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Pre-Surgery Nutrition
Eating to Improve Healing Before and After Your Surgery
If you are having surgery or major medical treatment soon, it's important to pay extra
attention to nutrition. What you eat – and how much you eat – can help you do better during
and after surgery and treatment.
Protein Pointers
Protein is essential for maintaining muscle. Adults with more muscle mass have more
independence, better balance and less risk for falls and fractures. Beginning in their 40s,
adults typically lose 1 or 2 percent of their muscle mass every year. Eating the right
amount of protein throughout the day can help you maintain muscle.
What counts as an ounce of protein?
Remember that your goal is 3-4 ounces per meal.
▪ 1 ounce of cooked meat, fish or chicken (3-4 ounces is about the size of a deck of
cards or the palm of your hand)
▪ ¼ cup of cooked beans, peas or lentils
A healthy, balanced diet with extra protein can help you:
▪ Build strength to prepare your body for surgery or treatment
▪ Recover better after surgery
▪ Heal wounds, bones and infections
▪ Tolerate cancer treatments and other medical treatments better
▪ Have enough energy and strength for physical therapy
Poor nutrition has been shown to:
▪ Increase infections and surgery complications
▪ Impair wound healing
▪ Increase the amount of time spent in hospitals
▪ Increase the amount of care and support needed after leaving the hospital
