Knowing what to eat and drink before and after your plastic surgery can play a huge role in your overall recovery and healing period. Upon booking your procedure, your surgeon will give you detailed pre-op and post-op instructions that will guide you through what you can do to adequately prepare for your procedure. Typically, the list of what to eat and drink before and during surgery recovery includes lots of liquids, whole foods, foods high in fiber, healthy fats and foods low in sodium. But there is one additional food item that has gained a lot of popularity as the alleged “magic” surgery recovery drink: pineapple juice. Many patients tout the benefits of pineapples – both in their whole form and as juice – for before and after plastic surgery. But is the tropical fruit really worth all the hype?
Below we go over the benefits of consuming pineapples or pineapple juice before and after plastic surgery, and why it is often considered a recovery super fruit:
1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Pineapple contains bromelain, which is a powerful enzyme that has many surprising and helpful properties. Bromelain has a centuries-long history of being used to treat medical ailments, primarily throughout Central and South America. One of the main benefits of bromelain is that it speeds healing by reducing inflammation. Bromelain also minimizes the occurrence of bruising, which is particularly beneficial for recovery from plastic surgery.
2. Fights Nausea and Aids Digestion
Another wonderful effect of bromelain is that it aids in overall digestion and helps fight nausea. Bromelain may help to breakdown protein faster, improving the speed of digestion. In addition to bromelain, pineapples also contain a high content of water and fiber, which can help ease constipation, a common complication after plastic surgery. After surgery, patients are particularly prone to nausea and may even lose their appetite. However, it is very important to eat after surgery so that your body may begin healing and regain strength. A pineapple smoothie or glass of pineapple juice after surgery may give your body the little boost it needs to start feeling normal again.
3. Immune Boosting Effects
Pineapples are packed with Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that fights cell damage. Consuming pineapples before and after surgery can reduce your risks of coming down with a cold or an infection. And being in the best health possible will allow you to recover more quickly after surgery!
4. Protects again Cardiovascular Disease
Another important chemical element pineapples are packed with is potassium. Potassium is associated with many positive effects on the body, including protection against loss of muscle mass, reduced risk of stroke and preservation of bone mineral density. Increasing potassium intake can also help with lowering blood pressure, which is especially important when preparing for surgery.
5. Supports Bone Strength
Lastly, pineapple contains nearly 75 percent of the daily-recommended value of the mineral manganese, which is essential in developing strong bones and connective tissue. Manganese plays an important role in bone cartilage and bone collagen formation, which is essential for your body immediately following a surgical procedure.
In Conclusion
Pineapples are without a doubt a plastic surgery super fruit. Eating pineapples or drinking a glass or pineapple juice or a pineapple-based smoothie before and after surgery can aid your body in the surgical recovery process. By aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, boosting your immune system and promoting overall bone and heart health, the pineapples has earned its name as the “magic” surgery recovery drink.