There can be two different reasons why we may opt for surgery. On the one hand, as we get older, the ageing process can make our bodies extremely fragile, and if we were to have a fall or some kind of health condition, the process of surgery can seriously aid us from repairing our bodies.
On the other hand, surgery has also become a cosmetic need in today’s generation. With the growth of social media and influences in the media, it’s having a major impact on how society sees themselves to others and reverting to cosmetic surgery procedures to change how they look.
Even when surgeries are planned, there is still some form of trauma that you may experience, including the following:
- Decreased mobility
- Infection
- Weight loss or gain
- Loss of energy
However, it’s important to remember that the purpose of surgery is to improve your quality of life. Whilst you may experience some discomfort shortly after the surgery, the long term benefits of the surgery can be ideal. One way to smooth your recovery after surgery is through your nutrition. If you have experienced loss of appetite after surgery, you can read about how to improve your appetite after surgery.
6 Foods to Help Promote Healing After Surgery
Foods to Have to Aid Surgical Recovery
What you eat through your diet can contribute to your overall bodily functions, including increased healing and fighting off infections. The 8 foods that are outlined in this article are a great source for these attributes and ensure your recovery can be as smooth as possible.
1. Berries
Antioxidants found in many fruits are a primary source of recovery as they help the body to repair when it’s been grazed or damaged. Fruits also have vitamin C, which helps to rebuild collagen, which improves skin cells and generates new skin for the body. This will ensure your incisions heal quicker. Fruits to have after surgery include:
- Grapes
- Pomegranates
- Blueberry
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Blackberry
2. Vegetables
Another source of important nutrients in the body is from vegetables which have many vitamins and minerals key to your recovery. Vegetables that you should consider as part of your meal include the following:
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussel sprouts
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
Maintaining energy throughout your recovery is important as the surgery itself would have taken a toll on your body significantly. Vegetables that are mentioned above are a great source of carbohydrates to help battle the fatigue you’re likely to experience. It can boost your brain function and prevent your muscles from breaking down during recovery.
There is also plenty of fibre in vegetables which reduces constipation that is common to experience after going through surgery. This is due to the side effects that you can have from the pain medication you take and the decrease in mobility.
3. Fats
When dietitians mention fats, you tend to think that it’s a source of food that’s unhealthy for your body. However, healthy fats can be your best friend when it comes to recovery from surgery. This is because the vitamins and minerals that you get from the fruit and vegetables are being absorbed from the healthy fats. This can strengthen your immune system and prevent the chance of infection from the surgery.
Healthy fats to consider include:
- Avocados
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
By including fats in your diet, you can help maintain long-lasting energy and consume Vitamin E, which helps to heal wounds faster and reduce the appearance of scars following surgery.
4. Dark Leafy Greens
They may not be the most appetising source of food compared to your fruits and vegetables, but dark leafy greens are vitally important to your diet when it comes to recovery. A great thing about leafy greens is that you can serve them on your plate as a side in your meal or include them in your smoothies. They are a prime source for many of your vitamins, including vitamin A, C, E and K.
Leafy greens to have in your diet include:
- Spinach
- Kale
- Mustard Greens
- Romaine Lettuce
Leafy greens practically act as multivitamins because of the number of complex vitamins that they contain, which is why they’re so important for your diet.
5. Meat and alternatives
Meats are extremely important for your muscles within your diet. This is due to their protein content which helps to repair muscles whenever they’re torn or damaged. During your surgery, your muscles would have most likely been damaged or manipulated in some kind of way. The amino acids found in protein regenerates muscle tissue to help speed up wound healing and repair your muscles.
Protein stocked up foods include:
- Poultry
- Seafood
- Nuts
- Eggs
- Tofu
6. Water
One ingredient that’s definitely a must in your diet is consuming plenty of water. The majority of your body is made up of water, and you would have likely lost the majority of this during your surgery. It’s also important to keep hydrated throughout your recovery as dehydration will be a common factor in your surgical procedure. How much water you need to consume will be dependent on your medications and what type of surgical procedure you had.
Water isn’t for everyone can be unappealing, so to help you out here are some top tips to make it easier to consume:
- Add a little flavour in your water with a slice of lime or lemon
- Coconut water is a good alternative
- Prepare a smoothie with extra fluid
- Have herbal teas
Final thoughts
Give yourself the best possible chance of recovering well from your surgery by consuming the foods mentioned above. Whether you’re going through a breast augmentation or required surgery after experiencing an unfortunate fall, the same diet will still apply for your recovery.
The type of surgery that you have may restrict some of the foods that you have, but you can be sure that these list of foods will benefit you in the best possible way for your surgical recovery. They’ll speed up the healing, reduce the chance of infection and increase your strength throughout the process.
