Patients undergoing surgery are at risk for developing circulatory problems such as hypovolemic shock due to loss of fluids and blood. Patients undergoing major procedures, as well as those in generally poor health, are most at risk for fluid loss.

The spleen is located behind the stomach in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It is approximately five inches long by three inches wide, and just under two inches thick.

You should avoid certain foods and dietary supplements before surgery. Some foods leave a residue in your digestive tract that may complicate intestinal surgeries or cause diarrhea. In addition to this, having food in your system may cause nausea and vomiting.

The gastrointestinal system begins with the mouth, esophagus and stomach. The stomach connects to the small intestine which transitions to become the colon, part of the large intestine. Finally, the large intestine terminates as the rectum.

A hernia develops when a portion of the intestine protrudes through a weakened section of the abdominal wall, belly button or groin. If the hernia can't be reduced or pushed back into the abdomen in a doctor's office, an affected patient may require hernia surgery.

Vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism can be treated by a surgical procedure known as LASIK, or laser eye surgery. According to the American Academy of Opthalmology, laser eye surgery involves the use of a laser to reshape the cornea in the front of the eye.

After oral surgery, a liquid diet is often the focus of your diet. Blended and pureed foods often need to be thin enough to pass through a straw or your teeth and easily swallowed.

Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs as a result of entrapment of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel in the elbow. This means that the nerve is compressed, causing hand and arm pain that can be debilitating. The precise cause of the entrapment is unknown.

The appendix is a small finger-like pouch located on the intestines near where the small intestine meets the colon. Stool may block the appendix and cause an infection from trapped bacteria. This infection, referred to as appendicitis, requires surgical removal of the organ, referred to as an appendectomy.

Shoulder instability, shoulder dislocations, arthritis and rotator cuff tears are among the reasons why you may elect to undergo shoulder surgery. While there is no specific diet to follow after shoulder surgery, maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet can be beneficial to your recovery.

A hernia may require surgical treatment in certain patients. The two major types of hernia surgery include laparoscopic hernia repair, a minimally invasive procedure, and open hernia repair.

During most surgeries, the patient is made unconscious and paralyzed to protect him from pain and damage from involuntary movement. As a result of this paralysis, machines called ventilators must take over the work of breathing for the patient.