Nutrition

Pre-operative bowel preparation

• Strict low-fiber diet during 3 days before the procedure.

• Laxative : 2 rectal enemas (Fleet Enema®, Fosfate clysma 130ml from Norgine®, Microlax®…)the day before surgery.

The aim of a low-fibre diet and enemas is to reduce the amount of feces in the bowel during surgical procedure.

Stop eating and drinking

Strict low-fiber diet

• A strict low-fiber diet consists of cutting out foods rich in fibre. This restriction is maintained only temporarily.
• Each individual’s digestive tolerance should be taken into account, but unjustified and excessive restrictions should be avoided.
• Since fibers is essential for a balanced diet, it is important to reach a sufficient daily intake as soon as possible. You may then reintroduce non-refined starchy foods (brown bread, brown rice, etc.), 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, etc.
• Do not hesitate to contact the dietetic service to help you if necessary.

Hygiene and dietary rules

Respect some important principles:

• Eat your meals at regular intervals. Do not skip meals.
• Split your diet into 3 meals and possibly 1 or 2 snacks a day.
• Take your time to eat and chew your food sufficiently.
• Eat in a quiet environment.
• Drink 1.5L to 2L of drinks a day: water, herbal tea, tea, coffee.

Dietary advice

Our advice

• Avoid consumption of unpleasant foods: alcoholic drinks, strong tea and coffee, peppers and strong spices (pili-pili, harissa, green/red/yellow curry, cayenne pepper…).

If questions, you can always contact the dietary service:

St-Elisabeth site:

02/614.26.79

Breakfast

• White bread, sandwich, pistolets, white baguette or white biscuits, cracker, brioche
• Butter or margarine
• Topping: jam, fruit jelly, syrup, honey, bread spread, cheese or cold cuts (no spices, nuts, hazelnuts or dried fruits), eggs
• Or breakfast cereals + milk or yoghurt
• Other examples: French toast, pancakes

Second meal

• White bread, rolls, pistolets, white baguettes or white biscuits, pita bread, wraps…
• Butter or margarine.
• Salty toppings: cheese or cold cuts (without spices, nuts, dried fruits), eggs, fish, shellfish…

Examples:

Pancakes stuffed with prawns

Cheese and béchamel

Croque – monsieur ham and cheese

Boiled or fried egg or omelette

Tuna or salmon mousse

Cheese platter

Bouillon (broth) with tapioca or vermicelli

Hot meal

• Bouillon (hot water + stock cube, or vegetable and/or meat infusion)
• Meat, poultry, fish, eggs or unprocessed vegetarian alternative (seitan, tofu)
• White rice, white pasta, semolina, plain or mashed potatoes without skin
• Fat

Examples:

« Vol au vent » (without mushrooms) with rice

Pasta with béchamel sauce, ham and grated cheese

Minced meat gratin with mashed potatoes (minced meat without vegetables)

Veal blanquette (without vegetables) with mashed potatoes

White fish in cream sauce with potatoes

Minced steak with plain potatoes

Roast chicken with tarragon cream sauce and steamed potatoes

Snacks or as a complement to meals

Plain yoghurt or white cheese, flan, pudding, chocolate mousse, rice semolina, ice cream, biscuits (madeleine, Petit-Beurre®, waffle, boudoir, galette, meringue, etc.), sugar cake, rice cake, custard cake (cake without fruit or compote), etc.

Beverages

1.5l to 2l water, tea, coffee, herbal tea

High-fiber diet and hydration

A high-fibre diet encourages consumption of foods with maximum fibre to improve bowel transit and prevent constipation.

A high-fibre diet during at least 4 weeks should prevent hard bowel movements from damaging the healing wound(s) in the anal canal. It also helps to reduce postoperative pain.

Hygiene and dietary rules

Respect some important principles:

• Eat your meals at regular intervals. Do not skip meals.
• Split your diet into 3 meals and possibly 1 or 2 snacks a day.
• Take your time to eat and chew your food sufficiently.
• Eat in a quiet environment.
• Drink 1.5L to 2L per day: water, herbal tea, tea, coffee.

General advice

Gradually increase intake of high-fibre food.

Gradually increase adequate intake of the following foods every day:

• Starches: wholemeal bread, oatmeal, quinoa, rice and wholemeal pasta,…
• Fresh fruit and vegetables: the recommendation is 2 portions of fruit and 3 portions of vegetables a day.
• Dried vegetables: lentils, chickpeas, peas, dried beans,…
• A handful of dried fruit or oilseeds: prunes, apricots, figs, almonds, walnuts,…

Drink enough

You need to drink 1.5 to 2L of water a day in addition to your food. In fact, certain fibers work by absorbing water. Drinking waters rich in magnesium will stimulate your transit (e.g. Hépar®, Contrex®, Orée du bois ®…).

Regular exercise, on medical advice

Regular exercise stimulates transit and helps regulate bowel movements.

Acquire good defecation habits

The urge to defecate after a meal is caused by a reflex mechanism that causes contractions of the muscles in the intestines. It is important to respond to the urge to express bowel movements when the stimuli occur. Avoid holding up. Relief should take place without time pressure and in a calm atmosphere.

Enrich your diet with fibre

You can also add fibre, for example, oat bran, flaxseed, various supplements for sale at pharmacies or psyllium…. In food such as compote, soup, yoghurt and milk products…

If questions, you can always contact the dietary service :

St-Elisabeth site :

02/614.26.79