Dietary Recommendations After A Fundoplication

After a fundoplication, either a Thal or Nissan, there are some physical changes that the child will experience. These changes will affect their eating habits, and are more noticeable immediately after surgery.

Initially, after the surgery, some patients report tightness in their chest. It feels difficult or even impossible to burp. There may be some discomfort with gas bloating and the stomach may feel tight and hard.

If the child has a gastrostomy tube, the stomach may be vented during these episodes. If there is no gastrostomy tube, it takes time for the feeling to go away. These sensations will get better in time. It may take as long as four weeks for the swelling to go down from the surgery, & for foods to pass more easily through the area of the wrap.

Some things that will help with these symptoms in the early weeks after surgery are:

  • Small, frequent meals.
  • Drinking liquids while eating solid foods.
  • Eating foods that are soft and smooth like:
    • Juices
    • Soups
    • Applesauce
    • Carnation Instant Breakfast
    • Soft cooked pasta
    • Yogurt/ice cream

Food Choices After A Fundoplication


Food Group Foods Allowed Foods to Avoid
Beverages Encourage milk, milkshakes, Nutritional supplements like Carnation Instant Breakfast, Boost/Boost Plus or Ovaltine Soda or carbonated beverages
Soups Mildly seasoned broth, bouillon, strained soup, smooth cream soups, soft cooked ramen soups Bean, gumbo, chili, Chunky soups or Chowder
Meats Finely ground or chopped meats/poultry in gravy or sauce, soft scrambled eggs/fried eggs, egg or tuna salad w/o celery or onion, Tofu, hummus Fried chicken or fish, Chunks of meat/chix, sausage, smoked meat, cold cuts, hard-boiled eggs, hot dogs, bacon
Other Entrees Very soft cooked macaroni and cheese, Spaghettios or other Noodle casseroles Pizza
Other Dairy Smooth yogurt, ice cream, pudding, custard, cottage cheese, soft cheeses Food containing nuts, seeds, skins of fruit, coconut
Fruits Soft canned fruit, cut into small pieces, applesauce, soft fresh banana, fruit juices Raw or dried fruit
Vegetables Very soft or canned vegetables, Potato: mashed, creamed, baked (no skin), scalloped; vegetable juice, baked/boiled sweet potato/yam (no skin) Corn, broccoli, cauliflower, raw veggies, french fries, hash browns
Grains Cooked cereals, pasta, Bread stuffing w/ gravy (no celery or onion), Flaked cereal softened in milk, noodles in sauce, well cooked rice in sauce Bread, toast, bagel, biscuits, hard rolls, crackers
Margarine/Oils Any salad dressings, sour cream, squeeze, stick or tub margarine, Mayonnaise/Miracle Whip, Cream Cheese Fried foods
Other Desserts Soft cake, pumpkin pie "inside", whipped cream, jello, popsicles, Graham crackers softened IN milk, plain cheesecake w/o crust, mousse, sherbet, sorbet, custards  
Snacks   Chips, pretzels, popcorn, Doritos, Candy w/ caramel or nuts, Fruit-type snacks

This information is provided by the University of Michigan Department of Surgery, Section of Pediatric Surgery and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. For additional health information, please contact your health care provider or our offices.