4 dietary considerations for colon cancer patients before surgery

Clinically, because colon cancer occurs in the digestive tract, patients often have symptoms such as intestinal indigestion, malnutrition, anemia, and bloody stools. Therefore, special attention should be paid to diet before surgery.

1. One week before surgery, patients should limit their intake of large amounts of fats and oils, and should not consume more than 30 grams (about 3 tablespoons) of vegetable oil per day. Do not eat or eat less fried foods. Eat more foods rich in dietary fiber, such as celery, whole grains, etc., eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, soybeans and bean products, walnuts, peanuts, dairy products, algae, etc. Also, you should take appropriate amounts of foods rich in trace elements such as malt, fish, and mushrooms. And eat more blueberries and kiwis that have anti-cancer effects.

2. Two days before the operation, patients can take neomycin or streptomycin orally as prescribed by the doctor to inhibit intestinal bacteria and prevent intestinal infection. Patients can take metronidazole, gentamicin, etc., and supplement vitamin K at the same time. Patients should take medications as prescribed by the doctor, generally 3 times a day, after meals.

3. Three days before the operation, patients should choose high-protein, high-calorie, low-residue, easy-to-digest and nutritious liquid food to effectively increase the body's resistance, and pay attention to avoid eating spicy, irritating and hard food. Patients should eat liquid food in small meals, 4-5 meals a day, with a dosage of about 300-500ml. Liquid food can be porridge, steamed eggs, vegetable soup, lotus root powder, etc., to reduce feces and clean the intestines. Patients with obstruction can fast and supplement nutrition with infusion.

4. If the patient does not have intestinal obstruction the night before surgery, he or she should take laxatives such as castor oil orally. On the day of surgery, he or she should fast or take a small amount of liquid food as prescribed by the doctor.