Special Diet After a Prostatectomy

Recovering from a prostatectomy, surgical removal of the prostate gland, can be a difficult experience for any patient, but a sensible diet and regular checkups can help you quickly get back to leading a normal, healthy life. While no special diet may be required after your prostate surgery, here are some basic guidelines you can follow for best results.

Diet After Prostatectomy

• The University of Virginia Health System's da Vinci Prostatectomy Program reports that after a prostatectomy, the patient should at first eat only clear foods such as Jello and drink liquids like water, broth, juices and herbal teas until the patient has had a good bowel movement. Until then you should also avoid carbonated beverages such as soda or coffee. The bowel movement should be soft and easy to pass without difficulty and resemble the type of bowel movements you had before surgery. Once this occurs, you can return to your regular diet.

Helpful Foods

• During your longer-term recovery, it is important to focus on good nutrition. Eating a diet rich in natural, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help speed recovery. Also, according to Christy Marquette, a registered dietitian, foods with lycopene---such as tomatoes and watermelon and most other red vegetables and fruits---are helpful to consume after prostate surgery. Avoid fatty and processed foods like french fries, TV dinners and other convenient or prepackaged foods. According to Dr. Sara Strom, eating foods with saturated fat can cause a biochemical failure in men who have undergone a radical prostatectomy (surgery in which the entire prostate gland is removed plus some surrounding tissue).

Supplements for Constipation

• If constipation persists more than 24 hours after surgery, the da Vinci Prostatectomy Program suggests taking milk of magnesia as directed on the bottle. If constipation continues even after three doses of milk of magnesia, use a Dulcolax suppository.