When patients with significant weight loss plan for body-contouring surgery, their main questions are about the operation, the scars, and the recovery period. Often, the issue of nutrition before and after surgery is not even considered important enough. However, the body needs to be nourished with enough protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals, as well as fluids to be able to heal after surgery.
Patients who have had bariatric surgery require particular attention as they might be eating smaller portions of food. Their body might not be able to absorb the required nutrients in the form of food either.
On the other hand, the aim of the preoperative nutrition period is to support the body to get to the surgery in the best possible condition. Before surgery, the body must feel nourished.
Protein Is the Building Block for Recovery
The importance of protein for the body’s recovery after body contouring surgery cannot be overlooked. Protein is used to repair damaged tissues, support the immune system and preserve muscle mass. Many patients who have lost a lot of weight in a short period of time have diets that are deficient in protein. As a result, before surgery, patients need to be eating enough protein to ensure that their bodies are as strong as possible before the operation.
“Many patients believe they are eating a healthy diet because they take in a low amount of calories. However, their body needs more than just calories during their recovery period. They need to be given the right amount of nutrients in the right form,” Deniz Ayşen Demir, nutritionist at Erdem Hospital argues.
Protein can be found in eggs, yogurt, fish, poultry, lean meat, cheese and more. Depending on your surgery, the team will advise on the best form of protein for you and whether you need supplements to help meet your daily requirements. It is also very important to spread your protein intake throughout the day as having too much in one meal can be difficult after bariatric surgery.
In addition, it is also key to preserve muscle mass. This is particularly important for patients that have gone through rapid weight loss as they have already lost a large amount of fat and muscle. Sufficient intake of protein and being active can help to protect muscle mass. During the recovery period from surgery, it is also important to be active as much as possible in order to return to full activity as soon as possible.
Vitamins, Minerals and Hydration Need Attention
Iron deficiency and anemia can affect energy and healing. Vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, calcium and other nutrients may also need to be monitored, especially after bariatric surgery.
Blood tests are an important part of the pre-surgical health check-up in order to determine any possible deficiencies before the surgery. In some cases, patients might require supplements even before the surgery in order to have a strong enough body to recover from the procedure.
“Just taking a multivitamin is not enough to cover all nutritional needs. A patient might need a specific amount or form of a nutrient. Some deficiencies even need to be treated medically. Thus, preoperative testing and postoperative follow-up are vital,” says Demir. She emphasizes that it is also essential for patients to drink plenty of fluids before surgery in order to stay hydrated.
Dehydration caused by a lack of appetite can cause patients to suffer from constipation, nausea and/or vomiting and dizziness. A simple and realistic plan for patients to follow to ensure they are consuming enough fluids to stay hydrated during the immediate post-operative period can help to decrease their risk for these complications.
Nutrition Is Part of the Surgical Plan
Experts emphasize that poor nutrition could increase the risk of problems during the recovery period and cause fatigue, delayed healing, infections and even the inability to return to daily activities in due time.
Deniz Ayşen Demir notes that at Erdem Hospital, the medical staff, including the surgeons and dietitians, work together to review the patients’ eating history, the type of bariatric surgery they have, their blood test results, and their lifestyle.
“Nutrition advice has to be given in the framework of the patient’s real life. A perfect nutrition plan on paper is not useful at all when the patient is not able to consume the food due to intolerance or cannot afford to buy them or does not have the ability to prepare them,” she says.
Some signs and symptoms of malnutrition need to be taken seriously and should be discussed with the patient’s medical team immediately. These include persistent vomiting, being unable to take fluids by mouth, weakness and dizziness that worsens. These symptoms are not to be disregarded and patients should consult with their medical team if they worsen.
