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The method of nutrition after gastrointestinal surgery depends on the type of surgery and the section of the digestive tract on which it is performed. It is important for malnourished patients to follow a diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals for 1-2 weeks before the surgery.
After gastric resection on the first day, the patient usually receives fluids with electrolytes intravenously. On the second day after the procedure, the first peristaltic movements appear most often and then the patient is given fluids such as boiled water, weak tea in small amounts, a few teaspoons at a time, while continuing intravenous irrigation. Most often, on the 4th day after gastrectomy, a gruel diet is administered. After the first bowel movement, 5-6 days after the procedure, the gruel diet can be replaced with a mushy one. This diet may include semolina, mashed soups, poured noodles, milk soups with semolina or rice, boiled grated vegetables, mashed potatoes, cooked compotes. The next stage is an easily digestible diet, rich in protein. Meals should be low-volume. 6-8 small meals are recommended. The stomach load should be gradually increased by increasing the volume of meals. After the appendix surgery, the gruel diet is introduced earlier – on the 2nd and 3rd day after resection.
After treatments on the biliary tract, the patient receives fluids with electrolytes intravenously on the first day. On the next day, neutral fluids are administered, a few teaspoons each, such as water or weak tea. On the third day the patient switches to a gruel diet, and on the fourth day to a gruel-fruit diet. This is followed by a gradually introduced, easily digestible, low-fat diet such as in chronic cholangitis.
After resection of the gallbladder with laparoscopic method, convalescence is much faster. Intestinal peristalsis appears as early as 6-8 hours after the procedure. The day after the procedure, intravenous irrigation takes place. On the next day, a gruel diet is introduced, and on the second day after the surgery, an easily digestible diet is used. You can serve a roll with butter, milk soups, vegetable soups, mashed potatoes, shredded cooked vegetables. Meat is not served yet. On the third day, an easily digestible, low-fat diet is recommended.
In the case of rectal surgery, gruels are introduced on the third day, and on the fourth day, you switch to an easily digestible, low-fiber, low-fat, rubbed diet. After a few days, the patient switches to a normal, easily digestible diet.
Not all diets are healthy and safe for our body. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting any diet, even if you do not have any health concerns. When choosing a diet, never follow the current fashion. Remember that some diets, incl. low in specific nutrients or strongly limiting calories, and mono-diets can be devastating for the body, carry a risk of eating disorders, and may also increase appetite, contributing to a quick return to the former weight.
In the case of intestinal resection, how the patient should eat depends on the length of the resection and on which section of the intestine the resections were performed or the so-called stoma (anastomosis of the gut to the skin). As a result of removing part of the small intestine, fat digestion may be impaired. In such a case, their consumption should be limited during the convalescence period. After a few months, the rest of the intestine takes over for the digestive function. In order to avoid discomfort after operations on the intestines with an ostomy, when switching to a normal diet, test individual products gradually, introducing them to the diet one at a time and observe the gastrointestinal reaction (flatulence, nausea, etc.)
- See also: Living with a stoma
In the diet, avoid products that stimulate peristalsis (wholemeal bread, thick groats, salty dishes, spicy spices), limit the consumption of fat and sweets, fried products, gas-generating products such as leguminous cabbage.
dr Katarzyna Wolnicka, specialist dietitian