What is The Role of Nutrition in Your Recovery?
Taking a balanced diet is one thing you should do to improve your chances of having a successful operation.
If you plan to go for a major operation, you have to sit down with your orthopedic physicians and general surgeons for advice and tips on what to do in preparation for surgery. This article discusses the role of nutrition in your healing process and why you should consider it vital when going for surgery.
1. Get the right carb load
If you are going for surgery, you want to ensure you take the right amount of carbohydrates in your diet. Research has shown that you lose a lot of glycogen during surgery than you do when racing on a bike for two hours. With carbohydrates loading, you can help to reduce hunger and thirst before your surgery.
You also reduce your length of stay in the hospital if you have the right amount of carb load in your body by preventing vomiting and nausea. Carb load can also prevent the short-term insulin resistance you are likely to experience as a surgical patient.
2. Boost your immune function
When you have surgery, your body goes through a lot of stress that can often trigger inflammation and result in complications in your body. The stress on your body can last weeks and weaken your body’s immunity system. You become more vulnerable and prone to infections when your body immunity is weak.
A balanced diet containing many immunity-improving elements such as Omega 3 fatty acids and Arginine is the best you can get. You should include foods that boost your immunity into your diet if your surgery is on the way.
3. Boost your energy and strength
As patients, you should get up and move your feet as soon as possible. According to some studies, it has been shown that having at least three days of bed rest can cause up to 10% of leg muscle loss.
That is why you should try to get on your feet and engage in some activities as soon as your surgery is over. When you get active and robust, you speed up your recovery process.
You can achieve this without taking proper nutrition. Increase your protein intake right before your surgery to protect your muscles and speed up recovery.
You should be your body’s most prominent advocate. Know the impact of the surgery you are about to have on your body and health. Whether you or your loved one is getting surgery, you should ask the medical team about the nutrition guidelines they should stick to during this period.
Final Thoughts
Discuss with the physician how nutrition will help you recover fast, what types of food you should eat, and how much you should be eating every day. Once you develop a nutrition plan, you should always ensure that you stick to it. There is no better way to recover fast from surgery and live healthy than sticking to good nutrition.
