Have you just had your hernia surgery and don’t know what you should and shouldn’t include in your diet?
A balanced diet and proper hydration are important for a patient’s healing and quick recovery after hernia surgery. In this article, we have discussed some healthy food options you can consider adding to your post-surgery diet plan.
Top 5 Best Foods to Consume after Hernia Surgery
Right after completing the surgery, your doctor will restrict you from having any solid food and suggest only liquids for at least one or two days. After that, you can eat foods, but ensure you follow a healthy and well-balanced diet to help you recover quickly without complications.
Consume Protein-rich foods
Foods rich in protein help repair muscle and reduce the risks of inflammation after surgery. You should take an adequate amount of proteins according to your height and weight.
You can try adding foods like eggs, fish, chicken, nuts, and other protein-rich foods to your diet to get the adequate amount of proteins you need for your recovery.
Dairy Products
After the surgery, you can take dairy products like milk, cheese, and plain yogurt. However, eating dairy products can cause constipation in some patients. It is best to stop eating them if you encounter any side effects like heavy cough or constipation.
Fruits
Fruits rich in water, like watermelons and apples, and fruits rich in fiber, like bananas and pears, are the best fruits you can eat during this period. Fruits high in water can keep you hydrated, while fruits high in fiber can help with bowel movements and prevent indigestion.
Vegetables
You can also try having vegetables that are rich in fiber, like carrots, eggplants, green beans, spinach, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, etc. These foods are easy to digest and won’t cause any side effects like constipation or indigestion.
Consume Calcium-rich foods
Foods rich in calcium can help with bone development, muscle functioning, and nerve signaling. Some foods rich in calcium that you can add to your post-surgery diet are dairy products, green veggies, almonds, lentils, beans, etc.
Foods to avoid after Hernia Surgery
Your body will be very weak after a hernia surgery. Certain foods can cause acid reflux and be hard to digest. So, it is best to avoid those foods and not stress them too much. Try avoiding foods like
- Fried foods,
- Spicy foods,
- Red meat,
- Bread & biscuits,
- Coffee, etc.
Conclusion
A Hernia Health education is needed When you undergo a Hernia Surgery, Following a healthy diet is essential after every surgery. It not only helps you recover quickly but also gives you long-term benefits. Your diet also plays a role in ensuring you don’t get any complications or the hernia doesn’t reappear again.
Consult your doctor or a dietician and get a detailed diet plan on what you can and cannot eat after hernia surgery. Always listen to your doctor’s instructions and do what they say for a faster recovery.
FAQs
Here are some tips you can follow to ensure your safety and faster recovery after a hernia surgery.
Don’t move quickly
- Don’t lift heavy weights
- Stay active, go for walks, or do minor activities
- Eat healthy, nutritious foods
The time you need to stay on bed rest depends on your condition and how serious the surgery was. If it was a major surgery, you need to rest and do little activity for one or two weeks. If it is a minor surgery, you can start doing your daily activities after a few days or when you feel better.
