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Please Note: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. If you have any health concern, see a licensed healthcare professional in person.
It’s no secret that in today’s pop-culture influenced world, more people are getting plastic surgery than ever. Studies have shown that a person’s confidence and self-esteem—which affects many facets of life and can determine personal success—is heavily linked to physical appearance.
Contrary to what you might think, men are also likely to undergo cosmetic surgery. For many years, there’s been a lingering taboo over men and their attention to physical detail, but the truth is, more men are opting for elective cosmetic surgery than ever. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found that men comprise 10% of all plastic surgeries—that’s triple the number of men who opted for surgery in 1997. According to another survey, there’s also a significant rise in men who are “considering” plastic surgery in the future.
For instance, breast reduction surgery among men is rising due to gynecomastia, or “man boobs,” which make many men feel insecure about their appearance. Men who have embarked on a fitness mission to lose fat are also prone to loose and excess skin, and might opt for a tummy tuck or liposuction to eliminate the fat areas that are most resistant to exercise and diet.
Dr. Ali Sadeghi is a double board-certified surgeon who specializes in reconstructive surgery and cosmetic plastic surgery in New Orleans. Dr. Sadehgi is well-known in the area, having garnered impressive plastic surgeon reviews locally. For Dr. Sadeghi, helping men achieve their goals is important.
With more men than ever feeling comfortable enough to address the changes they’d like to see, it’s equally pertinent that they have a successful surgery. Part of having a great surgical experience is paying close attention to how you treat your body before and after you leave the clinic. A healthy food diet will help you achieve a speedy recovery. And of course, it will help you get as close as possible to your ideal body type. With that in mind, here are Dr. Ali Sadeghi’s recommendations for a post-surgery diet:
Add Veggies to Your Meals
The vitamins and minerals found in vegetables provide you with some of the most important nutrients for a healing diet. Cabbage, carrots, and broccoli are great veggies to infuse into your diet. These veggies will provide you with a strong boost of Vitamin A and C, as well as fiber. It’s also important to stay away from processed foods and try to stick to whole foods. For instance, a baked potato is a great whole food, while french fries are processed and chock full of other additives your body doesn’t need for healing.
Don’t Forget About Protein
You may not realize this, but protein plays a critical role in the body’s healing process. No matter what type of surgery you undertake, your body needs a solid dose of protein and iron to repair muscles and tissue altered during a procedure.
The amino acids present in proteins repair muscle damage via tissue regeneration, thereby speeding up the healing process. The iron present in protein also creates new blood cells, which helps you restore your energy levels. If you have trouble eating or digesting tougher poultry, opt for slow-cooked meats. Seafood, beans, nuts, and eggs are also all great forms of protein.
Incorporate Probiotics
Probiotics are the natural, healthy bacteria that help promote homeostasis in the body—our natural state of balance. By balancing the friendly bacteria in your digestive system, you’ll be able to more easily digest food and fight off bad bacteria that could lead to infections and germs.
Furthermore, surgery naturally disrupts our body’s natural flow—particularly when anesthetics, antibiotic pills, and painkillers are involved. Probiotics create balance by regulating your system and easing the load on your gut. For instance, several studies have found that probiotics can help prevent and treat diarrhea, a common side effect for people on antibiotics. Two popular probiotic-rich foods are yogurt and sauerkraut. You can also purchase probiotic capsule pills from your local health food store.
Whole Grains = Carbohydrates
Your brain takes up a lot of your body’s energy, and carbohydrates help fuel your brain. Carbohydrate-rich foods can improve your cognitive ability and can help restore brain function, easing your feelings of post-surgery lightheadedness. Whole grains also provide you with plenty of fiber to help restore your energy. Steel-cut oats, whole wheat, and quinoa are great whole grain sources.
Drink Plenty of Water
Although doctors often emphasize the need for patients to drink plenty of water after surgery, this is a tip that often gets ignored. With the bulk of a person’s body comprised of water, it’s no wonder your organs crave it during stressful times. The more hydrated you are, the quicker you’re likely to recover. Certain types of surgeries may require you to drink more water than the suggested daily dietary amount.
Lack of water can easily lead to dehydration, which stalls the healing process and affects other parts of the body. Keep in mind that being thirsty is not an on-time indicator of dehydration, because symptoms of dehydration—including feelings of thirst—occur only after dehydration has already occurred. Take preventative precautions by drinking eight cups of water per day, unless otherwise noted by your surgeon.
These dietary tips will help you not only heal quicker, but feel better. To make it easier for you to incorporate these tips into your post-surgery diet, start early with the same pre-surgery diet. This allows you to become better adjusted to your new food plan, and will make it easier to stick to once your surgery is complete. Be sure to do all your grocery shopping and meal prep before surgery, freeing up your time to relax your body and focus on your health.
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This content is sponsored by Sheldon White.
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