Good food helps your wound and bones heal, and simple habits keep constipation away. Eat regular meals with enough protein, fibre and fluids, and keep walking. This page shows what to eat, how to prevent constipation and when to ask for help.
Reviewed by Dr. Kshitij Chaudhary, Last reviewed November 2026
At our spine clinic at P.D. Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, Mumbai, we see how much good food helps recovery. This page applies after any spine surgery. If you have diabetes, or a heart, kidney or liver problem, or your doctor gave you a special diet, follow that first. If your surgeon gave you different instructions, follow those first.
What should I eat after spine surgery?
Eat regular, simple home-cooked meals. You do not need a special diet or expensive supplements. Try to include these every day:
- Protein to heal the wound and rebuild muscle: dal, chana, rajma, paneer, curd, milk and sprouts; eggs; chicken and fish
- Fibre from whole-grain rotis (wheat, jowar, bajra or ragi), brown rice, oats, vegetables, salads and whole fruit
- Fruit and vegetables, including green leafy vegetables, at most meals
- Calcium from milk, curd, paneer, ragi and sesame (til)
Your appetite may be low for the first few days. Eat small meals more often instead of skipping meals.
What helps my bones heal?
Bones need protein, calcium and vitamin D. This matters most after a fusion.
- Get some morning sunlight on your arms and legs when you can. Sunlight is a good source of vitamin D.
- Your vitamin D level is checked before surgery. If it is low, we will advise a supplement. Many patients take one 60,000 unit dose once a month. Read about Vitamin D deficiency: what it means for your bones.
- We may have prescribed you calcium tablets. Calcium is required for bone healing especially if you have had a fusion. Read Calcium Tablets: Which One and How to Take It.
- If you smoke or chew tobacco, stay stopped. Tobacco slows healing and can stop a fusion from healing.
How much should I drink?
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day, mostly water. Buttermilk (chaas), coconut water and dal soup count too. If a doctor has limited your fluids because of a heart, kidney or liver problem, follow that advice instead.
Why does constipation happen after surgery?
Painkillers, especially tramadol, slow your bowels. You are also moving less than usual, and your food and routine have changed. It is very common, and it usually settles as you walk more and need less medicine.
How can I prevent and treat constipation?
- Walk every day and drink plenty of fluids through the day.
- Eat fibre-rich food. Add it slowly over a few days, and drink more water as you do.
- Papaya, banana, soaked prunes or figs (anjeer) and a warm drink in the morning can help.
- Sit on a commode or raised toilet seat, and do not strain. If you have an Indian-style toilet, see Daily Life at Home After Spine Surgery for how to set it up.
- Cut down your painkillers as your pain allows. See Managing Pain at Home After Spine Surgery.
- If food and walking do not help, ask us about a laxative. Tell us before you take any churan or herbal laxative.
What about tea, coffee and alcohol?
Have tea and coffee between meals, not with them, because they reduce how much iron you absorb. Do not drink alcohol while you take painkillers.
Do I need iron?
Some people lose blood during surgery. Iron-rich foods help rebuild it: green leafy vegetables, chana, rajma, dates, jaggery, eggs and meat. Vitamin C from lemon, amla, guava or orange helps your body absorb iron. Take iron tablets only if your doctor prescribes them.
When should I call you?
Call us if constipation lasts for several days, or comes with pain, vomiting or a swollen tummy. If you cannot pass urine, or you lose control of your bladder or bowels, go straight to the emergency department. See When to Call Us After Spine Surgery.
Other resources
Walking After Spine Surgery, Daily Life at Home After Spine Surgery, Managing Pain at Home After Spine Surgery and your rehab plan: Rehab protocol following lumbar discectomy, Rehab protocol following lumbar decompression or Rehab protocol following lumbar fusion.
This page is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Please see a doctor for advice about your own symptoms.