Healing After Surgery
If you are new here welcome and welcome back to you if you are returning!
After a few weeks of reviewing what clients are experiencing I have learned that we are often left to our own devices as to fully working on healing after a surgery. Most of the work is focused on your physical health but we do not get to learn about what the foods we eat can improve and assist in recovering post-op.
This is not medical advice and it is always best to consult your treating physician and doctors before implementing these tips into your diet.
“Best practice requires the assessment of the whole patient, not just the hole in the patient. All possible contributing factors must be explored”. - Keast D, Orsted H.
The Wound Healing Process
A overview for knowledge where some of the processes overlap and work together.
Haemostasis - an immediate response that stops bleeding
Inflammation - with the classic signs of heat, redness, pain, swelling, raised temperature and fever. This response helps with removing microorganisms that may cause sickness or infection.
Proliferation - collagen levels and extracellular matrix increase around the wound site to create tensile strength. The wound continues to shrink in size.
Remodeling - is where new collagen start reorganizing forming a more durable lattice structure that continue to increase wound tensile strength.
Food, Vitamins and Minerals for Healing
Fiber, essential fats, zinc, protein, Vit C and Antioxidants, and more.
For collagen - increase your intake after surgery with ascorbic acid, vitamin C and Zinc. Ascorbic acid is essential for collagen creation. Vitamin C is not stored in the human body, and thus will require additional intake when needed. Zinc is needed for approximately 300 enzymes for activation. Is is also essential in new tissue regeneration!
Inflammation, depression and cells - Omega 3 fatty acids (DHA + EPA) are important for creation of cell membranes, it assists in the anti-inflammatory response and has been shown to help in cognitive functions which reduces some symptoms of depression.
Bowel health - during stressful events to the body and increased inflammation you may experience a increase in constipation or a less regular bowel movement. Increasing a healthy level of fiber in the diet during this time will help with this as well as help with the absorption of vitamins and minerals your body is needing.
Protein - specifically has the amino acid we can not create inside our bodies. These amino acids are used in many ways in the recovery process from rebuilding tissues, to the anti-inflammatory response and oxygen transport through the body.
Additionally
I always recommend a “restful go bag” when it comes to staying in the hospital, skilled nursing facility and even if you are going straight home with a nursing team to do home health. This bag includes your relaxing items such as baggy clothing, ear plugs or eye covers, teas, lavender, etc that makes you feel safer and relaxed. That way sleep will be easier to do and get the rest you need for optimal recovery.
References
Burrell Education 2014
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9777971/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31389093/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8532785/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10488881/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14508033/