Cancer Surgery: What You Should Know

If you’ve recently had surgery, your focus was probably on recovery—managing pain, getting rest, and following your doctor’s instructions...​..But there’s something else that you might have dismissed: your microbiome.

Surgery often comes with antibiotics (administered orally or through IV), which are necessary to prevent infection but can also wipe out the good bacteria in your gut. This imbalance can lead to digestive issues, weakened immunity, and even slow down your recovery.

The good news? You can rebuild your microbiome and support your body’s natural healing process. Let’s break it down.

What happens to your gut after surgery?

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that help with digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and even mood regulation. But after a course of antibiotics, this delicate ecosystem can take a hit.

You might notice bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or just feeling off. And since your gut is closely connected to your immune system, an unbalanced microbiome can make it harder for your body to fight off infections and heal properly.

How to restore your microbiome for better healing?

Rebuilding your gut health isn’t complicated, but it does take some intention. Here’s where to start:

1. Load up on probiotics – These are the good bacteria that help repopulate your gut. You can find them in fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir for example.

2. Eat more prebiotics – Prebiotics are fibers that feed good bacteria, helping them grow. Foods like garlic, onions, leeks, bananas, sunchokes and asparagus are great sources.

3. Avoid processed foods & sugar – These can feed harmful bacteria and yeast, making it harder for your gut to recover. Stick to whole, nutrient-dense foods.

4. Stay hydrated – Water, tea, smoothies and juices help keep digestion smooth and supports the growth of beneficial bacteria.

5. Manage stress & get enough sleep – Your gut and brain are closely linked, so stress and lack of sleep can throw off your microbiome. Try deep breathing, gentle movement, or meditation to support both your gut and your recovery.

Why is your microbiome so important when healing from Cancer?

A healthy gut isn’t just about digestion.. it’s the foundation for how you feel, think, and heal.

Your microbiome influences everything from your energy levels to your immune system to the clarity of your mind. When it’s out of balance, you feel it, and sometimes it's in ways you don’t even realize are connected.

Taking care of your microbiome is a fundamental part of recovery. If you ignore it, you’re asking your body to heal without the resources it desperately needs.

But when you support it, you give yourself a much better chance to feel stronger, clearer, and more resilient, because healing isn’t just about time, but also about what you do in the meantime.

I really do hope that this will help, and if you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to reach out!

And if you'd like to learn more, click here to check out my program where I dive deep into every topic to help people heal and prevent relapse.

Sending you love,

-Daphne