What meals do you recommend for a smooth surgery & recovery minimizing swelling & other complications?

Question

I live alone and am considering a rhinoplasty in the near future. What meals do you recommend for a smooth surgery and recovery minimizing swelling and other complications , a day/week prior to and month after the surgery. What items should I stock up on.

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Good Morning! Great question. Swelling is the large part of what happens after a rhinoplasty. An anti-inflammatory diet which is also very low in salt is critical. Plenty of fluids like water help to flush the body. Lean proteins like salmon and chicken are good for skin recovery. Eating leafy green vegetables provides antioxidants essential for healing. I would start weeks before and continue as a habit long-term. Hope that helps!

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

You may, however, wish to consume a low salt diet while you are recovering. Salt tends to cause swelling to appear worse. This diet, however, is not mandatory. Hope this helps! Dr Joseph

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

The role of food before and after rhinoplasty: The only considerations regarding food for a smooth rhinoplasty recovery are as follows: it may be uncomfortable to chew very tough foods such as a tough steak in the early post up period. So you may wish to stock up on food that is relatively soft. Excessive salt makes someone retain water and may increase swelling, therefore I would avoid excess added salt. Protein is important in the postoperative period for healing so be sure to have a normal amount of protein in the diet. Vegans often do not. I have encountered vegans who because of their lack of iron have low blood counts and in at least two recent cases have had to cancel surgery to allow a patient time enough to build up the blood count to normal prior to surgery. therefore if you are a vegan you should begin at least six or eight weeks prior to surgery to eat foods that have sufficient iron to build up a normal blood count, or take an iron supplement, since if you are anemic due to low iron your surgery might get canceled at the last minute. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil Motrin, aspirin, etc. can cause bleeding and can remain in the system for 10 days to two weeks. Therefore these drugs should be avoided for at least two weeks prior to surgery and two weeks after surgery. Tylenol is OK and is often the preferred medication for mild pain in the postoperative period. Many supplements also have an effect on reducing the body‘s ability to clot normally and can cause postop bleeding.. Your surgeon will provide you with a list of supplements and homeopathic medication‘s to avoid prior to surgery. Vitamin C complex with bioflavonoids can be helpful in the healing process so it is helpful to begin this a week or so prior to surgery and continue it for the week or two after surgery. Some people feel that Arnica taken before surgery can help reduce bruising. If you are prone to cold sores you should take an antiviral a few days before and a few days after surgery to avoid a break out. Most surgeons will prescribe a narcotic pain medication after surgery. Many patients do not need them and do not take them. But if you do they may cause nausea, so have some Zofran, particularly the sublingual form of Zofran available since it is very effective as an anti-emetic. If you do take the narcotic pain med postoperatively it may also cause constipation so you should have available a stool softener such as Colace since straining may cause bleeding in the postoperative period

Cagil Meric Erenoglu, MD · Answer

I recommend light food with high protein and liquid oil. Salt must be restricted for less edema. Junk food will not help with rapid healing. Drinking plenty of water will help to recover from anesthesia faster.

What meals do you recommend for a smooth surgery & recovery minimizing swelling & other complications?

Answers (4)

Answer: Nutrition after Rhinoplasty.

Answer: Nutrition after Rhinoplasty.

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

What meals do you recommend for a smooth surgery & recovery minimizing swelling & other complications?

Answers (4)

Answer: Nutrition after Rhinoplasty.

Answer: Nutrition after Rhinoplasty.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.