Calories
- Your body burns a lot of energy during and after surgery.
- Increasing your calories from complete, nutrient-packed foods before and after surgery is therefore very important.
Surgical Info
Nutrition and substance use, before and after surgery.
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your body for surgery is to optimize your diet. The health and strength of your bones and muscle, as well as wound healing, depend on a balanced diet and a steady stream of nutrients before and after surgery.
Protein
- After your body utilizes carbohydrate and protein stores, it begins breaking down muscle for energy.
- Muscle breakdown leads to decreased strength and can delay recovery.
Prevent this muscle breakdown by eating protein-rich foods:
- Seafood
- White meat poultry
- Lean beef
- Milk, cheese, yogurt
- Eggs
- Soy
- Peanuts, almonds
- Oats
- Lentils
Multivitamin
It is recommended that you take a daily multivitamin. Multivitamins are pills that provide vitamins and minerals essential to a well-functioning body that may not be obtained consistently from the food you eat. From an orthopedic surgery standpoint, we are particularly concerned with a few of these vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin C
- Necessary for the creation of collagen (the main protein in bone).
- Deficiency leads to impaired wound healing.
- Our recommendation: take 500mg of Vitamin C daily the day prior to surgery and for at least one week thereafter.
While your multivitamin may contain our daily recommended amount of Vitamin C, you can also obtain Vitamin C from the following foods:
- Citrus fruits
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Spinach
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussel sprouts
- Broccoli
Calcium
- Required to build and maintain strong bones.
- Important in muscle control and blood circulation.
- If our diets are deficient, our bodies remove calcium from stores in bone, leading to weaker bones.
- It is recommended that all patients who undergo fracture surgery maintain a daily Calcium intake of 1200mg per day (combined from food and vitamin sources) until their fracture is healed.
Calcium-rich foods that can help you reach the daily recommended goal include:
- Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese)
- Leafy greens (kale, broccoli, spinach, collard greens, etc.)
- Almonds
- Tofu
- Calcium-fortified cereals and juices (most commonly orange juice)
Vitamin D
- Essential for calcium absorption.
- Your body produces it with sunlight exposure. Use of sunblock, however, will block your body's ability to generate Vitamin D.
- It is recommended that all patients who undergo fracture surgery maintain a daily Vitamin D intake of 800 IU (International Units) daily.
- Dairy products (especially milk) are an excellent dietary source of Vitamin D that can help you reach your daily goal.
Smoking and vaping
- Nicotine has harmful effects on the production of bone-forming cells.
Consequences
- Bone may not heal
- Poor wound healing
- Increased infection risk
- Poorer surgical outcomes
You should make every effort to stop smoking and vaping to prevent these consequences.
Marijuana
- It is recommended that you stop smoking marijuana prior to your surgery and until you are fully recovered.
Illicit drug use
- Illicit drug use is never recommended and should be stopped immediately for anyone undergoing surgery.
Caffeine
- Causes blood vessels to constrict and can raise heart rate and blood pressure.
- You should avoid caffeine 48 hours before and 24 hours after your surgery.
Remember, these are only recommendations as you prepare for your surgery. Any individual with chronic kidney disease, a blood clotting disorder, or any other chronic disease should first consult with their Primary Care Doctor or respective specialist prior to making any dietary changes. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call the office at (212) 737-3301 or send a message through the Patient Portal.
Patient questions
Nutrition and recovery, common questions.
What should I eat before and after surgery?
Healing raises your body's energy and protein needs, so eat regular, balanced meals with adequate protein from sources such as fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, beans, and nuts. Surgery is not the time for a restrictive weight-loss diet.
Which vitamins and minerals support surgical recovery?
Vitamin C supports collagen and soft-tissue healing, while calcium and vitamin D support bone healing. Getting them from food is preferred. Ask Dr. Lee's team before starting any new supplement, since some interfere with surgery or medications.
Does smoking affect healing after surgery?
Yes. Smoking and vaping reduce blood flow and are strongly associated with slower bone and tendon healing, wound problems, and higher complication rates. Stopping before surgery, even temporarily, measurably improves healing.
Can I drink alcohol before or after surgery?
Heavy alcohol use impairs healing and can interact with anesthesia and pain medication. Limit alcohol in the weeks around surgery and avoid it entirely while taking prescription pain medication.
Do I need protein shakes or supplements to heal?
Not necessarily. Most patients can meet their healing needs with regular food. Protein shakes can help if your appetite is low after surgery, but check with Dr. Lee's team before adding supplements, since some affect bleeding or medications.
Before & after surgery
Questions about preparing to heal?
Review how to prepare for surgery, read the recovery instructions for your procedure, or contact the office at (212) 737-3301.