18 Nov Food Matters – The Importance of Diet Post Surgery

Once patients have gone out of the surgery room and back to their homes, their first instinct is often to refuel using home meals and wash away the stale taste of jello and mildly seasoned foods.

However, post-surgery nutrition is not just about making patients feel back at home but is also about getting them back on track after surgery by focusing on healing and recovery. In this article, we will look at the importance of diet post-surgery and the best tips to fulfill the nutritional needs of patients after surgery.

Why Diet Matters Post-Surgery?

Whenever patients come out of the OR and into the recovery room, their diet is especially taken care of. Here are the five main reasons why following a proper post-surgery diet is important.

It Promotes Healing and Recovery

A nutrient-rich diet is essential for post operative home care since it provides the body with all the essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins needed to repair tissue and heal wounds. Most helpful in healing are proteins, which supply amino acids critical to cellular regeneration and production of new tissues.

Supports Immune Function

The immune system should work optimally after surgery since exposed wounds can often lead to infections, which can eventually lead to surgical complications. Therefore, post-surgery diet often includes food products rich in zinc and vitamin C, both of may help strengthen the immune system.

Manages Inflammation

The surgical wound does get inflamed after surgery, which is why doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory foods such as omega-3 fatty acids to patients. Not only do they help with reducing pain and swelling, but they may also promote quick recovery and put the healing process back on track.

Maintaining Energy Levels

Blood loss and overall trauma often lead to fatigue and weakness in the body. Since proper energy levels have to be maintained, doctors prescribe foods, often combinations of fats and carbohydrates, to ensure sustained energy levels, which will aid in physical recovery and daily functioning.

Preventing Post-Surgical Complications

The entire body is in turmoil after surgery. Patients can often find themselves facing issues like constipation. Putting too much pressure on the body during bowel movements can create complications, which is why post-surgery nutrition is focused on dealing with that. Things like proper hydration and fiber-rich foods are often prescribed, which allow people to heal without the risk of malnutrition.

Enhancing Medicine Effectiveness

A proper diet is necessary in ensuring that the body absorbs medication properly and minimizes side effects such as nausea and GI issues. Post-surgical diet also focuses on maintaining the blood sugar levels of the body, which has a big impact on how long it takes for the surgical wound to heal properly.

Maintaining Muscle Mass

While minor surgeries often lead to patients staying inside the recovery room for only a day, major surgeries often require patients to stay inside recovery facilities for days, even months, in certain situations. In that case, the loss of muscle mass is almost a given. Therefore, post-surgery nutrition works towards maintaining muscle mass and strength, which is key in recovery of physical function once surgery is done.

Post-Surgical Diet Tips

Once patients are out of the hospital, it falls on the families to take care of their dietary needs. Here are the main post-surgery nutritional tips to keep in mind.

Focus on Protein-Rich Food

The first nutritional need that every patient in surgical recovery has is protein. Tissues have to build again and the surgical wound has to heal as quickly as possible. Therefore, it is important to eat proper portions of lean meats like turkey and chicken, which are proven to help the body heal the fastest. However, for vegetarian patients, protein supplements prescribed by the surgeon are also good options. For those new to supplements, 15 grams for the first few days and then switching to 30 grams later is good enough.

Staying Hydrated

It is important to stay hydrated since fluids help with flushing out toxins while maintaining proper blood flow and ensuring that the body functions optimally throughout recovery. Ideally, 8 to 10 glasses a day is a must. Fiber-rich foods such as cucumbers, watermelons, and soups should also not be ignored. That being said, it is important to monitor the amount of water taken. Too much intake can also create issues.

Focusing on Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Patients should pick anti-inflammatory foods since they help reduce swelling while easing pain and accelerating recovery. Our best picks for anti-inflammatory foods are leafy greens, berries, and spinach. For meat eaters, mackerel fish, turmeric, ginger, and nuts can also help. Rich in antioxidants, these foods have healthy fats that counteract inflammation and ensure that recovery is fast.

Avoiding Sugary and Processed Foods

While there is no denying the taste of sugary and processed goods, especially bread and pastries, they can cause inflammation, which eventually slows down the healing process. Therefore, patients are advised that until the entire recovery process is complete, they should stay away from chips, pastries, sodas, or fried items.

Foods that people intake for recovery should be dense with nutrients. Foods such as smoothies and a handful of unsalted nuts are enough to energize the body and help it heal properly. 

Eat Fiber-Rich Foods

Post-surgical constipation is common. Therefore, it is advised that patients eat fiber-rich foods like oatmeal, whole grain bread, fresh fruits, and vegetables daily. Steamed vegetables are also suitable for those whose stomachs have grown sensitive after surgery.

Conclusion

Food matters a lot once surgery is complete, and patients cannot hope to return to their normal lives if they don’t make some compromises. Nutrition before taste should be the motto, and eating clean is the only way to get life back on track.

 Editor’s note:  Be sure to discuss your post surgical diet with your surgeon or dietician before discharge.  Some conditions may require a specialized diet, ie diabetic, low sodium, nut/seed free etc.  The content in this blog is for general information only and should not be construed as specific medical advice.

For more information:

1. https://www.templehealth.org/about/blog/6-tips-for-good-nutrition-after-surgery 
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8156786/

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Last Updated on November 18, 2024 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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