Can You Eat After Surgery

Your healthcare team wants to be sure that your digestive system is functioning well before you start eating solid food. So, your immediate post-surgery diet may be restricted to clear liquids: water; ice chips; apple, grape, or cranberry juice; tea; broth; gelatin; electrolyte drinks; and popsicles.

What should I eat immediately after surgery?

• Drink small amounts of clear liquids, such as water, soda or apple juice.
• Today, avoid foods that are sweet, spicy or hard to digest.
• Eat more foods as your body can tolerate.
• If you feel nauseated, do not eat or drink anything for one hour and then try drinking clear liquids.

How soon after anesthesia can you eat?

Diet: After having general anesthesia, we recommend clear liquids first (such as 7-up, water, apple juice). If you continue to feel hungry, this may be followed by soft foods (such as ice cream, Jello, pudding, malts) for the first 24 hours.