Many questions arise before and after surgery, one of them has to do with nutrition, because knowing how to choose the foods to consume before and after one of these procedures can be the key to having a good recovery.

In both cases, the body needs a lot of energy due to the stress to which it is subjected. The stress that occurs during surgery can lead to weight and muscle loss, inflammation, poor healing, as well as other complications such as infections. Therefore, more and more research shows that having a certain type of nutrition in the weeks before and after surgery can help reduce risks to achieve better progress. 

“Just as you wouldn’t fast before running a big race, you need to prepare your body to have the strength and energy it needs to undergo surgery.”

Increase nutrient intake

To support recovery, before and after surgery, it is ideal to consume high-quality protein and complex carbohydrates. And, despite the fact that you are resting while the surgery is taking place, the body is burning calories to help it heal.

Helps immune function with arginine and Omega3 The stress caused by surgery can unleash inflammation and lead to complications, and it could continue to be experienced over several weeks, weakening the immune system and making the patient more prone to infections.

Therefore, it is recommended to follow a nutrition that contains immunostimulating ingredients, such as arginine and the fatty acid known as Omega 3.

These nutrients can also be consumed through specialized immunonutrition drinks, which are recommended to be ingested one week before and one week after surgery.

Maintain Strength and Energy with Protein

In older adults, three days of bed rest can cause up to 10 percent of total muscle loss in one leg.

Due to the above, it is recommended that people get up and start moving as soon as possible after surgery, as this allows them to preserve their lean muscle, stay strong and make a quick transition back to their routine. This according to the indications and recommendations of the treating physician.

Increasing your protein intake before and after surgery will also protect your muscles.