After an appendectomy, one should prepare for the fact that one of the main recovery measures will be a diet, adherence to which will allow a quicker return to a normal lifestyle, restoring the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract. To understand what can be eaten after appendicitis, it is advisable to consult with a doctor who will provide recommendations based on the patient's medical history. In general, the diet will last for about 14 days, and its duration will depend on the presence or absence of complications after the surgery.
The most crucial and challenging period is the first 24 hours after surgery. During this time, the patient is not allowed to eat or drink, and the maximum that can be done is moisten dry lips. During this period, the body must allocate all its resources for recovery
What can you eat in the first 3 days after surgery
If the post-operative condition is good, at the end of the first day, a small portion of low-fat chicken broth, sweet fruit jelly, or rice decoction can be given
In the diet for the next 2 days, it is allowed to include
- Low-fat chicken broth;
- mashed potatoes;
- rice cooked in water;
- pumpkin or zucchini puree;
- plain yogurt (no additives, non-fat);
- boiled and mashed chicken meat.
Allowed to be consumed in small portions, approximately 5-6 times a day.
Diet after appendectomy for the next 7 days.
Three days after appendicitis surgery, the patient's diet should consist solely of fresh foods prepared in the form of very liquid soups or porridge. This will help reduce the load on the intestines and stomach. At the same time, it is important to consume primarily broths made from chicken meat. This is the least fatty type of meat, which is considered a common dietary product. Chicken is easily digestible and relatively affordable.
Vegetable pureed soups made from zucchini, potatoes, beets, and carrots are beneficial. You can use a small amount of rice as a grain. These products contain vitamins A and C, which have a positive impact on the body's recovery and promote rapid healing of internal tissues. To prepare pureed soup, you should boil all the ingredients and blend them until they reach a liquid puree-like consistency. To aid digestion, you can add dill and parsley to the finished pureed soup.
Don't forget to consume liquids, which is also crucial for the recovery of the digestive system. You can drink water as well as natural juices, herbal teas, and homemade compotes. It's also better to prepare juices yourself. If it's not possible, it's best not to buy them in the store and stick to daily consumption of 1.5 liters of plain water.
The more days pass since the surgery, the more diverse the menu can be. After 2-3 days, in addition to porridge and chicken meat, you can introduce dairy products: kefir, low-fat cottage cheese, natural yogurt with bifidobacteria. These products are easily digestible and do not provoke negative reactions from the intestines and stomach.
It's possible that the patient's bed rest may lead to constipation (which can also be triggered by certain medications). In such cases, dietary fiber should be introduced into the diet: dried fruits, boiled carrots, rosehip (in the form of decoction), baked apples. In any case, it's advisable to consult with a dietitian initially.
Rapid recovery of the body is promoted by the source of beta-carotene - pumpkin. The group of vitamins found in pumpkin has a beneficial effect on blood clotting, accelerates metabolic processes, and increases the digestibility of all foods. Pumpkin should be consumed in the form of porridge or pureed soup.
In general, the list of foods that can be eaten after appendectomy may vary and depends on the individual characteristics of each patient. Diets can be adjusted depending on the post-operative condition, proper diet adherence, medication schedule, and other doctor's recommendations.
What to eat after appendicitis, one-week diet
First day (24 hours after surgery):
- Breakfast: a cup of sugar-free tea with "Maria" biscuits (1 piece).
- Second breakfast: juice, water, or tea;
- Lunch: chicken broth, rice or oatmeal cooked in water without butter. Drink with non-carbonated mineral water or unsweetened tea (or freshly squeezed juice);
- Snack: water, juice, or tea;
- Dinner: tea and 1 "Maria" biscuit (or, optionally, low-fat yogurt).
Second day:
- Breakfast: unsalted non-dairy porridge (buckwheat, oatmeal, corn, or barley) without butter. Unsweetened tea with unsweetened biscuits or bran;
- Second breakfast: non-carbonated water or freshly squeezed juice;
- Lunch: broth with a small amount of meat and mashed potatoes, stewed cabbage without tomato paste, non-carbonated water or tea;
- Snack: jelly or low-fat yogurt;
- Dinner: any porridge cooked in water without butter. Low-fat kefir.
Third day:
- Breakfast: non-dairy oatmeal or wheat porridge (lightly salted), 1 hard-boiled egg, unsweetened tea, and a few crackers;
- Second breakfast: tea with biscuits, freshly squeezed juice, non-carbonated water;
- Lunch: chicken broth with carrots and potatoes, rice porridge cooked in water without butter but lightly salted, compote made from dried fruits;
- Snack: jelly or low-fat yogurt;
- Dinner: oatmeal with boiled fish. Tea or non-carbonated water.
Fourth day:
- Breakfast: non-dairy oatmeal without butter (lightly salted), a piece of bread with cheese, tea with half a teaspoon of sugar;
- Second breakfast: fresh juice and dry biscuits;
- Lunch: vegetable puree soup, buckwheat porridge with steamed chicken cutlets, rye bread, and apple compote;
- Snack: low-fat yogurt or jelly;
- Dinner: a small serving of stewed cabbage with pieces of chicken meat, low-fat kefir or tea.
