Stomach Capacity After Surgery: Recovery Timeline & Expectations

The amount your stomach can hold after surgery will depend on the type of surgery you have and your individual healing process. Generally speaking, after surgery, your stomach will be able to hold less food and liquid than it could before. This is because the surgery may have caused swelling, inflammation, or scarring in your stomach or digestive tract. As you heal, your stomach will gradually be able to hold more food and liquid.

Here is a general timeline of how much your stomach may be able to hold after surgery:

* Immediately after surgery: You will likely be on a clear liquid diet, which means you can only drink clear liquids like water, broth, and juice.

* 1-2 days after surgery: You may be able to start eating soft foods, such as applesauce, yogurt, and pudding.

* 3-5 days after surgery: You may be able to start eating solid foods, but you should still avoid foods that are difficult to digest, such as fried foods, fatty foods, and spicy foods.

* 1-2 weeks after surgery: You should be able to eat a normal diet, but you may still need to avoid certain foods that cause you discomfort.

It is important to follow your doctor's instructions about what you can and cannot eat after surgery. This will help to ensure that you heal properly and avoid any complications.