Published: March 19, 2010
Mayo Clinic Health Letter Offers Tips on Healthy Eating After Surgery -- When Eating Isn't Easy
ROCHESTER, Minn. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Good nutrition, with adequate calories and protein, is important to
healing and recovery after major surgery. But the stress of surgery and
follow-up care can depress the appetite, alter the taste of food and
make it difficult to eat and digest food, sometimes for weeks or months.
In fact, most people lose 5 to 10 percent of their body weight after a
major surgery because of poor appetite and increased nutrition needed
for healing.
The March issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers tips to address
common concerns about eating post-surgery.
No appetite or feeling full quickly: Frequent small meals throughout the
day may help, as could the easy availability of favorite foods. A walk
before mealtime could help stimulate hunger. At mealtime, eating
high-protein foods first is important, because protein is needed for
healing.
Milk, juice or nutrition supplements can boost calories as well as
vitamins and minerals between meals. Nutrition supplement options
include Boost, Carnation Instant Breakfast, Enlive, Ensure and Resource
Breeze.
Food doesn't taste right: Spices can perk up bland-tasting foods. A
sprinkle of sugar may help when foods taste bitter or salty. Red meat
may seem to have a metallic taste, which may be avoided by marinating
the meat.
Feeling nauseated: Nausea is often worse on an empty stomach. Eating a
cracker or pretzel upon waking and every couple of hours can ease the
feeling. Eating small amounts of food and eating slowly also can help
overcome nausea.
Too tired to prepare food: Friends, relatives or community resources,
such as Meals on Wheels, could provide meals during recovery. Another
option is healthier frozen dinners, which can be prepared quickly.
Sore throat, mouth or tongue: Soft foods may be easier on the mouth and
easier to swallow. Avoiding spicy, salty or hot foods helps prevent
irritation. Alcohol can irritate mouth tissues, and acidic foods are
best avoided.
Post-surgery is not the time to try to lose unwanted pounds. A lack of
nutrition can cause dehydration and an inability to heal. When eating
problems persist, patients should check with their surgery team for
options. Occasionally, nourishment provided directly into the stomach or
intestines through a tube may be needed.
Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of
reliable, accurate and practical information on today's health and
medical news. To subscribe, please call 800-333-9037 (toll-free),
extension 9771, or visit www.HealthLetter.MayoClinic.com.
Mayo Clinic
Ginger Plumbo, 507-284-5005 (days) or
507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu
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