Pre and Post-Operative Diet and Nutrition
Pre and Post-Operative Diet and
Nutrition
Prepared by: Michal Sealy and Fiona Phillips
Background
Surgery is
very stressful for the body. More energy and nutrients are required to
rehabilitate than would normally be needed. Nutrition, before and after the
surgery, is one of the fundamentals for successful recovery. Proper diet
ensures a satisfactory store in the body to fight against the physical and
metabolic trauma of surgery.
The right
nutrition, before surgery, prepares the body to withstand the process of
surgery, reduces complications, and improves outcomes. After surgery, it
accelerates wound healing, combats infections, and replenishes lost energy for
an early return to daily life. Be it minor or major surgery, what you eat can
make a huge difference in your recovery process. This blog provides insights
into pre- and post-operative dietary strategies based on reliable resources and
research.
Creativity
and Originality
Let's view
the surgery and healing process like one big marathon, not a sprint. Much as
the professional athlete might engage in extensive training with a calculated
diet plan, so must the body be prepared to take on the challenge of surgery.
Think of your body as a sophisticated machine where every different type of
nutrient plays a vital role in keeping it all running smoothly. Proper
nutrition acts as the premium fuel that helps the body not just endure the
stress of surgery but thrive through it.
Picture
this: pre-surgery, your body is like a well-trained sportsman with all the
ingredients of a healthy diet available in store to put up a stellar
performance. Post-surgery, it becomes a repair team, laying the building blocks
with what you eat to repair tissues and rebuild inside. This food is your tool
to face this transition not just in a healthy but a strong way. You're
literally fueling yourself for the battle.
Evidence-Based
Data
Pre-Operative
Nutrition
Preparing
for any surgery goes beyond just medical advice; it involves setting your body
right to face the imminent stress. Nutrition in this period includes building
up energy stores and repairing body cells.
Protein
The
nutrition derived from eggs, lean chicken, tofu, and beans is important in
maintaining muscle mass and contributing to overall body strength. Protein
further aids in keeping your immune systems strong to protect against any
chances of infections after surgery.
Whole
grains, brown rice, and sweet potatoes provide sustained energy, building up
stores in the body to support metabolic demands during surgery.
Hydration is
key. Water, herbal teas, and electrolyte-balanced drinks help maintain basic
bodily functions and minimize risks associated with dehydration during fasting.
Small, Frequent Meals
Eating small, nutrient-rich meals leading up to surgery can help prevent bloating and discomfort while still giving the body the required nutrients.
According to
Aster Hospitals patients are advised to avoid heavy meals at least 6-8 hours
before surgery. This reduces the risk of aspiration and complications during
the procedure.
Post-Operative
Nutrition
Recovery is
one of the most important stages in which nutrition will be needed to repair
your damaged tissues, regain lost energy, and strengthen your immune system.
Your diet should now revolve around nutrient-dense foods that are easy to
digest and filled with healing properties.
Protein-Rich
Foods
Lean meats,
fish, eggs, legumes, and protein shakes assist in repairing tissues and
regenerating muscles.
Vitamin C
naturally boosts collagen synthesis to quicken wound healing. Citrus fruits,
strawberries, and bell peppers are high in Vitamin C. Leafy greens and carrots
are a good source of vitamins and antioxidants that tackle free radicals and
reduce inflammation.
This mineral
provides a boost in the body's wound-healing capacities and resistance against
infections. Zinc is found in nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
Water is
very important after surgery to help the body clear off toxins and also support
proper absorption of nutrients in the body. Soups, broths, and herbal teas are
good sources of fluids and nutrients.
As shared in the video "Nutrition After Surgery: How to Fuel Your Recovery", adding in easy to-digest items like soups, smoothies, and purées allows your body to take in its nutrients without putting extra effort on the digestive system.
Video
Insights
"Nutrition
After Surgery"
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fva3fgKmu3o)
This video
encompasses the types of food that can enhance the recovery process after
surgery. There is great emphasis on nutrient-dense liquids and soft foods,
including soups, stews, and smoothies, which play an important role in the
initial stages of recovery.
"Pre-Operative
Nutrition Class"
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fg3otGQXQM)
This video
enlightens on dos and don'ts concerning pre-operative nutrition. It emphasizes
the importance of avoiding solid foods for 8 hours before the surgery in order
to minimize complications. Hydration and light, balanced meals are emphasized
as vital parts of the preparatory process.
1. Prepare
Your Meals in Advance: Store food that will be easy to access after your
recovery.
2. Medical
Guidance: These are general guidelines only, and specific dietary instructions
provided by your healthcare professional should be followed if you have
diabetes, hypertension, or other conditions.
3. Gradual
Progression: Clear liquids should be taken first after surgery, followed by
soft foods, and then advancement to a regular diet as tolerated.
Referencing
1. Aster Hospitals. Guidelines on pre- and post-surgery meals. [Aster Hospitals Blog](https://www.asterhospitals.in/blogs-events-news/aster-rv-bangalore/what-eat-and-after-surgery-guidelines-pre-and-post-surgery-meals)
2. Tyler Bariatrics. Pre-Surgery Diet Guide. [Tyler Bariatrics PDF](https://tylerbariatrics.com/sites/default/files/basic_page_files/PresurgeryDiet.pdf)
3. YouTube. Nutrition after surgery: [Watch here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fva3fgKmu3o)
4.
YouTube.
Pre-Operative Nutrition Class: [Watch here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fg3otGQXQM)
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