When to eat?
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Thyroid cancer surgery is usually performed using a neck incision, and the extent of the surgery and the size of the incision varies from person to person. The time when you can eat after surgery varies from surgery to surgery. Please be aware that you should not “self-adjust” based on what your patients say and experience.
Eating is usually allowed the day after surgery (at least 6 hours later), after the anesthesia has worn off and all vital signs (breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, etc.) have stabilized. However, the exact time to resume eating varies from person to person and needs to be adjusted according to how you feel.
You can drink a small amount of water to feel if your swallowing function is normal (no difficulty swallowing or choking), and then eat a small amount of liquid food (milk, rice soup, etc.). Do not eat excessively hot food at this time, as high food temperature may cause vasodilation in the neck and increase incisional exudate, which is not conducive to recovery.
Relatives are asked to help the patient eat in a semi-recumbent position, not lying down, as much as possible during care. Because there is a risk of intraoperative neurological deficits and decreased swallowing, choking and coughing are more likely to occur when lying flat.
After that, if there is no other significant discomfort, you can gradually transition to a semi-liquid diet, such as thin porridge and egg custard of moderate temperature.
About two weeks after surgery, the recovery period gradually begins, and if there are no surgical complications, you can return to a normal diet with meat, fruits and vegetables. Until full normalization, the principle of eating smaller and more frequent meals should be adopted to avoid increasing the burden on the swallowing function. Please consult your healthcare provider for any abnormalities in the process.
What can I eat? What should I not eat?
Postoperative nutrition is needed to increase the intake of protein and vitamins, such as eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, as appropriate.
Try not to eat foods that are too greasy; they are not easy to digest, increase the burden on the stomach and intestines, and are not conducive to recovery.
Spicy and stimulating foods should also be withheld and eaten sparingly once you have fully recovered.
It is best to stop smoking and drinking. Smoking and drinking are not only detrimental to recovery, but also increase the risk of developing other cancers.
In addition, when taking thyroxine tablets after surgery, iodine intake should be reduced and foods such as seafood, kelp, and nori should be eaten sparingly. This is because excessive iodine intake can lead to follicular epithelial hyperplasia, increasing the risk of recurrence. If you are going to receive I-131 therapy after surgery, you should also take your doctor’s advice to adjust the dose of medication and clarify dietary considerations.
Can herbs and supplements promote recovery and prevent recurrence?
Chinese herbs and supplements cannot replace formal treatment, nor can they replace scientific diet and care. However, we should not simply deny their role.
Vitamin C has a restorative and protective effect on damaged cells, and B vitamins also have a nourishing effect on nerves, and multivitamin tablets are good for recovery after surgery.
Prescriptions from professional TCM institutions after dialectical examination can also be helpful for post-operative recovery. But be sure to visit a regular Chinese medicine hospital and tell your primary care physician in detail that you are taking Chinese medicine, and the specific ingredients, to help your doctor determine if it will affect your treatment or recovery.
In conclusion, you and your family should always keep in mind that you should not trust the advice of non-professional organizations, but always actively go to a regular hospital, talk to a medical professional, and choose health supplements that will help you recover.
Summary:
After your surgery, you should take your medications as prescribed, eat scientifically, and follow up on time, listen to your health care professional, and work together to beat the disease!
Co-written by Dr. Xu Weibo, Cancer Hospital of Fudan University