Plastic surgery brings some serious changes to one’s body, and it’s not just about their improved physical appearance. The time required for healing from the surgery varies depending on the procedure being performed and a few other factors. When exploring options for plastic surgery in Singapore, one must consult with the doctor about the diet they’d recommend after surgery to promote healing. The food patients eat in the days before and after the procedure can play its part in how well they heal. One may be able to support their body better if they choose a healthy diet, and it will also help reduce the time it takes for their complete recovery.
As surgery can put the body under stress, proper nutrition can culminate the risk of infections, and it may even reduce scarring. Ready to take some plastic surgery tips on what patients should add to their diet as they recover from surgery? Let’s explore!
What Foods To Eat After Plastic Surgery?
Being careful about what to eat after plastic surgery can help with proper and quicker healing. Here are some recommendations on what a patient should be eating post-surgery.
Consume Lots Of Fiber
Fiber is an important component of the post-surgery diet. High-fiber foods aren’t just healthier compared to the low-fiber alternatives, but they also help avoid constipation – something that’s commonly reported after surgery. Besides being annoying, constipation may actually elevate pain and increase the patient’s chances of returning to the hospital when the patient is still in the recovery phase.
It is advisable that patients should avoid taking fiber supplements like psyllium husks. Instead, they should consider consuming high-fiber foods as part of their everyday routine. Even though supplements may not be a bad idea altogether, the fiber that comes from foods is better at preventing constipation.
Some common high-fiber foods include:
- Whole Grain Bread: Breads that are made using whole grains have high amounts of fiber in them. Avoid white bread because it is usually too refined and may not be a good fiber source.
- Whole Grains: Oatmeal, corn, and other such grains are also a good source of fiber.
- Vegetables: Vegetables have lots of fiber in them, and they can fulfill the patient’s fiber requirements in recovery.
- Fruits: If the priority is to get enough fiber and vitamins, fresh fruit would be a great choice.
- Cereal: There may not be high quantities of fiber in all cereals, but some can certainly fulfill one’s fiber requirements after plastic surgery. When buying cereals, go for one that uses fiber in its name. It may also be a good idea to stick to old-fashioned breakfast foods like oatmeal.
Get Enough Protein From Lean Sources
The production of collagen and new blood cells relies on proteins. The recommended daily intake of protein after plastic surgery will also boost the patient’s immune system and offer support to their central nervous system.
Lean meats like turkey, chicken, and pork are a great source of lean protein. Lean protein can also be obtained from seafood, including fish. However, one should avoid red meat because it contains high amounts of saturated fats and may trigger constipation.
For patients who don’t like meat, there could be many other sources of getting their required protein intake. Some good examples would be eggs, tofu, beans, nuts, and “vegetarian foods” like textured vegetable protein and tempeh.
Dairy products also have protein in them, but they may cause constipation and should be used moderately. In cases where the patient is finding it hard to eat, supplementing on protein powder could be a good idea. They can get the required protein for the day by adding it to drinks like smoothies.
Opt For Whole Grains And Ditch The Refined Ones
One of the plastic surgery tips to remember here is that patients should use whole grains as part of their everyday diet and should ditch refined grains. Whole grains have a lot of vitamins and minerals in them, and they carry good amounts of fiber too.
Rice can be a good option when it comes to whole grains, but there are many processed types of rice that lose most of their nutritional value. So, in order to get both fiber and nutrients, it is advised to consume brown rice and avoid processed alternatives.
It is a good idea to consume fiber and whole grains in breakfast. Instead of going for eggs and bacon, the patients should have oatmeal or other whole-grain cereals, fresh fruit, and whole wheat bread in the morning.
Fresh Vegetables And Fruit
Fresh vegetables and fruit are good sources of fiber and nutrients that help patients recover better after recovery. As much as possible, it is advised to avoid canned or processed frozen fruits and vegetables.
Fruits like pineapples contain bromelain which can help with reducing soreness, swelling and bruising. Also available in supplement form, it may be prescribed by your doctor as a part of your recovery regimen.
Have Low-Fat Dairy Products
Besides lean meat, dairy products can also be a good source of dietary protein that helps with recovery after surgery. However, it is advised that patients should opt for low-fat dairy products like skim milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Drink Lots Of Water
Well, it’s a routine recommendation to drink lots of water. Keeping the body hydrated before and after having plastic surgery can be particularly helpful with the healing of the treated skin. Healthy and hydrated skin promotes quicker healing of wounds as compared to tight and dry skin.
What Foods To Avoid After Plastic Surgery?
While there are certain foods that are recommended after surgery, there are a few elements that patients should avoid from their diet after the completion of their facial transformation or body contouring. Right after the surgery, the body must be primed perfectly to promote healing. So, it’s best to avoid using the following food elements after surgery.
- Salt: Sodium may lead to fluid retention in the body and prolong puffiness or swelling close to the incision site. Right after the procedure, the patients should completely eliminate or reduce the use of salt to heal better.
- Sugar: The use of refined sugar or foods that have high carbohydrate content can have a suppressing effect on immune function. They should be avoided as they promote inflammation.
Conclusion
The body requires more nutrients than usual to prevent infection after surgery and promote quicker healing. The right nutrition helps reduce swelling and wards off infection, inflammation, and pain. While it is advised to eat foods rich in fiber, protein, and vitamins, there are some that should be avoided so as not to slow down the healing process. During the consultation session about plastic surgery with your plastic surgeon in Singapore the patients should clear all their concerns. It is good to ask the doctor about how they should adapt their diet after surgery to avoid any complications. Their advice should be taken seriously to ensure easy and quick healing after surgery.
About Dream Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery
Bespoke surgical for cosmetic or medical reasons is what Dream covers to bring out the beauty in every individual. Going beyond the aesthetics and working on physical anomalies are what we value the most in leading our patients to cherish self-improvement and confident lifestyles.
Derived from Associate Professor Vincent Yeow’s long-standing experience performing plastic surgery in Singapore, our treatment plans deliver physical remodelling in our patients’ favour. One of the notable remodellings is droopy eyelid correction. The ptosis surgery used for treatment eventually fixes drooping eyelids, improves vision and enhances appearance.
Most importantly, as a trustworthy plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic, we treasure positive and natural outcomes for each individual. We will ensure to deliver the beauty refinement of your dream without compromising your safety and privacy.
