4 Foods to Eat after Hysterectomy for a Better Recovery
Key takeaways:
Lean proteins and fiber-rich foods can help you recover after a hysterectomy.
Staying hydrated can help your recovery, too. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day after a hysterectomy.
Avoid spicy, greasy, or processed foods for the first week or two after your hysterectomy. This may help you recover faster.
A hysterectomy is a surgery that removes the uterus. It’s a major medical procedure and it takes time to recover from it. Your diet can affect your recovery both immediately after surgery and long term.
Your diet can help aid your recovery after a hysterectomy. It can also help you manage the short- and long-term side effects of surgery. Here’s what to eat after a hysterectomy for a smoother recovery.
What can you eat immediately after surgery?
You won’t be able to eat solid foods immediately after your surgery. Instead, you’ll start off on a clear liquid diet which includes drinks and foods that are clear when they’re at room temperature. This includes things like:
Water
Pulp-free juice
Coffee and tea (without milk or cream)
Jello
Broth
Popsicles
Electrolyte drinks
A clear liquid diet provides fluids, so you don’t get dehydrated. And these items are easy for your gut to digest. This allows your body to rest and recover. You’ll be able to go back to a solid diet once you’re able to consume these foods and drinks without nausea or vomiting. Most people go back to eating regular food within 12 hours after their hysterectomy.
Why is your diet important after a hysterectomy?
Your diet is very important after a hysterectomy because it can impact your recovery. Here are some ways your diet affects your recovery.
1. Relieves postoperative nausea and vomiting
Many people experience nausea after surgery. This is often a side effect of anesthesia. It can lead to vomiting and stomach discomfort. The right foods can help minimize these symptoms, so you recover faster from anesthesia side effects.
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It’s a good idea to avoid spicy and greasy foods for the first 48 hours after your surgery. These foods can upset your stomach and worsen nausea. Instead, opt for bland, starchy foods that are easier on your gut, including:
White bread
Plain pasta
White rice
Crackers
Mashed potatoes
You can eat these foods along with clear liquids (listed above) and combine them to make dishes like noodle soup. Most people will need to stay in the hospital for a few days after their hysterectomy. Your meals will likely come from hospital kitchens during this time. The staff will be able to provide you with a bland diet during the first few days after your surgery.
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2. Limits postoperative constipation
A hysterectomy can affect your bowels and abdominal muscles. This can change how well your bowels contract and increase your chances of developing constipation. You may also need to take opiate pain medications after surgery for pain relief. These medications also increase your risk of developing constipation.
Constipation can be uncomfortable and bothersome. It can also lead to straining, which can put pressure on your sutures and impact your healing.
Luckily, the right diet can help you limit or even avoid constipation altogether.
First, you’ll want to make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated helps you avoid constipation. Aim to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water or clear liquids each day after your surgery, especially while you’re taking pain medication. This may be more liquid than you’re used to drinking.
Next, add fiber-rich foods to your diet. You’ll need to eat a bland diet for the first day or two after surgery. But after that it’s important to move to fiber-rich foods to avoid constipation. Aim for 30 g of fiber each day.
3. Promotes wound healing
Your body needs to recover after a hysterectomy. Part of that recovery includes healing wounds from surgery and rebuilding muscle and other important tissue. Your diet provides your body with the building blocks it needs to do these tasks. Fruits and vegetables are not only high in fiber but also rich in vitamins and minerals that your body needs for healing.
Protein is also important for recovery. Your body breaks down protein from food and uses it to rebuild and repair damaged tissues. As you recover, you’ll want to add protein-rich foods to your diet, like lean meats, eggs, and plant-based protein.
What are the best foods to eat after hysterectomy?
The best foods to eat after hysterectomy include foods that are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Luckily, many foods fit all of these criteria. Here are some of the best foods to eat after a hysterectomy.
1. Lean protein
Lean protein offers your body the protein sources it needs to repair and rebuild tissue. This allows you to heal after surgery. Lean proteins include:
Chicken
Turkey
Fish
Beans
Lentils
Red meat is another good source of protein. But it can take longer to digest than poultry, fish, and plant-based protein. This can lead to stomach discomfort and worsen constipation.
In addition to containing protein, fish is also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation following surgery and help you recover.
2. Whole Grains
Whole grains are rich in fiber. Fiber helps you avoid constipation after surgery. Some options for whole grains include:
Brown rice
Quinoa
Oats
Bulgur
Farro
You can use these whole grains in place of white rice, pasta, and potatoes, which are low in fiber.
3. Whole fruit
Fruits are a delicious source of vitamins and minerals. Your body needs vitamins and minerals to heal after surgery. Whole fruits are also high in fiber and can help you avoid constipation.
Try eating these high-fiber fruits after your hysterectomy:
Raspberries
Blueberries
Blackberries
Strawberries
Apples
Bananas
Passion fruit
Avocado
Other nutritious fruits — like cherries, grapefruit, and pomegranates — also contain fiber and are high in antioxidants, which can help your body recover.
4. Vegetables
Vegetables are naturally rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They help you recover from surgery and can also help you avoid constipation. Green and leafy vegetables are often highest in these important nutrients.
Try adding these vegetables to your diet after surgery:
Spinach
Kale
Broccoli
Carrots
Beets
Bell peppers
Sweet potatoes
How long does it take to recover from a hysterectomy?
Recovery after hysterectomy varies from person to person. Many people recover completely within 4 to 6 weeks. But other people can take longer to recover. It can take several months for you to feel back to your normal self after a hysterectomy.
Some things that affect your recovery time include:
Type of surgery: An abdominal hysterectomy takes longer to heal than vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Your overall health: You may need more time to recover if you have underlying medical conditions, like heart, lung, or kidney disease.
Surgical complications: Surgical complications, like infections, can also prolong recovery.
Choosing the right foods and staying hydrated can help you recover after a hysterectomy. Getting enough rest and following your healthcare team’s recovery instructions will also help you recover as quickly as possible.
The bottom line
Eating the right foods and staying hydrated can help you recover after a hysterectomy. Staying hydrated helps your body perform at its best — and helps you avoid constipation. Lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are the best foods to eat after a hysterectomy. These foods give your body important nutrients, like minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and protein. They also help you get enough fiber, which lowers your risk of developing constipation after surgery.
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References
MedlinePlus. (2024). Clear liquid diet.
National Health Services. (2022). Recovery: Hysterectomy.
Sizemore, D. C., et al. (2022). Postoperative nausea. StatPearls.
Victoria State Government Department of Health. (2024). Hysterectomy. Better Health Channel.
