What are the Nutrition Recommendations for Patients Undergoing Surgery?
Nutrition is an important aspect of surgery prep and as a specialized surgery dietitian, I wanted to provide you with a comprehensive list of nutrition recommendations for patients undergoing surgery.
Are you preparing for an upcoming BBL, face lift, or cosmetic procedure? Are you confused on how to best fuel your body before going into surgery?
Don't worry- you aren't alone. Most patients do not feel that they are given the right nutrition knowledge to empower them before their surgery. That's where I come in!
In today's article, I will be going over my best tips and hacks you can use to set your body up for success before your next surgical procedure. This includes what types of foods you should be eating, how much water to be drinking, and the benefits of exercise for reducing post-op complications.
Keep reading to learn more and make sure to save this post for before your next upcoming surgery!
Nutrition Recommendations for Patients Undergoing Surgery
1. Get Your Body Physically Strong
My patients who do resistance training and walking tend to have less swelling and bruising from surgery. Science has shown us that this is due to a variety of reasons.
First off, aerobic exercise such as walking and stair-climbing can increase your oxygen uptake and improve your cardiovascular health. This can increase blood flow throughout your body, which reduces inflammation and the potential for bruising.
Resistance training will help build up your muscle mass. An increase in muscle mass can have benefits for both before and after your surgical procedure, including a reduction in post-op complications.
Action Tip #1: schedule in time for workouts at least 4 times a week leading up to your surgery. YouTube is a great resource for at-home videos if you do not attend a gym.
2. Incorporate Quality Proteins
Many people tend to gravitate towards lower-quality sources of protein. But this is not as beneficial as focusing on lean, higher quality protein options.
Eating good protein sources are essential because your body needs all nine essential amino acids to build muscle after surgery. Amino acids are the building blocks for protein and you must get them from the food you eat.
My favorite quality proteins for surgery are:
Herring
Chicken
Pistachios
Eggs
If you haven't already, make sure to check out my article on the best proteins to eat for plastic surgery!
3. Get on a water-drinking plan
Hitting those fluid goals can be tough! But small things, such as knowing how many ounces your favorite water bottle holds, or eating foods rich in water, can help you hit those goals with ease.
I recommend aiming to hit 100 ounces of water per day. A few other tips you can use to hit those goals are:
Drink electrolyte water or add an electrolyte packet to your water bottle
Try flavored or seltzer waters
Add fruit and vegetable infusions to enhance flavor
Eat foods with a high-water content: watermelon, cucumber, celery
Check out our dietitian curated meal plan and surgery supplements for to give you a beautiful incision and recovery.
4. create a post-op meal plan
Create a post op meal plan for yourself that meets your specific calorie and protein goals. This is your BEST BET FOR SUCCESS!
It is important to have specific goals in mind when it comes to eating after surgery. You will be able to stay on track and support your body with what it needs. When you don't have a plan, it can be easy to fall off or feel unprepared after your procedure.
Keep in mind what condition you will be in when you are finished with your surgery. This includes any side effects that may influence the way you are eating. For example, if you are getting facial surgery, you may need to only eat soft foods for the first few days. You would obviously want to plan in advance for this as it will change what you are eating!
Action tip #2: Sit down and create a post-operative meal plan that includes a list of meals and a grocery list. use a meal planning app or a simple pen and paper.
It is important to surround yourself with medical professionals who can guide you to a safe recovery. Health coaches should not be involved with surgery because they do not have the proper education and credentials. Seeking a medical professional is the best choice to help you on your journey.
Follow us here to get involved with a plastic surgery dietitian:
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Final thoughts
Here are my final thoughts on nutrition recommendations for patients undergoing surgery:
Get your body physically strong with resistance training and aerobic exercise like walking
Choose quality protein sources that contain all 9 amino acids
Get on a water-drinking plan to help with hydration
Create a post-op meal plan to set yourself up for success
Surround yourself with medical professionals who can guide you to a safe recovery
Remember that you are investing time and money into a surgical procedure. How your body is set-up before surgery will effect your recovery post-op. You will get out what you put in- so don't leave surgery prep as an afterthought!
Born from clinical experience, stubborn integrity, and love.
My Story
In 2019, I closed a chapter as a surgical dietitian. Underneath the noise, I felt lost. One night, I remember standing alone in my kitchen and I prayed, "God, take this life and do something with it."
Three months later, on a camping trip, my husband and I connected with a plastic surgeon. I asked him an earnest question: "What do you give your patients to help them heal after surgery?"
He said, "Nothing. We send them home on arnica."
My stomach dropped. I thought of all the women choosing surgery to feel more at home in their bodies—brave, thoughtful, intentional—and being handed nothing more than a hope and a wish.
So I began searching for "the supplement" I wish I'd had for my patients. It didn't exist. What I found instead were formulas with:
Cheap, poorly absorbed ingredients
Subpar dosages that wouldn't move the needle
Prebiotics and Probiotics that were already dead on arrival
Deceptive marketing and a loud "push harder" message that didn't honor a woman's healing pace.
It took five years. Six figures in losses. Three near-bankruptcies. We didn't give up.
We created Sulinu—born from clinical experience, stubborn integrity, and a genuine love for women who are investing in themselves.
What makes Sulinu different:
Evidence-aligned dosages of nutrients that actually matter for post-op healing
Thoughtful formulation for absorption and synergy—not just a label full of buzzwords.
