WHEN, WHAT AND WHICH FOODS TO CONSUME BEFORE SURGERY

A balanced diet with sufficient portions of protein, carbohydrate, and? fluids are essential to help the body to heal and repair faster.? As a dictum it's always safe to avoid a heavy portion of meals, fatty meals not just before surgery even as a routine basis.?

Why do you need a nutrition plan:?

1. Improvise blood glucose level before and after surgery.
2. Help intestines return to their normal function much earlier
3. Helps in shorter stay at hospital
4. Makes feel less thirsty and hungry.

What to eat?

1. PROTEIN:

?????Protein is a good source for tissue repair and a very effective antiinflammatory agent effective in fighting infections. Foods rich in proteins include fish, poultry, eggs, beans, nuts, tofu, milk, meat, cottage cheese, and yoghurt.

1. FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:

?????The nutrients and minerals in fruits and vegetables helps in better wound healing and immune function. Colourful fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin c, zinc, iron.

1. HEALTHY FATS:

???????????Not every fat is bad like just how we have good and bad cholesterol. Good fats containing foods include avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, fatty fish.

1. FIBRE:

????????Anesthetic agents and pain medications have a higher chance of constipation. So consumption of a high fibre diet can overcome this.

4- STEP NUTRITION PLAN:

STEP 1: Start 2-4 weeks before surgery - - Eat high protein, high carbohydrate diet.

STEP 2: Immunonutrition drinks before surgery.

STEP 3: Pre - Carbohydrate drinks before surgery:?

?????????????

??????????Drink 600g containing precarb drink before night of surgery

??????????Drink 300g containing precarb drink 3 hours prior to surgery.

STEP 4: Immunonutrition drinks after surgery -? follow till 1 week post surgery.

THE POWER OF SUPPLEMENTS:

?

If it's not enough protein supplementation from food,? a protein shake can help meet bodys protein requirements. Protein supplementation is useful postoperatively especially from recovering illness.?

Evidence that supplementing with Vitamin D of minimum 10 mg daily prior to surgery can improve faster healing.

FOODS TO AVOID BEFORE SURGERY:?

1. Processed Foods:? Foods which are often high in salt, sugar, and healthy fats can interfere with healing

1. Sugary snacks: sweets, fizzy drinks and other sugary foods interrupt body energy levels and immune functions.

1. Alcohol:? consuming alcohol can impair the immune system and slow down recovery.?

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MANAGE WEIGHT BEFORE SURGERY:

1. Because of higher surgical and anesthetic risks

1. Increase chances of thromboembolism

1. Decreased pulmonary function which can lead to decreased pulmonary compliance.

1. Delayed recovery.

1. Complications with pain relief.

HOW LONG BEFORE SURGERY SHOULD I STOP EATING:

???????

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??FOOD? TYPE

? ?WHEN TO STOP

Solid Foods

8 hours before scheduled surgery

Clear liquids

2 hours before scheduled surgery

Milk and Dairy

6 hours before scheduled surgery

Alcohol

At Least 24 hours prior to surgery

Smoking

At Least 2 weeks prior to surgery

1. Solid Foods:? Stop eating solid foods 8 hours prior to surgery. Includes heavy and solid meals, chewing gum, snacks,. Last solid meal should be easily digestible. Avoid rich or fatty meals.

1. Clear liquids: Clear liquid leaves your stomach more quickly and are less risky for aspiration. Clear liquids include water, clear broths , apple juice without pulp, back coffee or tea without milk or cream.

1. Milk and Dairy Products: Avoid milk and dairy products 6 -8 hours prior to surgery. Dairy products need longer time to digest and increase chances of aspiration.?

1. ALCOHOL: alcohol can interfere with bodys recovery process

????????????????????Affect how body response to anesthesia.

????????????????????Increase risk of bleeding and dehydration.

IDEAL TIME TO START PRE -OP NUTRITION:

Two to four weeks prior to surgery is a great time to start preparing your body nutritionally. Its good window to start focusing and improvising your diet. This window gives sufficient time to absorb all nutrients it needs for recovery.

By fueling with the right choice of foods you are making up your body to recover faster. Experience fewer postoperative complications.?

“ JOURNEY? TO? RECOVERY? STARTS BEFORE? EVEN YOU WALK TO HOSPITAL “

CONCLUSION: ?Eating right foods in the weeks leading up to surgery can help you heal faster, reduce complications, get back on your feet earlier and early discharge from the hospital.