DECEMBER 15, 2014 BY SOLAADE AYO-ADEREL
People undergo surgeries for various reasons. Physicians sometimes recommend surgery as the last resort when a medical condition is not responding to all the drugs that, ordinarily, should treat it.
Surgery may be minor or major — depending on the issues involved. However, whether minor or major, physicians say there are major steps the patient must take to make his recovery process smooth, and the healing total.
Experts say whether you undergo a relatively simple procedure — such as dental surgery; or a more complex procedure, such as heart surgery, appropriate rest and a healthy diet can help your body heal properly.
Eating may become unappealing after surgery due to the drugs you have to take. Again, the attendant fatigue and, sometimes, complications, can make you lose appetite. “The mouth and throat can be sore or dry, medicine can make food taste metallic, and even the sense of smell can be diminished,” General Physician, Dr. Amope Olaoluwa warns.
She says though post-surgery rehabilitation and recovery are different among patients, good nutrition after surgery can speed wound healing, improve immunity and ensure the best outcome. Nutritionist, Mr. Moses Agoro, says more than ever, after undergoing a surgical procedure, your body requires extra nutrients to heal. He recommends making careful choices about your nutrition so that you can bounce back early enough, instead of having to undergo a lengthy recovery.
Apart from taking your drugs and also observing other precautions that go with your situation, experts say you must adhere to certain dietary habits. “This is because paying special attention to certain foods and certain nutrients can make a difference when it comes to healing from an event like surgery,” Agoro enthuses.
Nutritionists note that virtually all vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and macronutrients like protein, fibre and essential fatty acids help with the healing process. “A low quality diet that has few whole, natural foods is going to work against healing; while a nutrient-dense diet filled with whole, natural foods is going to be supportive,” they counsel.
Eat whole foods
Agoro suggests that you get most of your nutritional needs from whole foods — which is actually a healthy way to eat every day, and not just because you had a surgery.
He notes that processed foods usually have higher amounts of fat, sugar, salt and chemical additives; while they are so low in fibre and vitamins than their whole food counterparts.
“Food is medicinal in many ways than one. For one, when we eat, food gives us strength and keeps us going. Again, the foods we eat always determine our health outcome, hence the need to eat balanced diet at all times, especially after you may have undergone surgical procedures,” say the experts at wholefoods.org.
Eat protein-rich food
Olaoluwa says you need protein for tissue repair, slow muscle catabolism and decreased inflammatory phase.
“Protein also infuses the body with calories. And if you had a major surgery, then you need more proteinous foods such as poultry, meat, fish, eggs, yogurt, cheese, beans and nuts.
“Others are lean meats, such as chicken, turkey and pork. Seafood, including fish, is also an excellent source of lean protein,” she says.
However, she counsels against eating red meat because of its high level of saturated fat and also because it can lead to constipation.
Vitamins A and D
These vitamins aid shorter recovery period, Agoro says. “Apart from supporting collagen strength and bone development, foods that contain these vitamins will not lose them when cooked,” he says. Foods rich in these vitamins include egg yolk, margarine, cod liver oil, fish such as herring, salmon and sardines; milk and other dairy products, carrots, liver, sweet potatoes, green vegetables such as spinach, orange, etc.
Vitamin C
Agoro says vitamin C is very essential to speeding up post-surgery recovery. “This vitamin is essential for wound healing. It is responsible for making connective tissue, and it acts as a powerful antioxidant. Since surgical trauma causes an increase in the body’s metabolic rate, vitamin C levels can drop,” he says.
So, even if your physician gives you vitamin C tablets as part of the take-home drugs, you will do yourself a world of good by taking vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, chili peppers, red bell pepper (tatase), green pepper, broccoli, pawpaw, strawberries, avocado, pineapple, mango, etc.
High fibre foods
High fibre foods such as whole grain breads, fresh fruits, vegetables and cereal such as oatmeal and corn flakes are all good for you.
Iron-rich foods
“Consuming iron-rich foods such as liver, clams and beef is important for optimising your haemoglobin content and increasing your iron stores before your surgery to account for the blood loss during the procedure. And you may still need them in reasonable quantity after your surgery,” Agoro counsels.
Rehydrate often
Physicians agree that taking enough water and home-made fruit juices will save you from becoming dehydrated. “Besides, you will look and feel better, and it will help you to metabolise vitamins and other nutrients,” Olaoluwa assures.
Avoid foods that can constipate
While some foods can help prevent or treat constipation, there are other foods that can make constipation more likely. “Constipation can increase your pain level and can place additional stress on your incision, so it is important to avoid it whenever possible,” physicians warn.
Such foods include processed foods, cheese, milk and other dairy products, red meat, pastries, candies, cakes and other sugary foods.
And if you have to eat foods such as eba, amala, fufu, semovita, pounded yam, etc, make them soft and eat little quantity with plenty of vegetables to aid easy digestions
source: PUNCH.
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