As you prepare for plastic surgery, your first concern may be post-procedure rest and recovery. However, there’s another, often overlooked aspect that plays a major role in healing: your diet. A nourishing, healthy diet both before and after your plastic surgery is essential to get the best possible results.
Before Plastic Surgery: Hydration, Healthy Fats, Protein, and Vegetables
What to eat before and after your plastic surgery will remain relatively the same, with only some minor changes as you begin the healing process immediately after your surgery. According to Dr. Salameh from Salameh Plastic Surgery & MedSpa:
“When you’re preparing for plastic surgery, whole foods are some of the best choices. Fresh fruits and vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and apples provide essential nutrients to help your body heal and fight infection, and they also help decrease swelling more quickly. Eggs and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, like fish and walnuts, help control inflammation. Antioxidant-rich berries are another great source of nutrients. It’s also essential to stay hydrated — you should drink at least eight glasses of water a day to minimize the risk of infection and mitigate the side effects of pain medication, like constipation.”
In addition to these suggestions, protein is an important aspect of your diet. Protein is essential for the creation of collagen and new blood cells, which will support your recovery and boost your immune system. Foods like fish, walnuts, and eggs are all excellent sources of protein as well. If you’re already on the ketogenic diet, chances are that you’re getting many of these vital sources of nutrition at the moment.
After Surgery: Light Eating and Monounsaturated Fats
Immediately after surgery, you might not feel like eating much. If you’ve undergone a procedure in the facial area, this is especially likely to impact your ability to eat. As such, sticking to nutritious but easily digestible foods like yogurt, eggs, and applesauce can help as your body begins to heal.
Once you feel better able to eat, you’ll want to focus on consuming more monounsaturated fats like avocados and peanut oil to reduce inflammation in the body, as well as fruits like blackberries and blueberries that are high in antioxidants and offer anti-inflammatory properties. Getting plenty of protein and water remains important after surgery.
That being said, it can be a challenge to make sure that you consume all the right foods if you’re making a change in your dietary habits for your surgery and beyond. One way to get started is to practice mindful eating so that you are able to enjoy your food and take in more of what nourishes your body.
If you’re having trouble tracking all that you eat throughout the day or you’re worried that you’re not getting enough of the right things, you can always facilitate this practice with the use of health and nutrition apps.
What Foods Should I Avoid?
In addition to knowing what you should eat, it’s also important to know what foods to avoid when you are going to get plastic surgery. Some of the key foods to avoid include salt, sugar, and refined carbohydrates, including foods containing white flour and white rice. Additionally, omitting caffeine and sugar both before and after surgery will help keep your immune system functioning optimally.
Following this guidance will help ease the recovery process after your surgery and promote best results. Prioritize your health with a nourishing diet.
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