Colectomy Diet

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.

• Care notes
• Aftercare
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
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You will need to make changes to the foods you eat for about 6 weeks after surgery. These changes will help your colon heal and prevent certain problems that can occur when you have an ostomy. These problems include odor, gas, diarrhea, or obstruction (blockage in your intestines). After you heal, you can eat the foods you regularly ate before surgery.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your doctor if:

• You are urinating less than usual or your urine is dark.
• You feel dizzy when you stand.
• You feel extremely tired.
• You have abdominal cramps.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Foods you can eat after surgery:

You will be given clear liquids right after surgery. Examples include clear juices, coffee or tea (with no cream or milk), gelatin, and broth. Next, you will be allowed to eat low-fiber foods. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you limit fiber to 8 to 13 grams each day.

• Grains: Choose grains that have less than 2 grams of fiber in each serving. Examples include the following:
  • Cream of wheat and finely ground grits
  • Dry cereal made from rice
  • White bread, white pasta, and white rice
  • Crackers, bagels, and rolls made from white or refined flour
• Fruits and vegetables:
  • Canned and well-cooked fruit without skins or seeds, and juice without pulp
  • Ripe bananas and soft melon
  • Canned and well-cooked vegetables without skins or seeds, and strained vegetable juice
  • Potatoes without skin
  • Shredded lettuce on a sandwich
• Dairy:
  • Cow's milk, lactose-free milk, soy milk, and rice milk
  • Yogurt without nuts, fruit, or granola
• Protein:
  • Eggs, fish, and tender, well-cooked poultry (such as chicken and turkey) and beef
  • Tofu and smooth peanut butter

Foods you should avoid after surgery:

Do not eat high-fiber foods right after surgery because they are harder to digest. Avoid foods that cause gas, odors, and diarrhea. Do not eat foods that may cause a blockage.

• Foods that are high in fiber:
  • Whole-grain foods such as whole-wheat breads, brown rice, or oats
  • Raw fruits and vegetables
  • Dried fruit
  • Dried beans
  
  
• Foods that may cause blockage:
  • Vegetable and fruit skins
  • Apples, dried fruit, grapes, and pineapple
  • Celery, corn, cucumber, green peppers, peas, and bean sprouts
  • Salad greens, cabbage, coleslaw, and spinach
  • Casing on sausage and tough, fibrous meats such as steaks
  • Nuts (such as almonds and pecans) and peanuts
• Foods that may cause gas or odor:
  • Apples, bananas, grapes, prunes, and melons
  • Asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and corn
  • Onions, garlic, or leeks
  • Cucumber, green pepper, onions, radishes, and turnips
  • Alcohol
  • Cheese, peanuts, dried beans and peas, eggs, and fish
  • Carbonated drinks such as sodas
• Foods that may cause diarrhea:
  • Alcohol
  • Apricots, plums, peaches, prunes, and fresh or dried fruit
  • Fruit juice
  • Beans, fried meats, fish, poultry (chicken or turkey), nuts, or seeds
  • Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, corn peas, tomatoes, turnip greens, and green leafy vegetables
  • Bran, wheat, and other whole grains
  • Licorice and sugar-free substitutes
  • Spicy foods
  • Drinks with caffeine
  • Foods high in fat and sugar

Nutrition guidelines you should follow after surgery:

• Drink plenty of liquids as directed. Your dietitian or healthcare provider may recommend that you have at least 8 to 10 eight-ounce cups of liquid each day.
• Take small bites of food and chew them well. This will allow your body to better digest and absorb nutrients. This will also help to prevent a blockage and decrease gas.
• Eat small amounts of food every 2 to 4 hours. Your appetite may be lower than normal right after surgery. Eat regularly throughout the day to get enough nutrients. Regular meals and snacks will also help decrease gas.
• Eat your largest meals in the middle of the day. This will decrease the amount of bowel movement that comes from your stoma at night.
• Avoid acidic, spicy, high-sugar, and high-fat foods. These foods can cause diarrhea. Acidic foods include citrus fruits such as oranges.
• Avoid chewing gum, drinking with straws, smoking, and chewing tobacco. This will help to decrease gas.
• Take vitamin or mineral supplements as directed. Chewable or liquid forms are the best types.

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