Eating after bowel surgery
After surgery it is common for your bowel habit to be erratic initially. You may experience
loose motions or diarrhoea that may be quite frequent, or you may become constipated
(unable to pass your bowel motions). The foods you eat may contribute to this. This
information is designed to give you advice to help regulate your bowel habit.
What to eat if you have diarrhoea
A diet high in fibre may make your diarrhoea worse, therefore a low residue (low fibre) diet
may help initially.
What are low residue foods?
Foods advised
Foods to be avoided
Clear or sieved soups
Soups containing vegetables (unless sieved)
Meat of all kinds
Meat dishes containing vegetable or onions
Fish of all kinds
Cheese
Eggs
Butter, fats and oils
White bread and white flour products
Wholemeal bread. Wholemeal flour,
wholegrain products, digestive biscuits,
fruit cake and fruit puddings
Plain biscuits
Plain sponge cake
Rise Krispies, Cornflakes or sieved porridge
All other high fibre cereal, eg. Weetabix,
Shredded Wheat
Mashed carrots/parsnips and cauliflower
(florets only - top).
Mashed, boiled and roast potatoes
All other vegetables
Pasta and rice
Wholemeal pasta, brown rice
Fruit juices
Raw fruit, dried fruit, nuts
Sugar, jelly, jam and shredless marmalade
Coarse marmalade and jams with pips or
skin
Drink plenty of water/fluids, eg. 10 - 12 cups
per day can help replace lost water
It is advisable to avoid spicy and greasy
foods, eg. curries and also alcohol
In the long-term, this kind of diet is not advisable and a gradual introduction of the ‘foods to
be avoided’ is a good idea, approximately 3 weeks after your operation.
If your diarrhoea persists or is interfering with your life, contact your GP for anti-diarrhoea
medication. You can also get this from the chemist, eg. Imodium, please follow the
instructions.
Sometimes eating a little fibre eg. 1 Weetabix or some wholemeal bread can help to absorb
excess fluid from your bowel motions and help to reduce your diarrhoea.
Your bowel habit should settle down and resume a more normal pattern within a few
weeks. If you are still having problems beyond this time please contact your GP.
What can I eat if I am constipated?
A diet high in fibre is beneficial, although this type of diet should be introduced gradually
following bowel surgery. A high fibre diet is a normal diet with high fibre options introduced.
Here are some guidelines:

Eat regularly at least 3 times a day

Eat wholemeal bread, high fibre cereals eg. All-Bran, Weetabix, Porridge and Muesli
etc. and wholemeal products, eg. pasta and brown rice

Drink plenty of fluids, at least 10 - 12 cups per day

Eat lots of vegetables

Eat fruit, nuts or high fibre biscuits as snacks, eg. Digestives or plain Hobnobs

Gentle exercise, eg. walking can also help

You can also take gentle laxatives, eg. Fybogel, but consult your GP
This kind of diet can be low in energy and if you have a small appetite or have lost weight
during your hospital stay, you should also eat a variety of foods and have perhaps several
smaller meals rather than 3 larger ones.
After a few weeks your eating habits should be returning to normal and you will start to gain
some weight. If this is not happening then see either your GP or the nurse specialist at the
hospital.
If you have any queries, or require further information
please contact the Colorectal Nurse Specialist on 01332 787236 or 01332 787237.
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