Post Surgery Indian Diet
A surgery is a stress on the functioning of the body. It affects the working of your body. Your body needs time to heal and recover the wound. Recovery and effectiveness depends on what you eat.
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.
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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
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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.
Homemade Strained Barley Water Recipe, Clear Fluid Recipe
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.
Homemade Strained Carrot Juice
Full Liquid Diet and Soft Diet after Surgery
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.
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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.
Mango Yogurt for Babies How To Make Mango Yoghurt
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.
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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.
Rice Mash for Babies
Mashed Potatoes pepper up with salt and pepper are allowd at this stage.
Mashed Potatoes, Bland Food, Lactose Free
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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.
Pumpkin Soup, Low Calorie Soup
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.
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Foods to Avoid for Post Surgery Diet
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.
1. Processed foods like maida, bread etc.
Bread
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2. Sugary treats like cake, bisuicts eitc.
cake
3. Cheese
Cheese
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4. Carbonated beverages
Soft Drink
5. Fried foods
Fried Mozzarella Sticks
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6. Pasta and noodles
Noodles
7. Spicy foods
Kala Chana Spicy Subzi
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8. Tea and coffee
Tea
9. Alcohol
Alcohol
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10. Red Meat
P.S. This is a general Post Surgery Diet. Depending on the surgery and other complications certain foods may be allowed and not allowed individually. So we recommend, you follow such diets under your doctor’s and dietitian’s supervision.