After booking your plastic surgery appointment, preparation for your procedure begins. There are pre-and post-surgery health measures that need to be followed to have a safe and healthy procedure and recovery. All plastic surgeons will require you to cut smoking, alcohol, and even vitamins and supplements before your plastic surgery procedure. What you eat and don’t eat after your plastic surgery procedure can significantly impact the recovery process and results.
What to eat after your procedure
Preparation for a smooth recovery starts when you book your appointment, which is typically weeks or months before your appointment. It’s essential to increase your intake of foods with plenty of nutrients that will help the recovery process.
Protein is a very critical nutrient that helps create new blood cells and collagen. Collagen is the building block for muscle, skin, tendons, and bones- all of which are structures needed to heal post-surgery. Not only that, but protein is essential for a strong immune system.
It’s also important to increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables, specifically those high in vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, and selenium. All these nutrients help fight free radicals. Free radicals are created by your body as a natural response to stress ( like surgery) and can cause tissue damage and slow the healing process.
After the first 72-hour period is over and you’ve regained your appetite, eating foods rich in monounsaturated fats, like extra-virgin olive oil, avocado, and almond butter, will help reduce swelling. Eating foods high in antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties like raspberries, blueberries, and cherries will also alleviate any swelling while also fighting free radicals.
What not to eat after your procedure
Post-operative care is just as crucial as pre-operative care. After surgery, your body needs five times as many nutrients as it did before surgery. By upping your nutrient intake, you are helping promote quicker healing and aid in preventing infection. The stress of surgery can affect your digestion. That’s why a bland, soft food diet is recommended for at least 72 hours after surgery.
Avoid salt, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and refined carbohydrates after your surgery, as these foods can affect your immune system and make you more susceptible to swelling and inflammation. Consuming a high amount of these foods may result in a slower recovery period. Therefore, it’s important to watch what you eat and drink pre-and post-surgery.