Diet After Bowel Obstruction Surgery
2007 Copyright Harvard Health Publications
Question:
What kind of diet should I be following after bowel obstruction
surgery?
Answer:
Usually, a bowel obstruction is caused by a scar or tumor that
causes narrowing of the small intestine. Surgery for a bowel
obstruction usually removes a very short section of the intestine.
Because only a short section of intestine is removed, your
digestion is essentially unchanged. No special diet is needed.
Rarely, a bowel obstruction is caused by a blockage of
incompletely chewed food or swallowed hair, called a "bezoar." If
you had this rare problem, your doctor might advise you to limit
the amount of fiber you eat.
Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School
and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health &
Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general
internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.
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Source: from the Harvard Health Publications Family Health Guide, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved.
Used with permission of StayWell.
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