Post-Operative Care
Food & Eating Guide
Following the right diet after surgery supports healing and minimizes complications. Progress through each phase at your own pace — listen to your body and advance when comfortable.
Dietary Progression
Day 1
First 24 Hours
No-chew diet only
Yogurt
Pudding
Soup
Applesauce
Ice cream
Protein shake
Days 2–5
Days 2 – 5
Add minimal-chew foods
Eggs
Pasta
Mashed potatoes
Pancakes
+ all Day 1 foods
Days 5–10
Days 5 – 10
Introduce softer chewy foods
Pizza
Chicken
Breads
+ all prior foods
Day 10+
Day 10 and Beyond
Resume normal diet
All foods permitted
A note on jaw soreness
As you advance to chewier foods, your jaw muscles may feel sore or fatigued — this is completely normal. After days of limited use, the muscles simply need time to recondition. Start with smaller bites, chew slowly on both sides, and don't push through significant discomfort. Soreness that worsens rather than improves should be reported to our office.
Guidelines
Avoid for 7–10 Days
- Crunchy or crispy foods
- Acidic or spicy foods
- Grains, seeds, rice, oatmeal, chia
- Straws of any kind
Do
- Chew on both sides of your mouth
- Rinse gently with water after every meal
- Expect some bleeding at the site after meals — this is normal
Do Not
- Spit
- Smoke
- Use straws
Hydration & Nutrition
Adequate fluid intake and nutrition are essential to healing. A restricted diet can make it easy to fall short — prioritize both intentionally throughout your recovery.
- Drink water consistently throughout the day — aim for at least 6–8 glasses, more if you feel tired or lightheaded
- Supplement meals with protein shakes when solid food feels difficult; adequate protein is critical for tissue repair
- A daily multivitamin supports recovery — Vitamin C and Zinc in particular support wound healing
- Fatigue and sluggishness after surgery are often signs of dehydration or low caloric intake, not just the procedure itself