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Surgery is done to remove cancer cells and nearby tissue. It
is often combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
After surgery, the body needs extra calories and protein for
wound healing
and recovery. At this time, many people have some pain and fatigue.
They also
may be unable to eat a normal diet because of surgery-related side
effects.
The body's ability to use nutrients may also be changed by surgery that
takes
out any part of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon,
or
rectum.
Nutrition suggestions for people recovering
from cancer surgery
If you've had surgery, remember that many side effects will go
away within
a few days of the operation. Certain drugs, self-care practices, and
changes
in diet can help lessen any side effects you may have. If they last, be
sure
to tell your doctor, nurse, dietitian, or other member of your health
care
team.
Eating a healthy diet while recovering from surgery can help
you:
- feel better
- keep up your strength and energy
- keep up your weight and your body’s store of
nutrients
- tolerate treatment-related side effects
- decrease your risk of infection
- heal and recover quickly
Eat as well as you can on days when your appetite is good. Try
to eat regular meals and snacks, but don't be too hard on yourself if
side effects make it hard to eat. Also, try eating small, frequent
meals or snacks.
Don't be afraid to ask family and friends for help with
shopping for groceries and preparing meals.
Keep in mind that foods and drinks that are low in fat and
easy to digest are easier to tolerate than high-fat items such as fried
or greasy foods.
As you recover, make sure to take in plenty of fluids (at
least eight 8-oz glasses each day unless directed otherwise by your
doctor) to prevent dehydration. Sip water, juices, and other clear
liquids throughout the day.
Talk to your health care team about how soon you can go back
to your normal, day-to-day activities. Ease into a more vigorous
exercise routine if your doctor approves.
The day or night before surgery, you may not be allowed to eat
or drink anything. After the operation, it may be several hours or even
1 or 2 days before you can eat normal foods and liquids. If you haven't
eaten for more than a day or 2, your doctor may let you eat only
easy-to-digest foods and drinks at first. Here is a typical example of
a how a patient is gradually allowed to resume eating after surgery:
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First Step - Clear liquids
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plain gelatin
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clear, carbonated drinks
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sports drinks
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weak tea
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juices
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clear, fat free broth
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strained citrus juices
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bouillon
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fruit ices
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consommé
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popsicles
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strained vegetable broth
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strained lemonade
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water
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Second Step - Easy-to-digest foods (add to the clear
liquids in 1st Step)
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plain crackers
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white bread, rolls
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"instant" hot cereal
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white rice, noodles, potatoes
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angel food cake
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fruit nectars
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all juices
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soft or baked custard
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canned, peeled fruits and vegetables
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plain puddings
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lean beef, fish, skinless chicken or turkey
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plain milkshakes
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strained, blenderized broth-based or cream soups
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smooth ice cream
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refined cereals
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carton or frozen yogurt
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milk, all types
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ice milk
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pasteurized eggnog
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3rd
Step: Regular diet
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All the foods
you normally eat are generally okay, though certain foods may cause
problems.
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Be careful of
foods that cause gas, such as beans, melons, cruciferous vegetables
(broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage), milk, and milk products.
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You may not do
well with high fat, greasy, or deep-fat-fried foods.
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Try to eat
smaller, more frequent meals.
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Side effects of cancer surgery that can
affect eating
After surgery, the type of side effects you might have and how
long they
last depend on the type of surgery and on your overall health. The
following
is a list of common side effects after surgery for cancer of different
parts
of the body.
Tongue
- trouble chewing and swallowing
- taste changes
- dry mouth
- sore mouth
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
Jaw or Gums
- trouble chewing
- taste changes
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- dry mouth
- sore mouth
Esophagus
- heartburn
- indigestion
- feeling of fullness when eating
- trouble swallowing
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
Stomach
- feeling of fullness when eating
- acid stomach
- fat intolerance
- milk intolerance
- severe diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
Small intestine resection
(For more information, please refer to the American Cancer
Society’s separate documents Urostomy:
A Guide
or Ileostomy:
A Guide.)
- decreased absorption of nutrients from food
- fat intolerance
- milk intolerance
- diarrhea
- dehydration
- gas
- cramping
- constipation
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
Colon resection
- foods pass through your system more quickly (increased
transit
time)
- diarrhea
- dehydration
- bloating
- gas
- cramping
- decreased absorption of nutrients from foods
- constipation
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
Rectum resection
- increased rectal pressure
- constipation
- rectal burning
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
Pancreas
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- fat intolerance
- constipation
- bloating
- gas
- high blood sugar
Lung
- shortness of breath
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- feeling of fullness when eating
Breast
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- swelling of arm and hand
- limited shoulder and arm movement
Prostate
- changes in urination habits
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
Brain
- changes in appetite and sleep (if on steroid medications)
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- fatigue
Gynecological (Ovarian, Uterine, Cervical)
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- feeling of fullness when eating
- bloating
- gas
Revised: 02/04/2008
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