Man drinking water

Pre and Post Surgery Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies to Optimize your Recovery

CDHF

Written by: CDHF

Updated: December 1st, 2022

If you are planning to undergo surgery, or are recovering from a medical procedure, there are strategies you can use to invest in a healthy, steady recovery.  Think of surgery like playing a sport. To prepare for tournaments, you would train and follow tips from your coach, so you are ready to play your best game. If you’re not well trained, you’re not going to perform well. Surgery is much the same. 

During surgery, the human body undergoes surgical stress. Surgical stress can impair the body’s ability to grow and heal. 8

It can lead to weight and muscle loss, inflammation, poor wound healing, and complications like infections. Over the years, research has shown that following a nutritional regime, in the weeks and days before and after surgery, can help reduce these risks and set patients up for a quick recovery. 

If you or a loved one requires surgery, consider increasing your nutrition and incorporating a few of our tips to help improve your post-surgery recovery time. 

First things first, dial-up your nutrition.

To support recovery, try eating more high-quality proteins and energy before and after surgery. What consists of good nutrition before surgery? A lot depends on your age, procedure, and general health. If you’re concerned you might not be able to eat well before treatment or surgery, talk to your doctor or dietitian. They can help you determine your body’s energy needs, and tell you which foods to eat before your surgery and which to avoid. They will also give you specific instructions on preparing for the type of surgery you will be having.

Meeting your nutrition needs before and after surgery to help you get back on your feet! Getting enough protein and calories will help you: 1, 4

Doctors may suggest nutrition drinks or oral nutrition supplements that can provide extra calories and nutrients to help meet your nutrition needs. These high-energy, high-protein drinks and supplements will help to prepare and protect your muscles and body tissues before and after surgery. 5,7

Secondly, get moving! 

Staying active will help maintain your muscles and strength before and after surgery.1,6,7 Your doctor or certified exercise specialist, like a physiotherapist or kinesiologist, can recommend a program that suits you. 

In older adults, three days of bed rest can cause significant muscle loss.  It is important to get up and move, but follow the post-surgery exercises provided by your physician. These exercises or merely moving about can help preserve your muscles, stay strong and make a faster transition back into your routine. Many hospitals now encourage post-operative patients to get up and move about as soon as possible after surgery, to help with recovery.  

Thirdly, it is very normal to feel stressed or anxious before surgery. 

Try to prevent anxiety or stress by getting information early on about your surgery. Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, meditation, muscle relaxation or listening to music can be also helpful. Many hospitals even offer special support, and remember, family and friends can help too! 9

Last, but not least – HYDRATE. 

It should come as no surprise that water is essential for keeping us functioning well and feeling our best. Water helps your blood flow, carries nutrients and oxygen to your cells. 

Be your Body’s Biggest Advocate  

The impact of nutrition before and after surgery is a significant investment to make. If you or a loved one requires surgery, speak to your doctor about pre and post-surgery nutrition and lifestyle strategies to optimize your recovery and get back to living your best life!

Note: These general guidelines are not meant to replace healthcare professional advice. Talk to your doctor or dietitian for more information.


References: 

Related Articles:

View all News & Articles

man eating processed foods

What are Processed and Ultra-Processed Foods?

hockey face-off

Nutrition Guide for Athletes

RISE banner

RISEUp for Digestive Diseases Event

WDHD Banner

World Digestive Health Day: A Healthy Gut

low fodmap vegetarian meal

Plant-Based Eating & the FODMAP Diet

woman eating functional foods

Functional Foods: The Power of Probiotics

parent and child discussing kids nutrition

Nutrition Tips for Children

digestive health microbes

Why Should We Care About Our Digestive Health?

