Diet After Hiatal and Paraesophageal Hernia Repair: Care Instructions

After a hernia and paraesophageal repair, you'll need to make some changes to your diet as you heal. This can help you get the nutrition you need. It may also help with nausea, which may make you not feel like eating. It's common for people who've had this surgery to lose weight in the first 4 to 6 weeks after the surgery.

As your body heals, you'll follow a mild diet. This can promote healing. It can also help reduce the risk of nausea, vomiting, and gagging. If you vomit or gag a lot, you risk delaying healing.

Your doctor may prescribe anti-nausea medicine for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery so you can eat.

• For the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, drink only clear liquids.
• In the first 2 weeks after surgery, eat soft foods, pureed foods, and protein drinks. Eat small, frequent meals. Be sure to chew your food thoroughly.
• To improve your digestion, sit upright while you eat and for an hour afterward.
• Try to wait 3 hours after eating before you go to bed.
• Avoid food and drinks that may make your symptoms worse. These include fizzy (carbonated) drinks, alcohol, high-fat foods, and spicy foods and pepper. Also try to avoid drinks with caffeine in them, such as tea, coffee, energy drinks, and colas.
• Avoid wearing clothes that are tight around your belly.
• Don’t smoke, vape, or use other tobacco or nicotine products. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about quit programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.

Call911anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You passed out (lost consciousness).
• You vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds.
• You pass maroon or very bloody stools.
• You have severe belly pain.

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have new or worse belly pain.
• You have trouble or pain when swallowing.
• You are vomiting.
• Your stools are black and look like tar or have streaks of blood.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You have new or worse symptoms of indigestion.
• You are losing weight after the first 6 weeks.
• You do not get better as expected.