Which of the following statements aligns with the described recovery plan?

• A. Dietary advancement begins immediately after surgery
• B. Gradual reintroduction of food begins after reanastomosis
• C. There is no dietary change after reanastomosis
• D. The patient should avoid any food indefinitely

Answer: (B)

Postoperative feeding after bowel resection depends on letting the anastomosis heal before pushing a full diet. The new connection between bowel segments is fragile while healing, so advancing nutrition too quickly can stress the site and raise the risk of a leak or ileus. The described recovery plan typically calls for a staged, gradual reintroduction of nourishment after reanastomosis, starting with small amounts and increasing as tolerance and healing allow. This approach supports healing and nutrition without overloading the healing bowel.

Starting dietary advancement immediately after surgery isn’t aligned with this healing-focused plan, because it can burden the fresh anastomosis. Saying there’s no dietary change after reanastomosis contradicts the purpose of allowing the bowel to recover and then progress the diet. Indefinite avoidance of all food would lead to malnutrition and impede healing, which isn’t a standard recovery strategy.