geting ready for your surgery

Diet you should follow prior your trip.

What To Eat Before a Procedure

You’re likely starting to understand that a smooth pre- and post-op experience requires a commitment to health and wellness that starts weeks, months, or even years in advance.

You should be prepared to start making changes at least 4-6 weeks before your surgery date. Start by avoiding processed foods and refined carbohydrates, which can promote inflammation. The best foods are whole foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, eggs, beans, avocados, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Anything from a box, can or container is going to be less than ideal for your body at this time. Berries are a great way to start your day because they contain antioxidants and easily absorbed nutrients. You should also consider eating non-starchy vegetables throughout the day, including:

Artichokes
Asparagus
Celery
Onions
Bell peppers
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Cabbage
Zucchini
Green beans
Brussels sprouts

Foods To Eat

Fiber

Many people experience constipation after surgery. In order to combat this, you should make sure you are consuming a good amount of fiber. Fiber-rich foods include whole grain foods like oatmeal, as well as fruits and vegetables.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are important for keeping your energy levels up both before and after your surgery. You can increase your carb intake by consuming high-fiber foods like whole grains and legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans), which can also prevent constipation.

Protein

Proteins contain amino acids that are essential to the healing and growth of tissues. Healthy proteins can be found in lean meats such as poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, and tofu. Dairy products are also a good source of protein but may worsen any constipation you may experience from pain meds. You can also try adding protein supplements to your diet.

Healthy Fats

Fat helps your body to better absorb nutrients from your food and sustain energy levels. Healthy fats come from nuts, seeds, and avocado; good fat can also be incorporated into your diet by using ingredients like coconut or olive oil.

Vitamins and Minerals

Making sure you get the correct vitamins in your diet is essential to a good recovery. Vitamin A (carrots, spinach, kale) and Vitamin C (citrus, berries, bell pepper) are both used by the body to help with wound healing. Vitamin D (fish, milk, fortified cereal) is important for bone health. Vitamin K (leafy greens, vegetable oil, fish, liver) is used to aid in the clotting of blood, and Vitamin E (nuts, vegetable oils, fish) helps eliminate free radicals from the body.

Zinc and iron are also a vital part of wound healing. You can find these in foods like meat, dairy, seafood, apricots, eggs, and iron-fortified cereals.

Hydration

Staying hydrated is probably the most important thing you can do for your health, both pre- and post-surgery. Proper hydration helps to combat constipation, aids in the absorption of essential nutrients and meds, and speeds up healing. You should be drinking eight glasses of water per day, especially following a surgical procedure.

Pineapple and Papaya

These fruits contain protease enzymes (bromelain and papain) that can help with inflammation and swelling, so try to eat them after surgery to help speed up recovery. However, pineapple is also high in salicylates, so your doctor may tell you to avoid it prior to surgery.

Three weeks before surgery:

Stop taking all nutritional and herbal supplements (vitamins, herbals, minerals etc.). A complete list will be given to you during your preoperative appointment.

*The only exception to this is calcium, Vitamin D and iron.

NOT THAT:

Alcohol
Omega-3 fatty acids
High-sodium foods
Smoking and vaping