How long after stomach polyp surgery can you eat sunflower seeds?

Generally, patients can eat sunflower seeds about 30 days after undergoing surgery for gastric polyps. In the early postoperative period, patients should follow a liquid diet and gradually transition to a normal diet, with moderate consumption of sunflower seeds allowed later. The detailed explanation is as follows:

After gastric polyp surgery, digestive function may be impaired. Therefore, in the early recovery phase, patients should adhere to a liquid diet, such as porridge, lotus root powder, and fruit juice. These foods are easy to digest and do not place excessive strain on the stomach. As the patient's body gradually recovers—usually around 30 days post-surgery—they can slowly progress from a liquid diet to a semi-liquid diet and eventually resume a normal diet. During this time, patients should follow the principle of eating small, frequent meals to avoid consuming too much food at once.

Sunflower seeds are relatively hard, usually consumed with their shells, and are high in fat. Eating them too early after surgery may trigger indigestion or even cause bleeding at the site where the polyp was removed. However, as the patient recovers and appetite improves, moderate consumption of sunflower seeds may be acceptable. It is important to note that sunflower seeds are high in oil content and difficult to digest; therefore, intake should be controlled to prevent indigestion caused by overconsumption.

During the recovery period, patients should increase their nutritional intake and strive for a balanced diet. They should consume adequate amounts of high-protein, low-fat, vitamin-rich, and mineral-rich foods such as lean meat, fish, and eggs. Spicy, greasy, hard, or otherwise irritating foods should be avoided to prevent additional stress on the stomach or interference with wound healing.