Your surgery date is coming up and you want to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself! You’ve probably organised your compression garments, your carer, and all the other little bits and pieces that you’ve seen others recommend….but what about your diet? This blog will explain how eating healthy pre and post-surgery can help you recover from your procedure as quickly as possible.
What Foods Should You Eat Before Surgery?
To ensure your body has the best possible chance of recovery, it’s recommended that you look after your body – both inside and out. This means, getting an appropriate amount of sleep, regular exercise, and eating plenty of healthy, balanced foods. Before surgery is NOT the time to start a new fad diet. Healthy eating will also ensure you don’t come down with any unwanted bugs or flu prior to your big day.
- Make sure you’re eating a healthy, well-balanced diet (fats, protein, carbs, fresh vegetables, fruit)
- Avoid foods that are high in sugar and saturated fats
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Drink plenty of water
What Foods Should You Avoid Eating?
Certain foods can interact with the anaesthetic and can influence bleeding during and after your procedure. It’s vital that you inform your doctor of all the supplements that you’re taking.
For Example:
- Vitamin C can reduce the effectiveness of the anaesthetic.
- Fish oil, Vitamin E, Turmeric, Garlic, Coenzyme Q10 may thin the blood and increase your risk of bleeding.
Your doctor will give you pre and postoperative instructions to follow before and after surgery. These instructions will usually include supplement and diet requirements so it’s important that you read things carefully to ensure the best possible outcome.
What Foods Should You Eat After Surgery?
After surgery, your body will require adequate nutrition to support its healing and inflammatory processes. If your body doesn’t receive adequate levels of nutrition, it can increase your risk of infection and delay wound healing, which will increase your risk of scarring.
It’s important to continue the well-balanced diet you’ve been following in the lead up to your procedure. With a focus on the following:
Tips and Tricks
- As you might experience postoperative nausea and vomiting in the first few days, it’s important to keep food around that you really enjoy and that won’t upset your stomach.
- Keep some icy poles on hand if you’re feeling nauseous
- Eat small, regular meals
- Consider meal prepping before surgery, you might not feel up to cooking afterwards.
What’s The Ideal Surgery Diet?
The ideal surgery diet will look different for everyone depending on nutritional requirements, allergies, or general taste! If you’re unsure of what the best diet is for you, we recommend that you speak with your doctor.
Note: This pre- and post-surgery diet are applicable to breast surgery, mummy makeover, and other surgeries that we offer.
Please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team should you want to have a frank , open, honest consultation. Call us today at 1300 378 336 or email rena@esteemstudio.com.au
Once again, thank you very much for reading our blog. If you have questions, feel free to fill up the form at the bottom to drop us an email. One of our staff will respond to you shortly.
