Cancer Colon Cancer Living With What to Eat After Colectomy Surgery Ensuring Good Nutrition Without Complications By Suzanne Dixon, MPH, RD twitter linkedin Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RDN, is an award-winning registered dietitian and epidemiologist, as well as an expert in cancer prevention and management. Learn about our editorial process Suzanne Dixon, MPH, RD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD on May 18, 2020 linkedin Douglas A. Nelson, MD, is a board-certified oncologist and hematologist who previously served for 13 years as a physician in the US Air Force. Learn about our Medical Review Board Douglas A. Nelson, MD on May 18, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Post-Surgical Nutrition Foods to Eat Food to Avoid Foods to Limit Other Eating Tips If you've had any type of colectomy surgery, chances are you've been told you need to follow a colectomy diet. As your colon heals from surgery, there are foods that are easier and harder to digest. Some foods may help ease your symptoms, while others may complicate them. By knowing the difference can help speed your recovery and put back onto a more routine and stable diet. Adam Gault / Getty Images Post-Surgical Nutrition For the first 2 to 3 days after a colectomy, you'll probably receive only IV fluids to give your colon time to heal. After that, you'll be transitioned to a clear liquid diet. As the name implies, this means only liquids that you can see through, such as broth, fruit juices without pulp (for example, apple juice), sodas, and gelatin. Once you're ready to start eating solid food again, the first foods you eat will be easy-to-digest foods, such as toast and oatmeal. Understanding Colon Surgery Diets Foods to Eat Some of the common symptoms you might experience after a colectomy include diarrhea and dehydration. These symptoms can happen because your colon has not yet resumed normal functioning. One of the things the colon does is absorb liquid—if it's not doing that properly, diarrhea and dehydration may result. Foods that are easy-to-digest and can help to minimize diarrhea include: ApplesauceBananas, pears, peaches, and melonsBoiled white riceCooked beets, spinachWhite bread or toastCream of rice or cream of wheatLow-sugar cereals (avoid high fiber cereals such as wheat bran)PastaPeanut butterPotatoesPretzelsYogurtTapioca and angel food cake Other easy-to-get soft, low-residue foods include eggs, cooked fish or tender meat, mild cheese, soft-cooked fruits or vegetables, puddings, sherbet, and ice cream. Food to Avoid Since you are still healing, it's best to avoid foods that might carry the risk of infection, such as non-pasteurized soft cheeses (choose only pasteurized cheese), undercooked meat, or uncooked fish (avoid sushi for the time being). Be sure to wash any fruits or vegetables thoroughly. Not only may you be more susceptible to an infection, but food poisoning shortly after a colectomy could very well land you back in the hospital. If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea upon returning home from a colectomy, call your doctor immediately. Violent vomiting, in particular, can lead to an incisional hernia, a common complication of colectomy surgery. Foods to Limit You will be able to go back to your normal diet after surgery, but you may find that some foods you used to eat are difficult to digest. It is best to avoid these foods for now. Over time, your body will adjust and you should be able to eat what you want. No two people respond the same way after a colectomy, so you take your time to find out which foods work for you and which don't. If you're unsure about a certain food, start by eating smaller quantities, adding a little bit more with each meal. Eating a smaller variety of foods also makes it easier to identify which food is responsible if something doesn't agree with you. It is generally better to eat smaller meals every three hours or so rather than overtaxing your digestive tract with one large meal. Snacking also keeps the digestion moving and helps minimize constipation or diarrhea. Among the foods you may need to limit until your body adjusts to a colectomy include: Raw vegetables, particularly "gassy" vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, radishes, and asparagusOther less-digestible vegetables such as celery, corn, mushrooms, and, onionSkins and peels of fruit, particularly acid fruitDried fruits, such as raisins and datesDairy productsHigh-fiber food such as wheat bran cereals and breadBeans, peas, and lentilsNuts and seeds (especially if you have diverticulosis)PopcornBrown rice and wild riceCakes, pies, cookies, and other baked sweetsHigh-fat and fried foodBeer, red wine, and hard liquorHot soup or drinksCaffeine, including coffee and chocolateVery spicy foodLicoricePrune juice It can take time for your body to readjust to high-fiber foods. Try adding back one high-fiber food at a time so you don't overwhelm your system (which can lead to constipation). Remain patient and listen to your body as you slowly advance your diet. If you feel sick to your stomach or full, then stop eating or slow down. Other Eating Tips In addition to eating the right foods, be sure to drink plenty of water (8 to 10 cups per day) to help your body digest food and eliminate waste. Some people find it helpful to place a full pitcher of water in the fridge each day, to make sure they get enough fluids. Your fluids don't all have to be water. Apple juice and cranberry juice count as part of your requirements as well. Chewing your food very well is important after a colectomy, and most of us do not chew our food enough. Try to chew your food until it has a liquidy texture before swallowing. This is especially important with meats, or larger foods which might cause a blockage if not broken down before swallowing. Irrespective of your condition, it is important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. If needed, work with a dietitian to design a plan with the right amount of carbs, fats, and proteins based on your age, weight, and level of physical activity. A Word From Verywell If you are worried about eating after colectomy surgery (or have a loved one undergoing the surgery), please speak with your doctor and dietician, so you can transition well and confidently. Don't be afraid to ask very specific questions about what you can or can't eat. Making sure that all of your questions are answered before you leave the hospital can go a long way towards ensuring your comfort when you go home. Foods to Eat After a J-Pouch Surgery Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Total abdominal colectomy. Updated September 3, 2018. Cleveland Clinic. Eating right and avoiding dehydration after bowel surgery. Updated Sept 3, 2010. Hogan BV, Peter MB, Shenoy HG, Horgan K, Hughes TA. Surgery induced immunosuppression. Surgeon. 2011;9(1):38-43. doi:10.1016/j.surge.2010.07.011 Additional Reading U.S. National Library of Medicine. Medline Plus. Total Colectomy or Proctocolectomy Discharge.