APPROPRIATE FOOD TO EAT AFTER COLON RESECTION SURGERY

Had colon resection from UC in 1980, no specific diet just go with the flow but I try not to eat soup or liquid foods because the lack of absortion, bread and pizza are helpful you might try it with a small amount of sauce... but watch your cholesterol and weight !!!.  If youre going outdoors in the morning eat bread the night before to help absorb liquids and panckacke helps!  read that marshmellows help but have not tried it. I scuba dive, ride mtb,and try to be outdoors... its not easy sometimes but doable.

I had colon cancer surgery 5-1/2 months ago.  I was in 3rd stage.  I was fine but was a little weaker.  I did not eat chicken and seafood and fried food.   Everyday I drink a cup of water that was boiled with red dates and twice a week eat a bowl of black rice boiled with some herbs.

From 52kg I was down to 46kg.  Now I am back to 50kg.   I also refused chemo.

I had my colon removed 10 months ago. I'm amazed at how little "legit" info available on an appropriate diet. After 10 months, reading lots of blogs & such, I now realize it is because everyone' system is so individual! For me, dairy, sugar & alcohol is no problem as it is for so many others. My most discomfort is gas, including carbohydrates drinks - ugh, no more champagne! High protien small meals make me happy. I made a crunchy crisp Ceasar salad for the family...stuffed my mouthful, chewed & savored the taste, then spit it out in the sink. I miss diet Coke, salad, cabbage, broccoli, chili beans. However, after many years of being on a high fiber diet, I'm happy now to eat red meat, white bread, pasta galore & occasionally McDonalds. Have never needed Immodium the last ten months, i "go" 3-5 days a day, play golf, rock climb, zip line, walk 1 hour plus daily, I'm 56 years old with 8 grandchildren. Life is good without that toxic colon inside me! My hair, skin, nails & energy level greatly improved. I haven't had a cold, headache, or pimple in 10 months! A few set backs are nothing compared to too many years of living with a diseased colon!

I had colon resection surgery just a month ago. I too asked about what foods to eat or avoid. I was told at first don't eat anything that comes out the way it went in...lol. I guess I have been pretty lucky eating almost anything since surgery and they started me on clear liquids the night of my surgery. I have read intolerances others have had and in the last few days I feel perhaps that milk may be one of mine, as I had instant oatmeal w/ milk and milk in coffee and threw up 4 times after breakfast and a couple of days ago also. I have been only eating 3 meals but think perhaps smaller and closer together is best !

Mashed potatoes a favorite comfort food. Remember also when you go out to eat, if you get a veggie that is not soft enough just either when you order or after you get it ask if they could microwave it for you very soft.I have ordered that way or sent it back and they are happy to accommodate you!

Thanks to everyone that has given personal information because it has helped slot of us!

I had a total colectomy in 2009, having my entire colon removed followed by a colorectal surgery three weeks ago, removing my rectum, moving my herniated ostomy to the thee side and sewing up my butt hole. I recommend the following guide from the Clevland Clinic on the foods you should avoid during thriftiest 4-6 weeks after surgery;

***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

I had a total colectomy two years ago. Over time it does get better but the things I still need to avoid are:
anything stringy - like oranges, celery or anything with tough skin like chicken wings, the skin of a baked potato etc
anything small/round - like nuts, grapes, popcorn, corn, peas
Any raw veggies
I had a fantastic surgeon but also had a hard time getting straight answers. I think most doctors really don't have the answers.
I look at this way... If it's difficult to digest, I'm not going to eat it.
A year after my colectomy I had a bowel obstruction - worst pain EVER. It was caused by corn on the cob, of all things. My doctor said, small round things like corn won't get digested and they collect and form a ball, which causes the obstruction.
Hope that helps!

I have my large colon removed. I had a hard time in the beginning. What I did was keep a food diary. For the first week I ate a egg sandwich in the morning with tea, Lunch was a peanut butter sandwich. Dinner was a cheese sandwich. I never finished my meals. The next week I added a piece of fruit. I lost 20 pound just by having very small portions. But the diary really did help me out. It was time consuming. but I knew what I could have when we went out for dinner...

I had my colerectal resection about 2 and a half weeks ago and right now am going through the experimenting of foods and making sure what doesn't give me gas so that I can eliminate that until maybe one day, I will be ble to eat that particular food again. Let me walk you through my day when I get up in the morning. I can eat scrambled eggs with croissants. I can also eat cream of wheat, pancakes with a little bit of syrup. I don't eat pancakes very much though. I don't eat potatoes as they give me a lot of gas. I do eat a lot of jello, puddings, fruit cups, yogurt, and drink cran-apple juice and lots of water. I make my own chicken noodle soup and also can eat some chicken but I don't eat it very much just because it's too heavy for me. I have been walking some more than I was initially, of course because I still have a lot of pain but it is getting better. Although, I can't yet tolerate walking for long periods of time like 2 hours at a time because my incision (my tummy) gets really sore and then I have to take pain medication. Yes, I do cry a lot and I think it's because for me I have been dealing with divericulitis for so many years and it has taken a toll on me. I am definitely trying to be patient, as well, which I believe is something we all have to have when we as patients have had this surgery, I believe to better our lives. I honestly believe that things will get better for all of us that have been going through this for so long, we just have to have that patience. Ultimately, we are still alive and yes we might not be able to eat everything that we would love to eat but think about it**We were already watching what we were eating anyway, now we just have to introduce some foods along the way and see if we can eat some and if we have to eliminate some for our own good and quality of life. A change of lifestyle, I think shouldn't hurt anyone. I hope my story helped. Take care and I know we will all come out ahead of this. :)

Thank you for all this information! I go in for bowel resection Dec 7, 2015 and this diet help is great!

I had resection surgery my sigmoid colon in Jan 2015. After the surgery I developed a stricture in the site area. Eating has been difficult since, despite multiple stretching procedures. Anything that gives me gas gives me a lot of gas. That list includes: popcorn, cookies (anything with sugar), caffeine, Wine, processed foods. Oatmeal and cream of wheat always work. Fried foods often are a problem. I've taken magnesium to keep my stool loose, but I found out recently after a stretching procedure, AND a few glasses of wine, I have lots of gas and have to poop constantly like I did after surgery. Wondering if anybody else here has had a structure and is facing possible additional surgery. I'm very discouraged at times, especially yesterday when I can't make cookies with my daughter and friend without all this gas and pain.

I have had my colon remove soon be 3 years , can not find any thing that I can eat that don't seen be to the bathroom , I go every month and take two shots take pills and still have runny bowels so far I have not found any thing to help me , the cancer Dr has tried every thing for me every time of eat I have to get ready to hit the barroom .

Trying to finda out wait my hubby can eat it been about month cent they took his hole clonie out and he not been able to hold eny food on his tummy

Whole grain bread and pasta are high in fibre. Stick to white everything - bread, rice, pasta. Not so healthy but hopefully temporary.

Thanks this has been very helpful

10 years post opt perf colon still have to watch diet. Had peritonitis. Great surgeon but diet and bowels never the same. Resection 11 hours.