Recommended diet after haemorrhoid surgery

• There is no recommended diet after haemorrhoid surgery as such, but a balanced diet rich in fibre is recommended.
• It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, and to avoid certain foods that can irritate the operated area.
• In this article we present some foods and recommendations to follow after haemorrhoid surgery to improve recovery.

As you may already know, or as you can read in our other articles on haemorrhoid surgery, not all cases of this pathology should be treated surgically, only the most severe cases that coincide with grades 3 and 4.

The appearance of haemorrhoids is due to multiple factors, the main ones being a diet poor in fibre, a sedentary lifestyle and in some cases a genetic predisposition to suffer from them. 

Once the haemorrhoids have appeared and have worsened to grades 3 and 4 of severity, as we mentioned, the specialist in General and Digestive System Surgery will normally recommend surgery to remove the haemorrhoids, which is a common procedure that doctors are accustomed to carrying out.

Below we will discuss some recommended foods and habits after haemorrhoid surgery (laser or conventional surgery) in order to improve and speed up post-operative recovery, although these dietary recommendations can also be used on a regular basis to avoid problems with haemorrhoids or anal fissures.

As at any time in life, the most important thing is to eat a balanced diet, rich in fibre, and to lead an active life in order to maintain good intestinal transit, which helps to avoid constipation, which may be the cause of the initial appearance of haemorrhoids and which can be very painful during the postoperative period.

Some recommended foods are:

Fibre-rich wholegrain cereals

Cereals are an important source of vegetable fibre, and it is important to avoid refined flours:

• Wholemeal breads made from wheat, rye, etc.
• Brown rice
• Whole wheat pasta
• Whole grain cereals such as oats, canaryseed, barley, etc.

Fruits

Fruits are an important source of fibre and water, so their effectiveness in combating constipation and promoting intestinal transit is beyond doubt. 

These are some of the fruits:

• Plums
• Oranges
• Strawberries
• Sultanas
• Tangerines
• Pears
• Peaches
• Apples

Legumes and vegetables

• Lettuce, Swiss chard, raw carrot, spinach
• Asparagus, beetroot, mushrooms, turnip, pumpkin, preferably cooked
• Broccoli, artichokes, green beans, etc.
• Also vegetable juices
• Legumes: lentils, broad beans, chickpeas, etc.
• Nuts: sunflower seeds, almonds, pistachios, etc.

In this case, the best thing to do is to talk to the specialist so that he or she can prescribe a stool softener or laxative to promote intestinal transit and avoid any possible problems during recovery.

After a haemorrhoid operation, although not permanently, it is advisable to avoid ingesting substances that may cause irritation in the operated area. The most common are the following:

• Do not eat spicy foods: For obvious reasons, they irritate the anal canal and can cause significant discomfort and considerably delay recovery.
• Do not drink alcohol: Alcohol is not normally good, but after surgery on the anal area it is advisable to avoid it, as it can harden the stool and irritate the anal canal.
• No smoking: Smoking causes circulation problems and, consequently, scarring, so smoking delays recovery. However, as we all know, smoking is not a healthy option in any context.

Although it is not advisable to exert yourself too much during the first week, in addition to a diet rich in fibre, it is important to keep moving. 

Here are some other recommendations to help you get through the recovery period after haemorrhoid surgery:

• Exercise: It is important to move around and not stay at home for at least a couple of days after surgery, to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, which has certainly been one of the main causes of operated haemorrhoids. As you get better, exercise should be increased, even if it means walking for an hour every day, as this improves intestinal transit.
• Drink plenty of water: It is advisable to drink two litres or eight glasses of water a day, which allows the faeces to soften and consequently facilitates their expulsion.
• As we have mentioned in other articles on post-operative haemorrhoids, warm baths with warm water 2 or 3 times a day help to eliminate discomfort, clean the wound and relax the area to facilitate healing.

In any case, it is important to ask your specialist if you have any questions about these recommendations and, above all, under no circumstances should you eat any of these foods if you are allergic to them.

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