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.

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.

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

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.

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

2.      Sugary treats like cake, bisuicts eitc.

cake

3.      Cheese

Cheese

4.      Carbonated beverages

Soft Drink

5.      Fried foods

Fried Mozzarella Sticks

6.      Pasta and noodles

Noodles

7.      Spicy foods

Kala Chana Spicy Subzi

8.      Tea and coffee

Tea

9.      Alcohol

Alcohol

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.