Every plastic surgery procedure is a little bit different. These procedures can vary in anticipated recovery time and complexity. Ultimately, everyone is looking for a way to minimize downtime post procedure and heal faster. As important as it is to not rush the healing process, it is also vital that you take some easy steps in order to increase your chances of a fast recovery. While you are still functional, do some planning.

The food you eat, in conjunction with the right sleeping habits, has a big influence on downtime following your surgery. The right choices for post-surgery nutrition can not only lessen the chance of complications but will promote faster healing of any wounds. Keep in mind when reading the following that there may be a certain number of hours pre-surgery during which you are required to fast.

It’s Important to Drink Lots of Water

Particularly when recovering from surgery, it is vital to your daily nutrition needs that you receive the proper amount of hydration. Drinking lots of water can help to combat fatigue, reduce joint pain, stabilize metabolism, and flush impurities – and this can include drugs used during surgery – from your system. If you’re unsure that you’re drinking enough water, make sure to increase your consumption at least one or two days before surgery and increase your intake as soon after surgery as is possible.

The Consumption of Supplements and Vitamins

Vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, and protein should be part of a healthy, balanced diet. If, however, you don’t think you’re getting the fiber, vitamins, and nutrients that you need just through meals alone, consider taking a supplement. Here’s why these particular vitamins and nutrients are important:

• Vitamin C is essential for the regeneration of the skin’s collagen, or protein, and crucial to recovery. It comes in chewable tablets or can be found in potatoes, broccoli, mango, kiwi, and citrus fruits.
• Vitamin A boosts your overall immune function but also promotes bone and epithelial formation. You can find it and spinach, kale, and other leafy greens as well as bell peppers, squash, carrots, and yams.
• The rebuilding of body tissues requires protein, particularly after surgery. Vegetarians can get protein from seitan, tempeh, tofu, and almonds. If you eat meat, you might want to avoid red meat for the time being and concentrate on seafood, pork, chicken, and other lean meats.
• To reduce the risk of constipation, which is not at all uncommon after surgery, and to stabilize your digestive process, high fiber foods will help. Fiber can be found in some cereals, and beans, vegetables, fruit, and whole grain breads. Avoid sweets, red meats, dairy products, and processed or dehydrated foods if constipation is a concern.

Don’t Forget to Eat Well

Not many people would be guilty of this, but after surgery, you may not feel like eating. As long as you don’t have a problem with nausea though, eating should be a priority. You have to keep up your strength and nutrition in order to recover from the surgery, after all. You may have to alter the form of the food you eat, depending on how painful it is to open your mouth and move your jaw. But it’s extremely important that you do eat.

If cosmetic surgery is something that you’re considering, get all the facts before you make a decision. Should you decide that plastic surgery is something you could benefit from, feel free to contact the team at Newman Plastic Surgery and Laser Center today.