A hernia develops when an organ protrudes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle and connective tissue. Surgery is a common treatment for hernias, as roughly 600,000 hernia surgeries are performed every year. Although you don’t need to modify your diet as severely as you would after gallbladder removal surgery, you should still make some changes to ensure your recovery goes smoothly. Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to your diet after hernia surgery.
Less is More
Hernia surgery will mean you’ll need to stay off your feet for some time after the operation. This means you won’t be able to get your regular exercise or burn off as many calories as normal. Try to avoid over-eating in the weeks after hernia surgery.
Avoiding Constipation
Your pain meds and lack of movement will put you at an elevated risk for constipation after hernia surgery. Be sure to eat fiber-rich foods like dark veggies and beans, and strive for at least eight cups of water a day to stay hydrated.
Hit All The Food Groups
You may not need to avoid certain foods after hernia surgery (although you should avoid excess junk food), but you should strive to get a balanced mix of food from all the food groups. By doing this, you’ll ensure that your body gets the right amount of nutrients to improve healing.
Protein
One food group to ensure you hit is protein, which aids in the repair of tissue damage. It’s also necessary for immune health and for reducing inflammation. Good sources of protein include lean red meat, fish, eggs and beans.
Hiatal Hernia Care
A hiatal hernia is a different breed of hernias. In this type of hernia, part of the stomach pushes upwards through the diaphragm, and this can allow food back up into the esophagus, and cause regular bouts of heartburn. Right after hiatal hernia surgery you’ll need to stick to a clear liquid diet, like broths, jello, and popsicles. When ready, your doctor will allow you to progress to soft foods like oatmeal and yogurt, and later you can move towards foods like mashed potatoes, fish and pasta. Once recovery is complete, most people experience fewer symptoms if they eat more smaller meals as opposed to three large meals each day.
