Post-op nutrition for faster recovery…

The human body converts food into energy to support all of its processes, which is why post-op nutrition is so important. After surgery, you may experience symptoms of Iron deficiency anaemia, a common type of anaemia in which the blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells. 

When we talk about post-op nutrition, there is one main component we would like to mention – iron. Iron deficiency is often the reason for the fatigue that patients experience after surgery. Keep reading on to find out how to supplement this and give your body the boost it will need to recover quicker.

Blood contains iron within red blood cells. So you see, when you lose blood, inevitably, you would lose some iron as well. Iron is an essential mineral that plays a vital part in proper growth and development. 

Symptoms we’ve observed in patients in the first week following cosmetic surgery:

• Low blood pressure
• Extreme fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath
• Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness
• Cold hands and feet
• Poor appetite, especially in infants and children with iron deficiency anemia

The suitable fit compression garments help in PoTS, vaso-vagal syncope or orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension — postural hypotension — is a form of low blood pressure that happens when standing after sitting or lying down. Orthostatic hypotension can cause dizziness or lightheadedness and possibly fainting. Orthostatic hypotension can be mild.(Ref: Mayo Clinic)

What else can you do to boost haemoglobin production? – Include more iron-rich foods and foods that help the body absorb iron in your diet.

Our bodies absorb more iron from meat than it does from other sources. If you choose not to eat meat, you may need to increase your intake of iron-rich, plant-based foods to absorb the same amount of iron as someone who eats meat.

Unless you are under a strict ‘no meat’ diet or intolerant to some leafy greens, here are a few suggestions you might consider.

1. Iron supplementation with your meals – this can be in the form of a tablet or liquid. 

2. Choose iron-rich foods (Ref mayoclinic.org)

• Red meat, pork and poultry.
• Beans.
• Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach.
• Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots.
• Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas.
• Peas.

3. Foods that help the body to absorb iron.

You can enhance your body’s absorption of iron by drinking citrus juice or eating other foods rich in vitamin C at the same time that you eat high-iron foods. Vitamin C in citrus juices, like orange juice, helps your body to absorb dietary iron better. Vitamin C is found in: