intestine has healed.
Alcohol
Alcohol can stimulate your intestines and cause more frequent bowel movements. It is best to avoid alcohol until your digestion has returned to normal. Alcohol can also interfere with pain medications and slow down the healing process.
Remember to always consult with your doctor or surgeon, as they will provide specific advice and guidelines regarding your diet after bowel surgery.
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Eat small, frequent meals
After bowel surgery, it is important to eat small, frequent meals to aid your recovery. Eating smaller meals more often will help your bowel adapt and encourage a regular bowel habit. This is especially important if you are experiencing diarrhoea, as small meals will reduce the likelihood of discomfort, gas, or bloating.
In the first few days after surgery, you will likely be advised to only consume clear fluids, such as water, weak squash, and clear soup. You may then progress to free fluids, such as milk and fruit juice, and eventually, soft, low-fibre foods.
During the initial recovery phase, it is recommended to eat soft, low-fibre, and lower-fat foods that are easy to digest. This includes foods like cooked vegetables, bananas, avocados, mashed potatoes, and tender proteins such as eggs, fish, and meat. Well-cooked root vegetables, tinned peeled fruits, and white crackers are also good options. It is important to introduce these foods gradually, allowing your body to adjust and heal.
As you continue to heal, you can start to increase your portion sizes and reintroduce higher-fibre foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. However, it is important to listen to your body and progress at a pace that feels comfortable for you. If you feel sick or full, stop eating or slow down.
Remember to drink plenty of fluids, as this will aid your body in digesting food and removing waste. Aim for 8 to 10 cups of fluid per day, including water, fruit juice, or vitamin C-enriched squash.
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Drink plenty of fluids
After bowel surgery, drinking plenty of fluids is crucial. Initially, you will receive intravenous (IV) fluids, but soon after surgery, you can start drinking clear liquids like water, weak squash, weak black tea, clear soup, and jelly.
It is important to stay hydrated as you recover, so aim for 8 to 10 cups of water per day. Fluids help your body digest food and remove waste. If you find plain water unappealing, you can also opt for apple juice or cranberry juice.
As your recovery progresses, you can introduce free fluids like smooth fruit juice, milk, and milky drinks. This stage is important, especially if you experience diarrhoea, a common symptom after bowel surgery. Diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, so staying hydrated is a priority.
In addition to hydration, fluids like milk and nutritional drinks provide essential nutrients to aid in your healing process. It is recommended to include protein-rich foods in at least two meals per day, and milk is an excellent source of protein.
By staying well-hydrated, you support your body's natural healing process and ensure that your body can effectively digest food and remove waste, contributing to a smoother recovery after bowel surgery.
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Frequently asked questions
You should follow a soft diet for as long as your doctor or healthcare provider recommends. This could be for the next two to three weeks or until your bowel movements return to normal. Generally, you can expect to build up to your usual diet within 2-6 weeks of your surgery.
Soft foods are those that are soft in texture, low in fibre, and easy to digest. This includes cooked vegetables, bananas, avocados, mashed potatoes, and tender proteins like fish, eggs, and cheese.
It is recommended to eat small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day as your bowel adapts. You should also chew your food slowly and thoroughly to aid digestion. Drinking plenty of fluids is also important, especially if you are experiencing diarrhoea.
