Preoperative preparation from a nutritional point of view

Are you going to have surgery?   Perhaps the last concern   when preparing for surgery is to maintain a healthy diet , but the success of the operation and the rapid recovery also depend on the diet followed before the procedure.

It is important to know that the result of the medical procedure ,as well as the process of quick recovery, can be directly correlated with healthy eating ,which you will have to adopt until the intervention.

Some people who are going to do such an intervention will ask the doctor to take Arnica to reduce bruising, with the aim of avoiding direct influences of the recovery and healing process ,due to the fact that they are not preparing as they should beforehand , for the scheduled operation .

It is very normal that after   surgery, swelling, bruising, redness, scars and even reduced mobility of patients appear. Thus, by following a healthy diet, as well as by adding some supplements, many of the specific effects of postoperative healing will be minimized.

The doctors of the Cosmedica clinic recommend a preoperative diet that will help balance the state of health in the phase of postoperative recovery .

Here are 10 key indications from a nutritional point of view :

• Consume a lot of water, including before taking meals (30 minutes before);
• Eat more fruits and vegetables than you usually eat ;
• Consume a large number of proteins and fewer carbohydrates than you usually do . Protein can still be directed as the most important food to consume before surgery (56 grams/day for men).

Proteins are found in all cells, tissues and organs of the body. Foods rich in proteins contain amino acids, which are used to produce new blood and tissues , helping to support the immune system .

• Do not diet before surgery!
• Consume food in smaller quantities and set out to eat more often than usual: healthy meals and snacks at 4-5 hours.
• Stop smoking!
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Includes in the daily program movement: 30 minutes of walking , exercise , preferably
• Make sure you get enough sleep.
• Avoids taking Aspirin or other drugs an nonspecific anti-inflammatory for 7-10 days. During the consultation, the doctor will provide you with specific instructions about the medicines that will be administered to

What are the supplements that will help you ?

Before the intervention, you should avoid certain supplements – the doctor will present you with a list during the consultation. A number of supplements should be avoided at least 3 weeks before the surgical procedure , since they act as blood thinning agents .

There are also supplements that can help you during preoperative preparation and postoperative healing :

• Arnica
• Bromelain
• Vitamin A+C
• B – Vitamins
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Copper
• Vitamin K (helps blood clotting )

Doctor’s advice!

Vitamin E is recommended to be taken from food, vitamin E supplements can affect blood clotting .

Great attention!

Any supplements you take or plan   to take – homeopathic products , vitamins or herbal supplements – it is necessary to first consult your surgeon , who will perform the intervention. Some supplements interfere with blood clotting and could cause certain complications and even the surgical result. Also, the doctor will be able to indicate stopping the administration of supplements until after the operation.

What kind of menu is recommended before the operation?

Some examples of healthy foods :

• Proteins: chicken, fish, lean red meat, eggs, soy, tofu, nuts, beans
• Cereals: brown rice, wholewheat bread
• Dairy products: milk, yogurt, cheese, alternatives to vegetable milk
• Fruits: apples, citrus fruits, strawberries, bananas, avocados, berries
• Vegetables: carrots,broccoli, lettuce, sweet potatoes, bell peppers
• Healthy fats: olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado.

Anesthesia can cause nausea and vomiting , and if the stomach is empty before the operation, complications will be excluded . Depending on the type of anesthesia that will be performed, the doctor may ask you not to consume any food or liquids at all.

In conclusion, for the proper conduct of the operation and the optimal healing, there is no need to consume a complex diet, but only to make sure that the intake of nutrients is the right one. In fact, it is important to focus on maintaining a balanced diet ,which contains foods from all categories of food.

The   sooner, the better – to prepare your body from a nutritional point of view , you can integrate healthy eating habits into the diet from the moment of programming.