Many factors can influence the outcome of a surgery. Detail-oriented doctors consider everything, like physical exams, family history, and lifestyle aspects. One of these aspects is diet. The philosopher Hippocrates is famous for his quote, ”Let food be thy medicine, and let thy medicine be thy food”. Effectively controlling a patient’s diet before and after surgery can speed up wound healing.
A healthy, balanced diet has many benefits, internally and externally. Improving cognition, muscle function, and immune responses internally, and improving the vitality of the skin and hair externally. With this in mind, we should try to optimize our diet before and after surgery. Since surgery involves wound healing, having high concentrations of nutrients readily available for repair can positively impact the healing process. Let’s now get into what nutrients are important, and what foods have them (and what foods you should avoid).
Why Protein Is Crucial for Surgical Wound Healing
The primary nutrient that should be focused on in pre- and post-operative diets is protein. Protein is the building block of all tissues and cells in the human body and is increasingly important as we age. Protein also plays a significant role in efficient wound healing, as it can speed up the process as well as help return the wound closer to its original strength. Some viable sources of protein include chicken, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and eggs. To find out how much protein is right for you, you can use an online protein calculator. You will see improvements in many aspects of your life if you include these foods in your diet, not limited to just wound healing. Next, let's move into the preoperative phase.
Pre-Operation Diet for Oculofacial Surgery
A preoperative diet should contain nutrients that reduce inflammation. Inflammation during a procedure can cause uncontrolled bleeding and make it difficult for a surgeon to see what they are doing.
A preoperative diet that reduces inflammation typically includes foods that contain:
- Nutrients such as Omega-3 fats (e.g., avocado)
- Lean proteins (e.g., chicken, fish, legumes, or nuts for vegetarians)
- Fiber-rich carbohydrates (e.g., colorful fruits and vegetables)
Avoid high glycemic index, high-fat, processed foods that are hard for the body to digest, leading to increased inflammation.
Finally, all dietary supplements, like fish oil, should be stopped before surgery.
While there are randomized double-blinded trials that have shown that fish oil supplements do not increase the risk of uncontrolled bleeding during and after surgery, our reason for stopping supplements is that they do not go through the same FDA approval process that drugs do. Stopping supplements ensures that we are doing surgery in a controlled environment without any added variables.
Post-Operation Diet for Oculofacial Surgery
Since tissue around the eye is thin, the post-operative diet is also important for the healing process. It has been found that vitamins C and A are linked to improved wound healing and cellular function.
Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, and leafy green vegetables are high in vitamin A. While these vitamins are crucial, it is also crucial to maintain a balanced diet of proteins and fats so that the healing process can work efficiently. One substance to avoid is alcohol, as it has been shown to inhibit a crucial phase of wound healing, resulting in slower healing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a well-balanced diet is crucial for both pre-op preparation and post-op healing. On top of this, Omega-3s, lean proteins, and fiber-rich carbs pre-op. Also, focus on vitamins A and C post-op for the fastest healing and best results. Avoid greasy foods and alcohol as well, so you can reduce inflammation and not interfere with wound healing. Eye surgery is hard to hide, so speeding up wound healing is important.
If you have questions about preparing for your upcoming procedure, or if you'd like to learn more about oculofacial surgery in the Illinois area, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Amjad Z. Ahmad today. Contact our office to get started.
