Post-operative dietary guidelines change by surgeon and patient. What your body can and cannot tolerate after surgery differs for each patient, however there are several general guidelines that are widely considered to apply to all patients. These are:

• When you start eating solid food it is essential that you chew thoroughly. You will not be able to eat steaks or other chunks of meat if they are not ground or chewed thoroughly.
• Don't drink fluids while eating. They will make you feel full before you have consumed enough food.
• Omit desserts and other items with sugar listed as one of the main ingredients.
• Avoid carbonated drinks, high-calorie nutritional supplements, milk shakes, high-fat foods and foods with high fiber content.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Limit snacking between meals.