Diet After Hiatal Hernia Surgery

Before we begin to talk about a diet after hiatal hernia surgery, it is important to understand what a hiatal hernia is. Remember that a hernia occurs when any internal body part pushes beyond a confining wall into an area it does not belong to. The hiatus is an opening in the diaphragm. Under normal circumstances, the food pipe or esophagus goes through this hiatus to drain into the stomach. A hiatal hernia or hiatus hernias as it is called occurs when the stomach pushes it way up through this opening.

Surgery is one way of correcting a hiatal hernia; the other is by following a diet. However, a diet after hiatal hernia surgery is crucial for the patient’s recovery as well. Once the hiatal hernia surgery is over, the patient will slowly be able to resume a normal diet. Most patients generally go back to their regular diet a day or so after the surgery. However, do check with your doctor before you start eating regular food again. Keep the following points in mind while planning a hiatal hernia diet after surgery.

A diet after hiatal hernia surgery should include small meals. It is essential that you consume clear liquids for the first two weeks after the surgery. Clear liquids include foods like popsicles, jelly, ice chips, water, fruit juice and broth. Stay clear of any thick liquids, chewing gum, candies, and particularly solid foods. Remember that hiatal hernia surgery is major surgery and the incisions that are made into the abdomen require some weeks to heal. Surgery entails pulling your stomach out of the esophagus and therefore it is essential that the organs heal properly before you start eating regular food. This is why clear liquids and not solid foods (as outlined above) are recommended. Once you reach the third week after recovery, your diet can include soft foods such as oatmeal, pudding, strained soups, milkshakes and yogurt. By the fifth week, your diet after hiatal hernia surgery can contain mashed potatoes, fish, ground beef, and pastas and so on. Raw vegetables, bread and meats should be avoided. See also hiatal hernia foods to avoid

Remember that your incisions will take about 3 months to heal so any hiatal hernia exercise after surgery that you wish to do, should be put off till then. Be careful if you are lifting, twisting or bending your body within the first three months of surgery. Hiatal hernia weight loss after surgery is recommended as this helps reduce the pressure on the stomach.

Submitted on January 16, 2014