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Diet and Nutrition After Surgery

Although you are not limited to the items below, this is a list of foods that are easy for your body to digest, which will give your body can spend more energy on recovering. Most important to note is that salt (sodium) should be avoided. High salt intake will cause you to swell and may prolong your recovery.

Check out this page to learn more about post-op low sodium food and meal prep options.

Food and Drink Supply:

• Prunes in moderation, for fiber
• Yogurt, baby food, apple sauce (good to take with your prescriptions to coat your stomach)
• Frozen dessert bars
• Fresh fruit: pineapple, papaya (reduces swelling)
• Soups (low sodium to avoid swelling)
• Plenty of water and juices
• Bread for toast

The foods, supplements and medications listed below are to be used in moderation only:

Foods containing Salicylates:

Almonds, Apples, Apricots, Berries (Blackberry, Boysenberry, Raspberry, Strawberry), Cherries, Cucumbers, Pickles, Currants, Grapes, Prunes, Tomatoes, Chinese Black Beans, Wine, and Alcohol (do not drink any alcoholic beverages beginning 1 week prior to surgery and for 1 week after surgery).

Medications and Supplements:

• Aspirin and Ibuprofen containing medications (Do not take even one tablet of any of these within 2 weeks before operation. They thin the blood and can cause complications. Wait until 1 week after surgery to resume taking these medications.)
• Herbs: Gingko Biloba, Ginger, Saint John’s Wort, Feverfew
• Vitamins: E, Fish Oil, Garlic Tablets, Cholesterol Medications, Niacin. These should be stopped 2 weeks before surgery and should not be resumed until 1 week after surgery.
• Important: All medications to be used for pain relief for arthritis are to be avoided even if they are not on the above list. (Please notify us about all vitamins you are taking.)
• You will be given a comprehensive list of all medications to avoid beginning two weeks prior to your surgery date during your preoperative appointment.
• Please be sure to notify the office of all medication you are taking. This includes all prescription and non-prescription medications.