Fifth day:
- Breakfast: wheat porridge cooked in water (from the fifth day, you can add a small amount of butter), slightly sweetened tea, dry biscuits;
- Second breakfast: dry biscuits and fresh juice;
- Lunch: vegetable soup in chicken broth with a small amount of rice, pumpkin porridge with steamed fish patties, rye bread, sweet tea or dried fruit compote;
- Snack: low-fat yogurt or jelly;
- Dinner: buckwheat porridge cooked in water, lightly salted and lightly seasoned with butter, steamed fish cutlets, sweetened tea with "Maria" biscuits.
Sixth day:
- Breakfast: buckwheat porridge cooked in water with a small piece of butter, bread with cheese, sweetened tea;
- Second breakfast: non-carbonated water or fresh juice, dry biscuits;
- Lunch: vegetable puree soup in chicken broth, stewed cabbage with chicken meat without tomato sauce, rye bread, tea;
- Snack: jelly or low-fat yogurt;
- Dinner: cottage cheese casserole without sour cream, tea with biscuits or bread.
What not to eat after appendicitis
It's important to take care of compiling a list of prohibited foods - this will make it easier to adhere to the right diet. Most importantly, minimize salt consumption, or better yet, avoid it for 14 days. The same goes for spices (including pepper) - they can cause negative reactions in the gastrointestinal tract and prolong the recovery period.
It is important to exclude beans, peas, beans, and tomatoes from the diet, as well as to avoid drinking milk. They can trigger intestinal colic, gas formation, and spasms. Considering the presence of postoperative stitches, this can lead to discomfort and painful sensations.
For at least 14 days after appendectomy surgery, it is advisable to avoid smoked foods, fatty meats, sausages (both smoked and boiled), mayonnaise, ketchup, and sauces. These are foods that require significant energy expenditure for digestion, and that energy should be directed towards postoperative recovery. Neglecting this prohibition can lead to prolonged digestion and complications, including wound dehiscence or infection.
Carbonated beverages (including carbonated mineral water) should also be excluded from the diet for the entire recovery period. In addition to prohibited and allowed foods, there are those that do not belong to either of these groups. These include dried fruits, honey, buttermilk, or yogurt, and the like. Consultation with a doctor is necessary regarding the possibility of consuming these items.
The main rule is to consume as many foods as possible that promote the recovery of the gastrointestinal tract and to avoid overloading the stomach for at least the first 2 weeks after the surgery.
Chocolate after appendicitis
We do not recommend eating chocolate after an appendectomy surgery.
Some doctors may allow consuming chocolate after an appendectomy if the patient strictly adheres to a low-residue diet and obtains permission from their healthcare provider. However, it's important to consider individual preferences and the specific recommendations of the attending physician regarding the patient's post-operative diet.
The appendix is located in the intestine and is connected to the large intestine. The intestine helps food pass into the colon and eliminate waste products. If a person has appendicitis and it is removed, they lose this connection, so any ingested food cannot exit the body. This can lead to various complications related to the stomach, such as constipation or diarrhea; it's worth noting that these issues can also occur if someone has an ileostomy pouch.
Can you eat bananas after appendicitis
Bananas can be eaten after appendicitis, as the body doesn't produce as much potassium when it's unwell, so it's unlikely that a person will overdose.
Bananas are a good source of potassium, and they should be consumed in moderation with an interval of at least 8 hours between servings.
It is recommended to eat bananas after appendicitis because they can help in the healing process, but it's best to consult with a doctor before trying something new.
Physical activity after appendicitis
The most important thing after appendicitis is to recover. Typically, this means staying in bed and avoiding strenuous activities.
After the pain is gone, you can start exercising again, but it may take some time for your body to recover. In any case, it is recommended to consult with a doctor before starting any exercises.
Exercises are an important part of recovery after appendectomy. They help the body recover faster, prevent complications, and promote a healthy lifestyle.
One of the most common questions people ask is when they can start exercising after appendectomy? The answer to this question depends on your doctor's recommendations. Typically, physical exercises are not recommended for up to 6 weeks after the surgery, but some people may start light exercises earlier.
When you can start exercising, it's important to do it gradually and within your capabilities. This may mean performing only low-intensity exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga during the first few weeks after the surgery and then gradually increasing. Keep in mind that your doctor will likely advise against contact sports, as they may cause abdominal pain and shortness of breath in children.
Cucumbers after appendicitis
Typically, you can incorporate cucumbers into your diet around 4-6 weeks after appendectomy when the pain and discomfort have subsided. Dietary recommendations after surgery may vary depending on your condition and your doctor's individual instructions. Remember the importance of following a healthcare professional's advice for post-operative recovery.
Typically, people who have had an appendectomy can safely consume a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes both beef and cucumbers. However, before trying any new foods, it's important to discuss it with your doctor, especially after a surgical procedure, to ensure it's safe and appropriate for your condition.
Cucumbers are not typically a part of the regular diet after appendicitis.
It is not recommended to eat cucumbers after appendicitis as they can worsen the condition.