When can you begin eating solid food after esophagus hernia surgery?

A patient cannot eat solid foods for four weeks after esophagus hernia surgery, and then must begin with soft foods, according to MedlinePlus. Once eating solid foods, the patient should avoid all cold foods and must not eat rice, bread or other foods that form clumps when eaten.

The first two weeks after hiatal hernia and esophageal surgery, the patient must stick to a clear liquid diet, drinking a single cup of room-temperature or warm liquids at a time. During the next two weeks post-surgery, the patient can expand the types of liquids taken, but must still avoid solid food, explains MedlinePlus.