Indian Diet Plan After Heart Bypass Surgery (Postoperative Heart Diet)

Are you confused about what to eat and what not to eat after bypass? Eat the right foods immediately after surgery for better recovery. Anxiety, confusion, heartburn, arm and chest pain, sweating, back pain, jaw pain can all indicate cardiac arrest. It calls for a medical emergency response. This happens because of the blockages in the arteries of the heart. A stent is placed in the heart to improve blood flow when the blockage is less. However, if there are increased blockages in the main arteries of the heart, a bypass operation becomes necessary. Here is an Indian diet plan after heart bypass surgery (post-operative heart diet/CABG diet).

What is bypass surgery?

The bypass surgery is known as coronary artery bypass graft surgery or CABG. The part of the healthy blood vessel from the hand, thigh, or chest is removed. It then serves as a bypass for the blocked artery. The new artery is grafted both below and above the blocked area in a way that bypasses the blockage and allows for unhindered blood flow. CABG helps relieve symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and improves heart function.

How to prepare for bypass surgery?

Before the operation

With a planned operation, all biochemical parameters are checked and managed. If it is an emergency, the operation is performed based on the patient’s medical history as well as the current vital condition.

during the operation

The CABG takes at least three to six hours under general anesthesia. The patient is placed on the ventilator for external ventilation until the patient comes out of the anesthetic effect. CABG is open-heart surgery in which the chest cavity is cut open to perform the surgery. The breastbone is cut open and the heart continues to be pumped with a heart-lung machine. The healthy blood vessel is primed to create a bypass at the blocked site. The number of bypasses is determined according to the number of blocks in the arteries. Arteries and bones may take at least 6 weeks to heal before you can return to your normal routine.

After the procedure

Once the ventilator is removed, the patient is asked to begin oral feeding. The patient is asked to try to get up and sit down or to walk a few steps as early as 1 to 2 days after the operation. Cardiac rehabilitation begins while the patient is self-recovering in the ICU. There are a number of exercise and diet programs that the patient must follow in order to recover better. For the first 24 hours after the operation, the patient only receives liquid food.

Indian Diet Plan After Heart Bypass Surgery (Postoperative Heart Diet)

What is liquid food?

Liquid food consists of clear liquids as well as full liquids.

• Clear liquid: Clear liquids are fiber-free, very low in calories, and easy to swallow and digest. These include dal water, rice water, fruit juice or vegetable juice, or clear vegetable soup. Green tea, infused water and preparations are also considered clear liquids.

• full liquids: Whole milk contains dairy products in addition to other easily digestible food groups. These are slightly thicker in consistency and take time to digest. Whole liquids include compound feeds, liquid porridges, smoothies, commercial supplements, or high-protein meal replacements.

Why are patients given liquid formula after bypass surgery?

After the operation, the patient is still under the influence of general anesthesia. The physical activities as well as muscles are sluggish. If the patient is given whole foods, there is a chance that the esophagus is blocked or that food is getting into the windpipe. You may also experience bloating, belching, heartburn, or indigestion. This can worsen the patient’s recovery.

Therefore, always start with a clear liquid a few hours after the operation. Once the patient tolerates the clear liquid, begin the full liquid diet. Clear liquids are better absorbed and can help maintain muscle activity in the bowel after surgery. Once the patient can tolerate clear fluids, begin full fluids.

Indian Diet Plan After Heart Bypass Surgery (Postoperative Heart Diet)

Foods that include an Indian diet plan after heart bypass surgery

Barley water is rich in antioxidants that help reduce post-operative stress. Rice water contains the prebiotics that can help the gut work better.

The dal water or dal soup provides the proteins needed for post-surgery recovery. Sattu can provide the required carbohydrates as well as the protein ratio that contributes to a better recovery of the patient. Dal Khichdi can be administered in a semi-solid form that provides high quality proteins that aid in better recovery.

Start with cottage cheese or buttermilk. Quark or buttermilk are easily digestible. Quark’s probiotic effects contribute to better GI function. The proteins help in quick healing as well as better recovery.

Egg is a complete protein that is easily absorbed by the body and provides vitamins A, D, E, K, vitamin B complex, vitamin D, calcium and iron. All of these nutrients are necessary for recovery. Chicken provides the extra proteins needed for faster recovery as well as for the body to heal after surgery.

Fruit and vegetables provide the necessary vitamins, minerals and fiber. The patient is immobile immediately after the operation or has very little movement. Therefore, a patient may experience constipation or bloating. The fiber helps to relive the constipation. These include fruit juices, smoothies, vegetable juices and vegetable soups.

Add oil or ghee as needed. Coconut oil and ghee are easily digested after the operation. You can also use olive oil, peanut oil, as well as rice bran oil. Use walnut powder, flaxseed powder or chia seed powder as they are rich in Omega 3. The antioxidant properties of Omega 3 help reduce post-operative stress, promote healing and accelerate recovery.

Indian Diet Plan After Heart Bypass Surgery (Postoperative Heart Diet)

sample Postoperative Diet Plan :

Provide hourly or bi-hourly liquid meals based on patient needs and tolerance. Each liquid meal is 150-200ml.

8:00 a.m.: dal water

9:00 a.m.: coconut water or green tea

10.00 a.m.: Fruit juice (orange, mosambi, pomegranate or pineapple)

11:00 a.m.: buttermilk

12:00 p.m.: Fruit and nut smoothie (banana, quark, walnuts, chia seed powder)

2 p.m.: Sattu or Eggnog

4 p.m.: ABC juice (apple, beetroot and carrot) with flaxseed powder

6 p.m.: Vegetable soup or chicken soup

8 p.m.: Liquid khichdi mixed with cottage cheese or oatmeal

10 p.m.: milk with turmeric

Final remark:

The main goal of liquid nutrition is to avoid postoperative GI disorders. A faster transition from clear liquid to dense and from dense to soft indicates better recovery and speedy healing. After following this Indian diet plan after heart bypass surgery (post-operative heart diet/CABG diet), you can follow a semi-solid diet and then a soft diet. Indian diet plan for heart patients.