8. Managing Flatus

Patient is able to identify potential complications, preventive measures for, and management of, flatus.

Suggestions for managing flatus include:

• Eat regular balanced meals. Skipping meals is more likely to increase gas production. Initially after surgery there will be more gas as well as noise due to the fact that the bowel has been handled and is empty. Gas and noise will lessen once diet and activity is resumed.
• Eat slowly, chew food well.
• Avoid gum chewing or situations such as smoking, mouth breathing, drinking carbonated drinks or sucking on ice chips – all of these encourage swallowing large amounts of air.
• Be aware of potential gas producing foods and experiment by excluding them from your diet.

Troublesome foods may include:

• vegetables of the cabbage family
• asparagus
• sweet potatoes
• onions
• milk and milk products
• dried beans and peas
• spicy foods
• beer
• cheeses such as Roquefort, Brie and other strong cheeses
  
  

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