From the Guidelines
Carbonated beverages should be avoided after abdominal surgery.
Reasons to Avoid Carbonated Beverages
- The evidence from 1 suggests that carbonated beverages can exacerbate symptoms of diarrhea and flatulence, which are common after bariatric surgery.
- Additionally, 1 recommends avoiding carbonated beverages to prevent constipation, as they can lead to gas production and discomfort.
- The guidelines from 1 and 1 focus on the importance of clear fluids and carbohydrate drinks in the perioperative period, but do not specifically address carbonated beverages.
- However, the overall consensus from the evidence is that carbonated beverages are not recommended after abdominal surgery, as they can cause discomfort and worsen symptoms.
Alternative Fluid Intake Recommendations
- Patients should drink sufficient amounts of fluids to maintain adequate hydration, with a goal of at least 1.5 L/day 1.
- Clear fluids, such as water, and non-carbonated sugary drinks are recommended 1.
- Carbohydrate drinks, such as those containing 50 g of carbohydrates, can be given 2 hours before surgery to improve postoperative well-being 1.
- It is essential to separate liquids from solids and avoid drinking 15 minutes before a meal and/or 30 minutes after a meal 1.
From the Research
Postoperative Consumption of Carbonated Beverages
- There is limited research directly addressing the consumption of carbonated beverages after abdominal surgery.
- A study from 1993 2 found that patients who underwent laparotomy preferred water, juice, and soup during the early days after surgery, but it did not specifically mention carbonated beverages.
- Other studies have focused on the effects of preoperative carbohydrate-rich drinks on postoperative outcomes, such as nausea, vomiting, and pain 3, 4, but do not provide information on carbonated beverages.
- Research on postoperative activities and nutrition after abdominal surgery suggests that patient-controlled nutrition and early mobilization may be beneficial for recovery 5, 6, but does not address the specific question of carbonated beverage consumption.
- Overall, there is a lack of direct evidence on the consumption of carbonated beverages after abdominal surgery, and more research is needed to provide a definitive answer.