Eating well before surgery aids recovery by maintaining muscle mass and physical performance. Try to eat a balanced, nutritious diet including 3 meals a day and snacks if needed.
Do not try to lose weight before your surgery. Maintain a stable weight to ensure your body has sufficient energy to recover.
Weigh yourself at least once weekly.
By eating as well as you can before surgery you are giving your body the nutrients it needs to prepare for and recover from your surgery. Eating well will help you to rebuild damaged tissue, fight potential infections and cope with any side effects of your surgery.
Protein is essential for growth and repair of your body.
You should aim to incorporate protein into each meal.
Examples of protein include: chicken, turkey, meat and meat products, fish, eggs, milk and dairy products, beans, lentils, pulses, soya, tofu and nuts.
Red meat such as beef, lamb and pork is an excellent source of protein and iron and can be included as part of a healthy, balanced diet. It is however recommended that you limit the amount of red meat you eat.
It is also recommended that processed meat, which has been smoked, cured or had salt or chemical preservative added (e.g. bacon, ham, hot dogs and salami) is consumed in very limited amounts.
Carbohydrates are the main energy source for your body. Energy is needed to promote healing after surgery.
You should aim to incorporate carbohydrates into each meal.
Examples of carbohydrates include; bread, chapatti, cereals, rice, pasta, crackers, oatcakes, quinoa, couscous, noodle, potatoes. Where possible aim to choose wholegrain varieties.
You may have been advised by your doctor or dietitian to follow a low fibre diet. If you require further advice regarding your options then please use this guide to following a low fibre diet.
Fruit and vegetables are an essential source of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, which help your body to defend itself and support your immune system.
Examples of fruit and vegetables include; apples, berries, carrots, grapes, kale, mango and pumpkin to name but a few.
You should aim to eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables including fresh, tinned, dried and juiced varieties every day.
If you are experiencing increased symptoms of wind or bloating you may find limiting some varieties of fruit and vegetables helps your symptoms.
- Do you have a poor appetite
- Have you lost weight without meaning to?
- Are you feeling tired and low in energy?
Some simple changes to your diet may help, for further advice go to the BDA's website on appetite and malnutrition.
If you are worried that you may be at risk of malnutrition, go to the BAPEN website for a self-assessment screening.
Dependent on how your operation goes, you may or may not be able to eat and drink straight away. Your Surgeon may suggest you start on any of the following diets below
- clear fluids only - water, clear soup, apple juice, tea and coffee (without milk).
- free fluids only – water, strained soup, fruit juices, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, malted drinks, supplement drinks, milk.
- soups and sweets – soups of any kind, custard, yoghurts, ice cream, jelly.
- light diet – small, low residue meals.
Oral nutrition will be introduced early after your operation to ensure you have the nourishment you need to heal your wounds, reduce your risk of infection and help your overall recovery.
You will be advised to start with something light initially e.g. soup and ice cream. If this is well tolerated you will quickly progress to a normal or maybe a lower fibre diet. If you are advised to follow a low fibre diet then use this guide to help.
Ensure Compact are nutritional supplements added to your prescription on admission, and aim to provide those who are at risk of malnutrition or have a poor appetite with nutrition after your operation. You should aim to drink 2 supplements per day following surgery.
Studies suggest that those who receive oral nutrition supplements such as Ensure, consumed more protein, which ultimately led to shorter lengths of stay in hospital and fewer total infectious and digestive complications