Alan Swenson, MD, FAAOS

Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
(907) 562-2277 | 3801 Lake Otis Pkwy, Anchorage, AK 99508

Before Surgery Nutrition Guidelines

Your pre-surgery diet should include as many nutrients in your “bank account” as possible before surgery.

Eat enough protein.	At least 1–2 weeks before surgery, make sure to eat enough protein every day. Protein needs are based on the amount of muscle that you have, but research has shown that 1.2–2.0 gms/kg per day are proving to be optimal. Protein provides building blocks for our muscles, bones, and our immune system. You want to be as strong as possible going into surgery. Your protein needs:
Stock up on fruit and vegetables.	Include fruit and vegetables at most meals and snacks. More specifically, greens. Greens are great for your skin and repair muscles, bones, and cartilage because they contain loads of vitamins and minerals including vitamins C, K, and magnesium.
Include whole grains.	Be sure to include good sources of whole grains to give your body all the B vitamins it needs to combat stress.
Eat less of these.	Consider reducing or eliminating additional sugars, caffeine, and alcohol from your diet. These create more stress on the body and actually remove nutrients from the body to metabolize properly.
“Carbohydrate Load”	Prior to surgery to prevent metabolic stress, insulin resistance, decrease nausea and vomiting.

Supplements

Zinc:

50 mg for 3 months and then switch to 15 mg.

Vitamin D:

1000 iu in the summer and 2000 iu in the winter.

Vitamin C:

500–600 mg per day. If possible split the dose, such as 250 mg twice a day. After the wound heals, the vitamin C in a multivitamin is adequate.

Calcium:

May be beneficial with up to 1500 mg per day. Once healed, taper down, such as 1000 mg for one week, then 500 mg for the final week.

Vitamin A:

5000 iu per day. Once you have healed from surgery, a multivitamin, vitamin D, and a balanced diet is adequate.