Young female doctor consulting an elderly patient in her office on a low-residue diet

Low Residue Diet: What is it and Who is it for?

coffee beans in mug

Is Coffee Bad for Digestion?

fast food stacked on table

Low FODMAP Fast-Food Meals

bowel model and fresh fruit

How to Aid Healthy Digestion

Gifts for Guts

man on grey background with puzzle pieces surrounding head

The Link Between the Gut and Mental Health 

low fodmap diet on a phone

Understanding the low FODMAP Diet

Women speaking online on computer with a registered dietitian

Online Nutrition Courses from Registered Dietitians

Family eating healthy meal

Family Friendly Snack Ideas

Yoga for Digestion

5 Strategies for Living Gluten-Free

salad with apple beets and chickpeas

Increase Your Fibre Intake

Types of Berries

The Power of Berries- Colourful and Kick-Ass Nutrition

Porrdge

Creamy, High Protein Breakfast Porridge

Bowl of Slaw

Crack Slaw Stir-fry

Grocery shopping with list

Make your Weekly Grocery Shop a Breeze: Amanda’s Top 5 Tips

Peppermint

Peppermint Fixes More Than Just Bad Breath

Spoons full of different prebiotics

Gut Health and Prebiotics

Family smiling into camera

5 Nutrition Tips for You and Your Family this Summer

Does Hot Weather Affect Digestion?

Women looking at labels in the grocer store

Understanding Fibre Nutrition Claims

Beginning frame of Understanding Fibre Animation

Understanding Fibre Animation

Fibre Benefits

Fibre & Its Benefits

Hand squeezing a grapefruit

Diets Used for IBS

friends smiling in kitchen

7 Day Gluten-Free Diet Plan

Women and male bathroom stall

Managing your Digestive Health in the Workplace Webinar

Taking a photo of food

Diet & Lifestyle Changes for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Cutting up meat and vegetables in the kitchen

Eating for 1 Trillion

Women laughing in yoga pose

Wait… My Gut Affects My Mental Health?

heart shaped bowls filled with fruits

10 Ways to Strengthen Your Microbiome

Kefir

What is Kefir and is it Good for You?

Women holding a salad

Busting Gut Health Buzz Words

Exercising and drinking water

Trying to Eat Healthier? Make it a Habit!

Bowl of healthy salad and tofu

Mental Health and Nutrition

Turkey pesto meatballs

Turkey Pesto Meatballs

Person on computer at home working

Staying Healthy at Home!

Man drinking water

Pre and Post Surgery Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies to Optimize your Recovery

Brown bag of groceries spilling out of bag

How to Manage Stress Eating and Snack Smart at Home

Drinking water side eye pink background

The Importance of Staying Hydrated: General Hydration and Virus Recovery

Egg and leeks

How to Stay Fuller Longer

Pregnant women in pink shirt smiling down at stonach

Prenatal Health and Your Baby

woman comforting elderly man

Preventing GI Disorders in Adults and the Elderly

Candy

Trick or Treating Safely with Digestive Conditions

CDHF Talks: The Role of Nutrition/Diet in a Healthy Gut Microbiota

Bone broth

Is Bone Broth Healthy?

Leafy greens on purple background

Gut Bacteria and Leafy Greens

CDHF Partners with Metro and their Wellness Program Catered to Digestive Health Issues

World Digestive Health Day: Obesity

Person grocery cart shopping

Help with Choosing Healthy Grocery Products

Senior and adult cooking in the kitchen

Diet & Nutrition Tips for Seniors and their Caregivers

Dietary Fibre vs Prebiotics: Animation

CDHF Talks: Protein and Fibre

peaches

Tips for Eating Well with Rising Food Costs

man holding takeout box and clutching stomach

What is a Food Intolerance?

meal planning sheet

Two Day Meal Plan with Lactose Intolerance

nutrition plan for immune system and gut health

How Nutrition Can Support Gut Health and the Immune System

Common food allergies o blue background

What is a Food Allergy?

The Power of Oats: Can They Play a Role in the Gluten Free Diet?

Feeding your Microbiota Fibre, Prebiotics, and Probiotics

Women drinking wine with pink microbe background

Alcohol and IBS

Digestive Health 101 Webinar

healthy foods

Diet & Lifestyle Changes for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Clipboard that says diet plan surrounded by healthy smoothies and vegetables

Diet Plan for Gastroparesis

healthy food at dinner table

Nutrition Tips for Aging Well

Astro yogurt on a kitchen counter

Lactalis Canada Introduces Astro® PROTEIN & FIBRE Yogourt

The Cultured Coconut bottle on a kitchen counter

The Cultured Coconut – CDHF Certified Product

apples and a bottle of apple cider vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar for Digestion. What’s the Deal?