How Your Nutrition Affects Your Recovery and Results After Plastic Surgery
Posted on March 31, 2024
The outcome of your plastic surgery relies on many factors. First and foremost, your plastic surgeon’s experience and skills are crucial to your safety and results. Your lifestyle choices can also positively or negatively impact your recovery and final appearance. Your diet, hydration, vitamin intake, and exercise routine are a vital part of the plastic surgery process. At Aqua Plastic Surgery, our plastic surgeons and staff educate patients on preoperative and postoperative health and nutrition for an easier recovery and the best outcome.
Good Health and Nutrition Improve Surgical Outcomes
A healthy patient typically has an easier and faster healing time than one who does not focus on nutrition, hydration, and exercise. Whether you have facelift or tummy tuck, regular exercise, a nutrient-dense diet, and avoiding smoking help your body focus on healing. Good nutrition balances your energy and distributes essential nutrients through your body.
Generally, plastic surgeons and medical professionals in all areas of healthcare recommend eating foods that grow on a plant, not in a plant, such as whole foods, instead of highly processed foods. A plant-based, anti-inflammatory diet, such as Mediterranean cousin, helps prime your body for healing so you can feel better faster. Remember, food is a type of medicine in and of itself.
Hydration can improve skin healing. Healthy, hydrated skin tends to recover faster than dry, tight skin.
Focus on Whole Foods
Whole foods can lower inflammation and help maintain blood glucose (sugar) levels. During recovery, focus on colorful fruits and vegetables and other nutrient-dense foods, such as nuts, beans, fish, eggs, and whole grains. These whole foods help you heal and ensure long-lasting health and results.
Protein is also essential to the healing process. Studies indicate that increasing calories and protein aids the natural wound-healing process. Protein aids tissue and muscle repair and helps your body fight infections. You can increase your protein intake by eating lean fish, eggs, seeds, quinoa, nuts, and meats.
Vitamins that Aid Healing or Increase Risks
Some vitamins, such as vitamin E, turmeric, and fish oils, can interfere with surgery and increase bleeding risks. Research shows Omega 3c can increase bleeding time, so it’s recommended you stop taking these supplements at least a week before surgery. Discuss your vitamins and supplements during your consultation at Aqua Plastic Surgery to lower your risk of complications.
Other vitamins, such as vitamin C and zinc, can help if taken in the weeks before surgery and after your procedure. This combination can optimize collagen production, a crucial part of natural healing. Other nutrients can lower inflammation and help your recovery by preventing infection, including vitamins A and D. Vitamins A and C fill your body with antioxidants to fight the effects of free radicals, which can prolong healing and cause tissue damage.
These vitamins before and after plastic surgery can help your recovery. However, please don’t take any vitamins without discussing them with our plastic surgeons first.
If you’re concerned about your nutrition during recovery, take some time to prepare and freeze some well-balanced meals before your procedure and stock your pantry with healthy snacks, such as nuts and fresh fruits.
Schedule a consultation at Aqua Plastic Surgery to learn more about your options for enhancing your face and body. Contact our Florida offices at (561) 776-2830 for our Jupiter location, (305) 918-1750 for our Miami location, and East Boca Raton at (561) 776-2830.
