X-ray image of a colon.
Anyone preparing for colon surgery is well aware of what his or her diet should be; doctors are careful to alert their patients to what they can and cannot ingest prior to the procedure. Indeed, the final 48 hours is typically a liquid-only diet. What is less clear, though, is what type of diet should follow colon surgery? Diet planning post-op will ease the recovery process.
Days One and Two
The first couple days should be like your last two---liquid-only diet. This is testing time: Can your colon handle a liquid diet well? Two days of liquids only should let you know one way or the other. The first two days after surgery, then, shouldn't include any solid foods entering your body.
Days Three and Four
If the previous two days of liquid dieting came and went with no apparent problems, then try a few easy-to-digest solid foods. While you're still not ready for a steak or potato chips, it is OK to eat items like pudding, yogurt, rice, a milkshake, apple sauce, plain noodles, and oatmeal or porridge. These foods won't damage your colon or impede the healing process, but they will get your colon used to the idea of solid foods and their texture again.
Day Five and Beyond
If the first two days of liquid diet followed by the next two days of easy solid foods passed without a hitch, the time has come to introduce your colon to real, bona fide solid foods. Feel free now, though gingerly, to return to your regular diet. This doesn't mean it's a good idea to stuff yourself with a massive meal (you will, after all, be quite hungry for "real" food by this point). Discipline yourself not to overeat. Be cautious of foods high in fat, green leafy vegetables and other gas-inducing foods. Your colon is still tender, and gas can cause serious pain at this stage. If you find that your colon isn't agreeing with whatever you're eating, go back to a light, east-to-digest diet---or a liquid diet---for a day or two, just to clear things up.
