Post-surgical Menu and Food Suggestions

What follows are soft foods suggestions for after oral surgery. Some may not be consumed immediately after surgery. Post-surgically, patients may have to advance their diets more slowly, because some surgical sites may be very fresh and limit diet. Soft food diets will vary from one person to another depending on the severity of the wound and the type of oral surgery. Diets may need to be advanced slowly. Gradually as the healing of the surgical sites progresses, the patient may advance their diet from liquid, to soft, to mashed and semi-solid foods, until a normal diet can be resumed. Dr. Maranon and his staff will discuss special dietary considerations for those patients undergoing extensive surgical procedures or requiring special diets. Unless special dietary considerations are indicated, the following are foods that can be considered during the recovery process. 

• Clear liquids such as ice chips, Gatorade or sports drinks, dilute carbonated clear sodas (ginger ale, 7Up or Sprite), popsicles, or Jell-O
• Instant breakfast such as Ensure, Boost, Slim Fast
• Oatmeal, cream of rice or wheat, omelets, eggs or pancakes
• Jam on soft bread (not chewy or without crust)
• Apple sauce
• Low-acid fruit juices such as pear, apple, or vegetable
• Egg, tuna or chicken salad
• Soup broths
• Rich cream soups or soft vegetable soups pureed or without large pieces that are hard to eat
• Mushrooms
• Avocados
• Any vegetable (except corn) or potatoes-well cooked, pureed, scalloped or casserole
• Mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes
• Enchiladas, grits or polenta
• Pureed or well-ground meats or chicken
• Bread-less sloppy joes or tortilla-less burritos
• Hamburger or tuna helper
• Well cooked pasta, macaroni and cheese
• Well-cooked stewed or braised chicken or meat
• Boneless fish
• Tofu
• Refried or well cooked beans
• Plain ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbets, gelato, fruit mousse, puddings and custards, smoothies, malts, or shakes. These must be eaten with a spoon or a glass or a cup. It is very important not to use a straw during the first 24 hours. Be careful to avoid berry seeds and desserts available in stores that contain various additions such as nuts, dried fruits, crushed candies, etc. that may fall into the extraction sites
• Rice pudding, cheesecake, plain chocolate (allow to melt on the tongue), ripe banana
• Juice bars