Bowel resection op next week, food query

Hi Sharptoothmints Yes I would say so and for a couple of weeks after? There’s some examples in the post below 

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/general/258088/low-residue-diet

Hope it all goes well

Take care

Karen x

Hi there. I had the same operation 4 week ago.  I had to eat the low fibre diet for 3 days before.   After also I think I stuck to it for longer than I needed to after (2 weeks) I was just super nervous but now I’m eating like a horse.  My food choices are more healthy now but when I first came home I ate what I fancied because with the stress and the operation I lost about a stone and a half.  I’m not good when I’m too light.  I did read in my booklet from the hospital and the doctor told me small and regular meals after is best.  I started to introduce fibre when I felt I was ready. 

Definitely give the hospital a try again.  

I hope it all goes well and take all the pain relief that they offer.  I did and I can honestly say I had no pain.  

xx

Hi, My operation is booked for 14th Jan. Currently on a 5 day low fibre diet. Hope all goes well next week.

In general, it won't hurt to do a low residue diet for a few days before surgery. So I'd suggest you do that if you can't reach your provider.  

I was told to stick to the low residue diet for 6 weeks after surgery and then reintroduce fiber slowly.  But I'd ask the doctor and follow those instructions.  

Hiya, 

I think everyone has already given you great advice about the low residue diet. I would also add that the main cause of discomfort for me after the operation was trapped wind. Any preparation that reduces the risk of getting that is worth it!

I've heard that peppermint tea is recommended for trapped wind, and did buy a box of tea bags before my op just in case, but never had to use them......

Thanks Pooh,

Peppermint tea and ginger tea were both ok, but Wind-eze was the only thing that worked reliably. Even now, trapped wind feels very different from how it felt before my operation, it’s more likely to be quite painful quite quickly now, so I’m still avoiding trumpy food

My written instructions were as the same as yours: stop solid food 24 hours before surgery and then a very restricted diet liquid only, then clear liquid. Of course you are getting cleared out by the laxative through this period.

I think everything is a bit more gentle than for the colonoscopy.

I was also given a couple of sachets of neutral flavoured 'pre-load' drinks to make up and take after the laxative and before the op - I think they are carbohydrate heavy and are aimed to help you recover more quickly from the surgery/