If you have undergone any major gastrointestinal surgery or HIPEC surgery, you need to make sure that you intake sufficient nutrients once your bowels are functioning again properly. But you have to be careful about what you are eating, especially in the earlier weeks and make sure that the foods do not have any adverse impact.

The Department of Cancer Care Specialities MENA at Al Zahra Hospital UAE has highly experienced nutritionists who prescribe the foods that rich in proteins and other essential vitamins and minerals to their patients. These foods enhance the healing process and make the patient lead the normal life once again.

Below are enlisted some things to consider about what to eat and what not to eat after HIPEC surgery.

Bread, cereals, and grams

You can easily eat:

• White bread, plain white rolls, and white bread toast
• Plain pasta, noodles, white rice, melba, and zwieback
• Cereals without added whole grains, fiber, seeds, and raisins
• Use white flour and do not use cracked wheat

Vegetables

You can easily eat well-cooked fresh vegetables. Avoid canned vegetables as they have added preservatives. Vegetables are not only the powerhouse of calories you need but they also contain fiber which makes you feel fuller and cause you to eat less.

Meat, fish, poultry, and protein

Keep in mind that all meat, fish and poultry should be tender and does not have any gristle. You can eat fish and other ground meats. Avoid eating beef and white meat chicken. Eggs, sausage, shellfish, tofu, dark meat chicken, and bacon should be eaten with caution.

Dairy, milk, and cheese

When it comes to dairy products, be a bit slow. Start with small or medium amounts and that too processed ones. Dairy products can cause the problem of gas and acid reflux. Start with cheese and yogurt and then slowly make a shift towards puddings and cream based casseroles. Milk is a great source of calories, carbohydrates, protein, and fat. It keeps you healthy both physically and mentally and boost up the healing process.

Fruit, sugar, juice, and desserts

Fruits, sugar, juice, and desserts should form a part of your diet after HIPEC surgery simply because they contain carbohydrates. But be cautious. Start with small amounts and see how you do with them and then you can continue if you do not face any problems. Try eating soft and small amounts of fruit. Include applesauce in your diet plan. Avoid fruit juice for you’ll end up consuming lots of sugar once at a time.

Cancer Care Specialities MENA is famous in UAE and across the globe for conducting minimally invasive HIPEC surgery. Our board-certified doctors always advise the aforementioned tips to all their patients to have a healthy life after surgery.

To schedule an appointment with our doctor, contact us at +971 55 1010169.