What you eat has a profound impact on the pace and outcome of your breast augmentation recovery. Plastic surgeons recommend that you focus on a healthy and balanced diet to equip your body with the nutrients needed to get back up as fast as possible. Here is our list of the top foods to eat following your breast enlargement surgery.
Protein-rich foods
From our basic knowledge, proteins are body-building foods. Following a surgical procedure, they are needed in large amounts to repair cells, heal incisions, and fight infections. Some excellent food sources of protein include fish, eggs, turkey, beans, peas, and other legumes. Make sure that you integrate a healthy dose of protein into each meal during your breast augmentation recovery.
Fiber-rich options
Generally, surgery alters the normal functioning of the body. It takes a while before the body regains its normal stature. One of the processes that are disrupted is bowel movement. Many patients suffer from constipation during the recovery process. Eating meals rich in fiber as well as drinking plenty of water helps to reduce the rate of constipation. Examples of fiber-rich foods include prunes, apples, pears, bran flakes, oatmeal, beans, flaxseed, and other legumes.
Dairy
After surgery, it is normal to take medication to relieve pain, prevent infections, and also help strengthen your immunity. Such medication may irritate your stomach particularly the intestinal lining. Dairy products such as yogurt, milk, and kefir help preserve the balance of the digestive system. They also help to protect against a widespread bacterial infection in the bowels and intestines known as c-diff. In addition, dairy products have a significant amount of calcium which boosts the healing process.
Carrots
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene that is converted to Vitamin A after digestion. Our bodies use Vitamin A to help in the repair of skin, body tissues, mucous membranes, and any other tissue that may be damaged during surgery. Other foods that provide beta-carotene include sweet potatoes, mango, and cantaloupe.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms exist in different types such as reishi, shiitake, and maitake. They are a good source of energy and are rich in vitamins such as thiamine, folate, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and niacin. These nutrients help the body make use of the food we eat and aid in the production of red blood cells responsible for the distribution of oxygen throughout the whole body. In addition, mushrooms promote a healthy immune system since they reduce inflammatory proteins in the body.
Citrus Fruit and Bell Pepper
Bell pepper and citrus fruits are highly concentrated in vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed by the body for the growth and repair of tissues, especially at the incision sites. It helps heal wounds and form scar tissues, aids in the absorption of iron, repairs and maintains bones, teeth, and cartilages, and more importantly forms an important protein that is used in making the skin, blood vessels, tendons, and ligaments. Some other good sources of vitamin C include broccoli, blackcurrants, and strawberries.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Vegetables form the basic portion of the meals we eat. There are a variety of vegetables to include the cruciferous type. These are low in calories and highly rich in vitamin C, K, E, fiber, and folate. They also contain phytonutrients, plant-based compounds, that help lower inflammation. Over the years, they have gained popularity apparently because of their ability to help fight cancer ailments. Examples of cruciferous vegetables include arugula, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kales.
Papaya and Pineapples
Papayas and pineapples are a great source of antioxidants, nutrients, and enzymes that help fight diseases and inflammation. They also help boost our immunity, prevent indigestion, and fasten recovery from surgery. Aside from this, they contain the enzyme bromelain that helps shrink belly fat. This enzyme additionally helps break down excess proteins and reduces swelling effects post-surgery.
Pumpkins
Pumpkins are incredibly healthy. They are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. They are also low in calories which favor weight loss. Pumpkins contain high levels of zinc which promote a healthy immune system and are necessary for the synthesis of proteins. In addition, it protects eyesight and promotes skin and heart health.
Rich Colored Fruits
After surgery, our bodies need large amounts of antioxidants since it can easily be affected by free-radical productions. Rich colored fruits contain these antioxidants in large amounts which provides the body with the ability to reduce oxidation levels. Examples of such fruits include blueberries, cherries, blackberries, and pomegranates. They help heal scars and incisions on the body.
Conclusion
Adhering to a healthy and balanced diet, staying hydrated, and following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions are some of the most important tips to ensure a faster recovery following breast enlargement surgery.
