Lack of Appetite

Some people may have a poor appetite following surgery. This can be caused by some of the medications used during and after surgery, or how you are feeling about the disease itself. For example, you may not feel like eating if you feel sick or tired. In most cases people find their appetite goes back to normal within a few days of surgery.

Medication
If your appetite is reduced because of feeling sick, your doctor can prescribe anti-sickness drugs which should be taken regularly so that the sickness is controlled. Please contact your hospital medical team for further advice.

Eating and Fluid Intake
The dietary advice on this page may not be applicable to you if you have diabetes, have had oral, stomach or bowel surgery or have difficulty chewing or swallowing.

Eating
If you do go off food it is important to eat what you like when you feel like it, and to make sure that you have as many calories as possible. Do not give yourself a hard time if you really do not feel like eating in the 2 or 3 days after your surgery, you can make up for lost calories later. Attempt to eat a well-balanced diet of small regular (high protein and high calorie) meals every 2-3 hours during the day. Keep snacks handy to nibble – such as nuts, crisps, cheese or fruit.
Although fluid intake is important do not fill your stomach with a large amount of liquid before eating.
If the smell of food cooking spoils your appetite ask family or friends to cook for you. If this is not possible consider eating cold foods that do not need cooking.
Try to eat when you are relaxed and without distractions.
Prepare and store small servings of your favourite foods in advance, so there is always something to eat when you feel hungry.
Have a stock of convenience foods in the cupboard, such as tinned soups and puddings.
Ginger, either as ginger biscuits, ginger tea or ginger beer can reduce feelings of sickness.

Tips to Boost Energy in Everyday Foods
There are lots of ways to add extra calories to your meals and snacks. You may like to try a few of them to see which work best for you.
Use butter, milk, honey and cheese to add extra calories and protein to foods that you eat. Use full cream milk instead of semi-skimmed or put 2 to 4 tablespoons of milk powder into a pint of full cream milk to make fortified milk.
Add full cream or fortified milk to tea, coffee or bedtime drinks such as Horlicks, Ovaltine or drinking chocolate.
Make up packet sauces or soups with milk or fortified milk instead of water and add cream to canned soups.
Soak porridge oats in full cream milk with added sugar overnight. This softens them and makes them easier to eat. You can then add dried fruit or seeds to boost nutrients and calories.
Mix grated cheese or cream with mashed potato.
Melt butter on top of hot vegetables or garnish with grated cheese, chopped hardboiled egg, or a sauce made with fortified milk.
In sandwiches use plenty of butter or margarine and spread fillings thickly. Add mayonnaise to sandwich fillings like hardboiled egg or tuna.
Try biscuits with your drinks.
Add minced meat, lentils, beans, noodles or pasta shapes to soups.
Add cheese and a little cream to an omelette.
Dip cooked soft vegetables in dips such as hummus or sour cream.
Make milkshakes or smoothies with ice cream, yoghurt and fresh fruit.
Have full fat fromage frais and yoghurt.
Add sugar, jam, honey or syrup to desserts.
Add ice cream, cream or evaporated milk to cold puddings and add custard (made with full cream or fortified milk) to hot puddings.

Physical Activity and Exercise
Physical activity may help to increase your appetite. If possible, try to take some gentle regular exercise.
Please go to our Physical Activity and Exercise page to view further advice.

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