Can protein shake improve healing process after tummy tuck ?

Question

7 weeks post op. I'm trying to eat healthy, but I don't think I'm doing it right, and I have a family history for wound healing that my wounds usually don't heal in a good way all.. What do you recommend other that silicon sheets that I'm using every day. Thank you.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

Key factors in the healing of any wound are nutrition and vitamin supplements. There are specially formulated vitamins that are designed to optimize your healing that we use from Vitamedica. In addition, we use Arnica and Bromelain to reduce the swelling and bruising. Before and after surgery, nutrition is a key component that is overlooked by almost every patient and surgeon. After the operation, your calorie and protein requirements are increased. We design a nutritional regimen for each patient which is provided to them during the preoperative teaching. In order to meet the calorie and protein requirements after surgery, the patients typically supplement using protein shakes. Calorie and protein intake are recorded on a log that we provide and review at the postoperative visits. The combination of homeopathic medicines, vitamins supplementation, and adequate calorie and protein intake are critical to the wound healing process. Prior to surgery, we ask the patients to stop all of their own supplements as some can cause problems with bleeding during and after surgery.

Brian Coan, MD, FACS · Answer

Congratulations on your recent surgery and thank you for sharing your question about your post operative recovery and results after your surgery.  
YES!!! Anyone who has surgery will benefit from increasing their protein intake as well as their water intake. Follow all your surgeon's post-operative instructions. Maintain a healthy, balanced diet and do not smoke :) 
 Final results can take 6-12 months for all the swelling to subside.  At our office here at CARE we actually see all of our surgery patients the very next day after surgery and then again at two weeks and beyond. We enjoy staying closely connected to our patients and enjoy giving the extra attention and service.  Your concerns are important to discuss directly with your board certified plastic surgeon.  He or she will appreciate the open communication and will want to help you. I hope this is helpful and wish you all the very best.  Sincerely, Brian S. Coan, MD, FACS

James E. Hardy, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for the question. Maintaining a balanced diet with plenty of protein, multivitamin and vitamin C are an excellent way to go. If there are specific reasons why you would have trouble healing like diabetes or nutritional deficiencies, this would need to be addressed by your ps and primary doctor. Best of Luck - Dr. Hardy...

Peter Fisher, MD (retired) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Certainly immidiately after surgery a good protein level is needed as they are essential for adequate healing. As far as you are concerned at 7 weeks, the healing that requires normal protein levels has been completed. I would suggest any or combination of the following,  compression, silicone tape and or creams and gentle but massage directly over the scars to prevent thickening of them.Peter Fisher M.D

Can protein shake improve healing process after tummy tuck ?

Answers (4)

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