Appendicitis, or inflammation of your appendix, is one of the most common conditions of the abdomen that requires emergency surgery, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Your appendix doesn’t play a major role in digestion, so you may not need to make any lasting changes to your diet after surgery to remove your appendix, called an appendectomy.
However, there may be foods to avoid after appendix surgery to limit abdominal pain and ease digestion. Talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian about your diet needs after surgery and during your recovery.
Appendicitis Recovery: Avoid Solid Foods at First
Right after you wake up from surgery, your doctor will likely let you take small sips of water until you have fully recovered from the anesthesia. Once you’re ready to eat, you may want to start by eating easy-to-digest foods like soups and yogurt, according to University of Wisconsin Health.
After abdominal surgery, you may have a hard time digesting regular food. So, your doctor may suggest that you follow a full liquid diet, which is made up of liquids and foods that turn to liquid at room temperature. Meals on a liquid diet might include smoothies, soups, shakes, broth, gelatin, and ice pops, according to Mayo Clinic.
You have to avoid solid food while you’re on the liquid diet. That includes any food that you’d need to chew, including:
- Whole fruits and vegetables
- Meats, poultry, and fish
- Eggs
- Beans
- Bread
- Cold cereal
- Rice and pasta
Your doctor determines when it’s safe for you to start eating regular food after your surgery.
Avoid Foods That Can Cause Constipation
When you get the green light from your doctor, start eating foods that are easy to digest. Some examples are cooked vegetables, soup, rice, bananas, and lean proteins.
Avoid foods that can cause constipation, according to Kaiser Permanente. These foods include:
- Dairy products
- Processed foods like pizza and frozen dinners
- Red meat
- Packaged sweets like cakes, pies, pastries, and donuts
- Caffeinated beverages
Eat Plenty of Fiber
It can take some time for your bowels to return to normal after surgery, according to the National Health Service. It’s important to eat plenty of fiber after surgery once you’re back on solid foods, particularly if you’re taking pain medication that can contribute to constipation.
Foods rich in fiber include:
- Seeds
- Beans
- Various fruits and veggies
- Whole-grains
Be sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water, too.
If you’re struggling to eat much after appendix surgery and have constipation as a result, tell your doctor about your symptoms. A healthcare provider may be able to prescribe a stool softener, and help you find food and drinks that you can comfortably consume.
Ease Back Into Your Regular Diet
Appendicitis recovery time depends on what type of surgery you had. According to Cleveland Clinic, there are two types of appendix surgery: A laparoscopic procedure done through a small cut or an open surgery done through a larger cut. Either way, you should be able to go home one day after your operation and recover well enough to return to your normal activities in a couple of weeks.
Once you’re on the road to recovery, eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. That can help you get enough daily fiber to meet your needs, which range from 25 to 28 grams (g) per day for women and 28 to 34 g per day for men, according to the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about returning to a normal diet after appendix surgery. Also, tell the doctor if you have symptoms like inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement, persistent nausea or vomiting, worsening or severe pain, or fever.
