Diet and nutrition is important not just for your daily health but also for anyone undergoing any surgical procedure including gender confirmation surgery such as breast augmentation top surgery. This article provides instructions for the recommended foods, drinks, medications, and supplements prior to your operation and during your recovery to optimize your healing. Keep in mind that these are many other healthy options and you are not limited to the recommendations listed here.
Healing after breast augmentation takes time, but there are steps you can take in advance of surgery to speed up the recovery process.
Stop Smoking – This step isn’t optional. If you’re considering breast augmentation, or any surgery at our practice, you must stop using tobacco at least three weeks before surgery and for another three weeks after surgery. Because smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin, it can delay wound healing and may cause increased scarring.
Eat Low-Sodium – A high-sodium diet is one of the main causes of excess fluid retention, which can extend swelling during your recovery. Cutting out sodium in advance of surgery (1500 mg a day or less) will improve your recovery by diminishing swelling.
Discontinue Certain Medications – Prior to surgery, your surgeon will review all supplements and over-the-counter medications and prescriptions that you are currently taking or plan to take in the near future. Certain medications like aspirin can increase your risk or bruising and bleeding during recovery. Your surgeon will provide recommendations for discontinuing any prohibited medications.
Below is a list of foods that are easy for your body to digest. When you eat foods that are easy to digest, your body can spend more energy on recovering. However, you are not limited to the foods listed here.Most important to note is that salt (sodium) should be avoided. High salt intake can cause swelling and may prolong your recovery.
Visit our page on Post-Op Low Sodium Food Options to learn more about meal-prep suggestions to accommodate low salt intake during the first two weeks after surgery.
The foods, supplements and medications listed below are to be used in moderation only:
Almonds, Apples, Apricots, Berries (Black, 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).
There are a variety of natural supplements and remedies that can be used to speed up the healing process, and minimize some of the negative side effects often associated with recovery.
All virtual and in-person consultations with our board-certified surgeons are free. Once you fill out this form, our patient care team will reach out and guide you through every step to get to surgery.