Thought I'd weigh (ha, pun intended) on this - better late than never. Like you, I was concerned that things might get "impaired" in the digestive department after surgery, so I knocked out meat, added fats and anything else that might act as a binder for about a week before surgery. It wasn't all that different than the way I usually eat, I was just more regimented and aware. I also upped my fiber intake considerably for the last few day. I am not sure if my healthy eating had a direct effect or not, but it at least made me feel like I was in control of something!
On the flip side, steroids had the same effect on me as on Catherine (JerseyGirl2) - I was hungry! Funny thing was that I was only hungry for fruit and vegetables - which also served to get my digestive system operating at peak efficiency! I didn't actually gain any weight after surgery, but I don't think I lost any either.
Isn't this great? Where else can you talk about bodily functions like this???
Debbi