If you will soon be undergoing a plastic surgery procedure, it’s important to view the process as a marathon if you want to achieve the best results.
Your body requires a significant amount of energy to get through the stress of a surgical procedure. However, eating the right foods before and after your procedure will make a significant difference to your surgical experience as well as your results.
How Nutrition Affects Your Recovery
For anyone who is about to undergo a major operation, here are a few nutritional tips and guidelines from Form&Face that will aid your recovery.
Fuel Your Body
Make a point of ramping up your nutrient intake before your surgery because even when you’re resting after surgery, your body will still be burning extra calories in order to heal. Opt for high-quality proteins and complex carbohydrates before and after your procedure. Even if you feel nauseous after your surgery, find ways to meet your nutritional needs.
Use Carbohydrates to Reduce Anxiety
Carbo-loading before your surgery is immensely beneficial in more ways than one. Not only will the added glycogen reduce feelings of anxiety before your procedure, but it will also curb hunger, thirst, nausea, pain, and vomiting after your surgery. Adding more carbohydrates to your diet before your surgery can also help prevent short term insulin resistance, which often leads to complications.
Incorporate More Omega-3 and Arginine into Your Diet
Since surgery tends to trigger inflammation, it automatically increases the risk of complications. Your body’s immune system will be compromised for several weeks, which is why it helps to incorporate specific nutritional supplements into your diet to counteract this. Arginine, which is an amino acid that’s naturally found in red meat and dairy products, and omega-3 fatty acids, can both provide you with immune-boosting benefits that will assist you during and after your surgery. There are even immune-nutrition drinks that you can use in the days leading up to your surgery.
Increase Your Energy Using Protein
The sooner you can start moving after your surgery, the better, but it’s not always easy to find the energy when your body is feeling run down. By increasing your protein intake in the weeks leading up to your surgery and during your recovery, it will help your muscles stay strong and keep your energy levels up, making it easier to get up and walk around.
Prepare as Much as You Can
Make it as easy as possible to eat well before and after your cosmetic surgery procedure. Start by getting more information on the types of foods your surgeon recommends. Next, make sure that your kitchen is always well-stocked, which will ensure you can’t find excuses not to eat the right foods. You can even rope in your partner and your family – this is the perfect excuse for them to make healthier food choices too.
You have a lot of control over the outcome of your surgery as well as your recovery and starting with the basics will get you off on the right foot.
