Want to Heal Faster? Eat Protein!

Healthy eating is a hot topic at our practice. We share nutrition information with our patients because we know that what you eat can have a dramatic effect on how your body heals after surgery. A key nutrient when it comes to wound healing is protein. It’s abundant, and doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Surgery, Nutrients & Your Metabolism

Even a small wound affects the way your body metabolises essential nutrients. Healing stresses hormone production and diverts nutritional resources – carbs, fats, and protein – to create new tissue. This is known as the catabolic stage of healing.

The longer it takes for you to heal, the more your body deteriorates. Nutrients are sent to the wound, leaving other important body systems and organs without the protein they need to function. This makes eating well before and after surgery more than just a good idea – it’s good medicine.

Are You Getting Enough Protein?

The Better Health Channel recently published an article that revealed, “Most Australians eat far more protein than they need.” Are you one of the few or one of the many? It could be hard for you to answer, since you may not even know how much protein you need or how much you’ve been eating. The general recommendation is:

• Women – .75 grams per kilogram of body weight
• Men – .84 grams per kilogram of body weight

You are unique, however, and these numbers may not apply to you. Factors that affect your protein intake include:

• Height
• Weight
• Age

Talk with your doctor to learn more about how much protein you need so your body can grow and repair cells naturally. You can also take a look at this comprehensive chart of protein values in food published by the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Think Ahead!

When you have facial plastic surgery in your future, it’s important to do the right thing in the present. How you eat before and after your procedures will help you:

• Prevent infection
• Heal your wounds
• Create strong wound tissue
• Recover more quickly

Pack on Protein at Every Meal & Snack

Protein is essential to repairing damaged tissue. While you’re healing, you’ll want to take in more protein than usual. To make sure you’re getting enough, try some of these options:

• Eggs for breakfast
• Smoothies for a midmorning snack
• Beans and rice for lunch
• Nuts for an arvo pick-me-up
• Lean meat, chicken, and fish for dinner

Sometimes life can get in the way of nutritious eating. When all else fails, you can get protein from supplement powders that contain:

• Plant-based proteins
• Soy protein
• Whey protein

Let’s Make a Plan Together

We believe that facial plastic surgery is a team effort. Our founder, Dr George Marcells, is our team leader, and he’ll work with you to map out a plan of action that will give you the best chance for the best possible surgical outcome. If you’d like to know more, please use our online enquiry form or call us. We’re waiting to hear from you.