November 16, 2012 | 3 minute read
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many of us are looking forward to beginning the holiday season with a large meal. Though enjoying food during the holidays may seem tricky if you’re getting plastic surgery work done, you can enjoy some of the delicious food this season and improve your recovery experience at the same time.
Since you may want to eat only simple foods right after your plastic surgery procedure, plan ahead to have certain things on hand. To start, applesauce and JELL-O are two foods that you can enjoy right along with your relatives this holiday season without hurting your recovery process. Next, consider having soups like Chicken Noodle or one with a turkey broth base. Each offer protein and other helpful nutrients.
For breakfast, consider oatmeal and yogurt. These are two foods that will be soft enough to eat without as much effort as hard foods, but also with good nutrients. Oatmeal and yogurt may be enjoyed separately, or can be included in smoothies, which will give you a diet with more variety.
“For healing post operatively it is important that patients stick with a higher protein diet and take supplements to heal their surgery sites. They should stay away from salty, greasy, fatty foods as well,” Dr. Henry says. “Vitamins such as Vitamin C, Zinc and Vitamin A help with the healing process.”
Meals later in the day may consist of other soft, but healthy foods like mashed potatoes, which are rich in fiber, potassium and Vitamin C. Beets, which can reduce the length of healing time, are also a healthy, Thanksgiving-friendly option. Another vegetable type to consider is beans. Beans are packed with protein and fiber, which help prevent constipation after surgery; especially helpful if you aren’t moving around too much yet. And don’t forget about Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes. Each offer high levels of Vitamin C and are easy to find in the fall. Lastly, pumpkin (not the pie version) is also safe to eat.
Remember to drink eight to 10 glasses of water per day, especially within the two weeks following surgery. And keep in mind that by maintaining a low sodium diet for at least two weeks post-op you’ll be helping reduce both swelling and recovery time.
If you opt to have your plastic surgery procedure done during the holidays you can still enjoy a fall themed menu. Only, stay smart. Indulge in the healthy choices that will aid in making your recovery time go smoothly.
To learn more about the plastic surgery recovery process or how plastic surgery can benefit you, contact plastic surgeon Kimberly Henry today. She would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
