Vegetables and fruits. As with any diet, fruits and vegetables are recommended, especially dark leafy greens. Other good foods include red onions, broccoli, pineapples and apples, and capers to decrease swelling faster. These provide your body with essential vitamins to help you heal and fight infection.
Ice, elevation and avoiding strenuous movement are the first modes of treatment for excessive swelling after surgery. The ice causes blood vessels to contract, but limit ice packs to 15-minute intervals to avoid damaging the tissues with the cold temperature.
Consuming foods which are rich in proteins, omega 3 essential fatty acids, iron, fiber, vitamins, and minerals as these nutrients help in the healing process in the body and also reduce swelling. Remember leafy vegetables and whole grains are good foods that reduce swelling after surgery.
Eating foods rich in protein is important for healing and repairing tissues. Protein also helps your body make new blood cells, which are necessary for wound healing. Good sources of protein include lean meats, poultry, fish, tofu, eggs, legumes, and nuts.
Ice, Ice Baby: Ice packs (especially in the first 24 to 48 hours) are key to reducing swelling and pain. You may even be given your first ice pack before leaving the clinic. Stay Lifted: You may be advised to elevate the area you had surgery on, which usually means raising the torso.
How Long Does Post-op Swelling Last? Swelling after surgery tends to last about two weeks, with gradual improvements experienced each day. Minor swelling will persist for about two weeks after that, with residual swelling lasting another few weeks after that.
Walking is important. It helps to prevent blood clots, it will help reduce swelling, and it is good for the lungs after surgery.
The most important thing you can do following a surgical procedure is to get plenty of rest. Although you may want to get back to your everyday routine as quickly as possible, it is important for you to take some time off from your responsibilities to allow your body to heal.
What can you eat if you're feeling nauseous after surgery? To keep up your strength, try eating small amounts of bland foods throughout the day. For example, flat ginger ale, chicken broth, crackers, plain toast, and bananas are easy to digest.
Fresh fruit
Berries–such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries–are all incredible sources of antioxidants. Other forms of fresh fruit, like oranges, peaches, and pears are great to incorporate into your post-surgery diet as well.
Pineapple and Papaya. Swelling and bruising are common after surgery. Pineapple and papaya are known to reduce swelling and inflammation because they contain protease enzymes that the body uses to digest proteins. Consuming pineapple and papaya after surgery will help offset the swelling that may occur after surgery.
Use short stretch compression garments to reduce tissue edema and swelling. Apply heat after the first few days to improve the mobility of the lymphatic system and improve swelling. Try to avoid putting weight or pressure on the affected area.
RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation – are common ways to reduce swelling.
Generally, avoid high-fat meats, eggs, dairy products, and sugary sweets. According to the National Institute of Aging (NIA), these foods are low in fiber and may lead to constipation.
Healthy fats from olive oil, avocados, coconut oil, nuts and seeds will improve immune response and aid the body's absorption of vitamins. Fat will also help increase energy levels after surgery. Vitamins and Minerals. Perhaps the most important nutrients in your post-surgery diet are vitamins and minerals.
Yogurt contains healthy bacteria that can help restore gut health after antibiotics and surgery. Yogurt is also easy to tolerate; it is unlikely to cause nausea or vomiting after surgery. And it contains zinc and protein, two nutrients that promote healing.
Walking after surgery: Lowers your risk of problems as you heal from surgery. Gets your blood flowing throughout your body. This helps you heal faster after surgery.
Sleep is very important
The importance of rest after surgery is stressed by doctors because your body is going to do a lot of healing while sleeping. After all, your body does the majority of its healing while you're asleep. It's important that you're able to take a nap whenever you need to.
If you want to use ice more often, that is perfectly fine. There are many good ways to use ice. NEVER place ice in direct contact with your skin. In all cases, the ice pack should have a towel, wash cloth or pillow case between it and your skin.
During your recovery in the hospital, you may have been started on anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Advil® and Motrin®). Anti-inflammatory medicines assist with healing by reducing swelling and pain.
Swelling is normal after surgery. As the body begins healing itself, thousands of cells are sent to the affected body part. This is part of the first stage of healing called the inflammatory phase. The influx of all of these cells to the area causes more swelling.