Preparing your body for surgery

Eating well for surgery  

When preparing for and recovering from surgery, nutrition is particularly important to reduce risks and ensure safe and effective outcomes. Your body needs to repair itself optimally. Eating a healthy diet before and after surgery can aid in supporting recovery and wound healing. 

Eating a well-balanced diet (consisting of calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals) may supports and reduces recovery period post surgery. It is important to build up your nutritional stores, which serve as building blocks for every cell in the body. 

If you have been advised by your surgical team or dietitian to follow a specific diet, please continue to do so.  

Tips for a healthy pre-surgery diet include:  

• eating a varied, balanced diet in the weeks before your surgery. This will usually include three meals a day (or five to six smaller meals) with nourishing snacks
• a variety of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy products
• protein-rich foods like fish, poultry, lean meats, beans/legumes, eggs, dairy, nuts, tofu, and protein drinks
• drinking at least sic to eight cups of fluid each day to stay well hydrated

It is important to maintain a stable weight to support your recovery after surgery.   

If you have experienced any unintentional weight loss, it is importance to inform your surgical team or your GP. Weight loss can lead to low energy levels and reduced strength. This can have a negative impact on recovery after surgery and can lead to an increased risk of complications.  

If you are overweight and have been advised on weight loss, continue to follow as advised. Achieving a healthy weight can help reduce the stress on your heart and lungs and reduce post-surgery complications.  

Fasting and getting ready for surgery 

Your surgeons will advise you on how long prior to your surgery you need to stop eating (i.e. fasting). It is important that you do not eat or drink anything as instructed. If you take insulin, ensure your medical team is aware and they will advise you accordingly. 

In some cases, preOp® drinks will be prescribed leading up to surgery. It is a clear, non-carbonated, lemon flavoured, carbohydrate drink. It is designed to switch patients from a fasted to fed state prior to surgery. 

Training your lungs  

Your lungs are affected by general anaesthesia which increases the risk of developing lung complications e.g chest infection after surgery.  

This will impact your recovery from surgery and increase how long you spend in hospital.  

ICOUGH is a bundle which has been proven to reduce these risks and therefore you should try to do this after surgery 

I – Incentive spirometer  

This is a breathing device which aims to increase your lung volumes after surgery. You should aim to complete 10 breaths hourly after surgery. You should continue to use this device until you are mobilising comfortably. 

C – Coughing  

You must cough regularly after surgery (most effective after your breathing exercises) to ensure you are clearing any secretions.  You can use a pillow or rolled towel to support your wound and reduce pain when you cough  

If it is too painful, please let the team know so your pain management can be reviewed  .

O – Oral healthcare  

We recommend brushing your teeth twice daily and using an anti-bacterial mouthwash. This can reduce your risks of a chest infection after surgery  

U – Understanding  

All health care professionals involved in your care will aim to educate and empower you to optimise your recovery after surgery  

G – Get out of bed/mobilisation  

Getting out of bed and mobile after surgery is key to recovery. Nursing staff and physiotherapist will aim to help you sit out and walk the first day after your surgery to reduce the risk of any complications.  

H – Head of bed elevated  

Ensure that when you are in bed, you are sitting upright as much as possible as this helps give your lungs more room to expand. You can use the electric function of the bed to help you do this.