Post Surgery Diet, Indian Recipes

Surgey is common as we age. They are meant to improve the quality of our life. Recovery from a surgery depends on the kind of surgery you have undergone. This may take 2 days to a fortnight to even a month.

What you need to focus on is the quality of your diet depending on the foods allowed. While each surgery may have its do’s and don’ts about foods, here are some basic suggestions. A clear liquid diet to a soft diet is often recommended.

Indian Foods to Eat Immediately after a Surgery / Clear Liquid Diet after Surgery

Most tyes of surgery follow a clear liquid to full liquid diet after surgery. This is to rest the digestive tract and give time to your body to recover. Also this type of a liquid diet will give you the minimum nutrition your body requires to stay well hydrated and maintain electrolyte balance.

Depending on wether fiber is allowed or no, you can opt for fruit juices to begin with. Homemade Strained Orange Juice is one such example.

Homemade Strained Orange Juice

Homemade Strained Barley Water is often recommended as part of a clear fluid diet for those recovering from surgery as they have an intolerance for food. It is also useful for those suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea as it provides them with water soluble nutrients.

Once you are used to these type of clear liquid foods, you can try other liquids like Homemade Strained Carrot Juice. The clear liquid diet usually is recommended for 1 to 3 days depending on the type of surgery and other complications if any.

Some surgeries like those of tooth may not require you to opt for clear liquid diet. You may be advised full liquid immediately after surgery and then soft diet within a couple of hours.

Similarly, certain other surgeries like the gastric surgery which suggested clear lquid diet as the first step may then call for liquid diet. In this type of diet, you can have unstrained juices, cooked thin dals, cooked barley water and thin vegetable purees. This diet is more nourished than the clear liquid diet and helps you recover further.

Masoor Dal Water and Mango Yogurt are liquidy foods allowed at this stage. The full liquid diet may be suggested for 2 to 14 days depending on the type of surgery and the patient’s response to food.

Full liquid diet is often succeeded by a soft diet. This is the transition before you begin for a normal diet. This begins immediately once you have been adjusted to a full liquid diet and are ready to digest more foods. Remember that your body needs nutrients to recover and also fight infections.

You can then begin with Rice Mash. It is cooked rice which is mashed very well and sometimes even blended to suit the needs of the patient who cannot chew well.

Thick soups like Pumpkin Soup can be a part of your diet. This will keep you satiated while providing enough nutrients. Soft diet may continue for 2 days to a week, though is some patients it may prescribed for a little longer time.

The final step is to get back to your normal solid diet. Remember to re-introduce foods slowly back into your meals. Keep your portion size controlled and chew it well for better digestion. Take your medications on time and keep up your regular follow ups with your doctor and dietitan.

You need to add on foods that nourish your body with key nutrients. This means include fruits and vegetables and avoid the processed foods and junk. The reason is that post surgery constipation is a common problem and moreover refined and processed foods worsen this situation without providing much nutrition.

As you make your transition towards normal healthy eating, focus on protein, vitamins and minerals so that your body has the correct fuel to recover from surgery. Here is a list of foods which are best avoided.