Details that care for you: from the functional bag design to the clarity of our education on the website. No fluff. No fear tactics. Just what works and why.
Is Sulinu a luxury? Yes. Because healing deserves precision.
Your body is not a problem to fix; it's a partner to support. Healing is a biological process that loves to be nourished.
I made Sulinu for the woman who leads with intention, who wants her recovery to reflect the care she's put into every other part of this decision. Thank you for being here. I'm honored to support your healing.
An all-in-one surgery nutrition powder formulated to support the body before and after cosmetic procedures — with a complete blend of protein, collagen, amino acids, micronutrients, synbiotics, and enzymes.
Free ground shipping on orders over $199 100% money-back guarantee Discreet shipping (privacy matters)
Why you'll love it
One scoop delivers targeted nutrition to support:
The body's natural recovery process
Tissue and skin nourishment
Digestive comfort and gut balance
Overall wellness during a demanding time
Peace of mind with tested, high-quality sourcing
"This became part of my daily routine after my procedure — I loved the vanilla flavor and how easy it was to mix in." — Jessie
What makes it different
27 thoughtfully selected ingredients
Bioavailable forms designed for absorption
5 patented ingredients
Clinically studied ingredients
3rd-party tested
Sourced from Europe + international suppliers
Gluten-free, vegetarian whey
No gluten, soy, artificial colors/flavors, or GMOs
Good to know
You can start at any point in your nutrition journey — it's never too late to begin supporting your body with quality nutrition.
Directions
Take ½ to 1 scoop daily
Max: 1 scoop/day
Use daily for at least 6 weeks
Recommended protocol
We recommend 3 bags total for most timelines:
1 bag to start
2 bags to continue
What's included
1 pouch = 20 servings
Super-fine powder that dissolves quickly
Vanilla flavor — mix into cold or warm drinks, smoothies, or recipes
Customer feedback
90% of surveyed customers liked the taste.* *Based on our 2024 customer survey.
Allergy information
Contains lactose. Processed in a facility that may also process eggs, peanuts, sesame, soy, tree nuts, shellfish, and other allergens.
Eight Expert Guides on Healing - Ultimate Mocktail Recipes, Swelling Guide, Fast Food, How to Poop (You'll Thank Us!), Meal Guide, Protein Guide, Hydration Guide, and Smoothie Recipes - All Included!
You've booked the surgery. Now prepare like you mean it.
Most patients walk into surgery focused on the procedure — and walk out wishing someone had told them what to do next.The Ultimate Surgery Bundle is that someone.
Eight expert guides covering everything from what to eat and how to hydrate, to managing swelling, navigating fast food on a recovery diet, and keeping your digestion on track — all in one place, all designed to work together.
130+ pages of essential pre-and post-surgery guidance for optimizing recovery.
Pair it with Before + After Vitals for complete nutritional support from the day you book your procedure to the day you're back to yourself.
$57 (130 value) - Everything you need in one instant download.
What's included:
Mocktails & Nightcaps Guide ($20 value)
Swelling Guide ($20 value)
Fast Food Guide ($20 value)
Constipation Guide ($20 value)
Surgery Meal Guide ($20 value)
Protein Guide ($10 value)
Hydration Guide ($10 value)
Smoothie Recipes ($10 value)
Total value: $130 — yours for $57
The VIP Surgery Recovery Kit - Everything You Need for Surgery Recovery
Surgery is an investment. The VIP Surgical Recovery Kit is how you protect it.
Designed specifically for cosmetic surgery patients, the VIP Surgical Recovery Kit gives you every tool to enter the OR prepared and come out healing faster.
What's in the box?
2 bags of Before + After Vitals — our clinically focused surgical supplement
1 highly requested Pre and Post Surgery Recipe Guide*
7 travel bagsfor on-the-go recovery
1 personal blender for mixing your daily supplement
1 personal bag
1
essential oil to support rest and recovery
1 essential oil recovery bracelet
No guesswork. No missing pieces. Just everything you need, in one kit, built around your results.
*Personal bag, essential oil, and essential oil bracelet all vary with each box
Scoop. Mix. Heal.
The Pre and Post Surgery Recipe Guide is a physical, exclusive book included only in the VIP kit. You won't find it anywhere else. Your recovery deserves something you can actually hold in your hands. Created and curated by a surgical dietitian, designed to take the guesswork out of eating for healing.
*Return Policy
This is a signature-upon-arrival purchase. Meal Guides, Bracelet, Personal Bag, Essential Oil, and Bracelet are final sale.
It’s no secret that amino acids are one of the main components of skin and muscle tissue, so it makes sense to increase your protein intake before and after plastic surgery (or any surgery). Ho...
If you have a surgical procedure coming up, you have probably been wondering what you should or shouldn’t be eating after your procedure. Many of the typical foods that are recommended ar...
This is a great document… so I dont want to take away feom that… but it was very disappointing to pay $20 amd then realize rhat almost everything in rhe small file is information I’ve already gleaned from Sulinu’s instagram and information cards that come with the product. It would be fine if I’d bought the whole collection of guides but couldnt swing he almost $60 so just chose one. Again, I love this company and appreciate them! But you really dont need to buy this individual guide if uou follow the instagram.
On week 3 of taking it post-op. Healing has been solid, but I legitimately hate choking this down every day. A little gritty and tastes awful. PLEASE make an unflavored version.
We really feel this product aided in the fast healing for my husband after his rotator cuff surgery! He is 4 weeks post op and ahead of the curve in his healing!
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