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After a breast augmentation, your body needs time to recover. Fortunately, you can help with this process by adjusting the types of food you eat. Proper nutrients (and proper avoidance of unhealthy foods) do wonders in the quickening and easing of the recovery process.
If you already have these foods in your diet, great, keep up the good work. If not, you may want to consider making some changes.
What Are the Best Healing Foods for Your Breast Augmentation Recovery?
Here is a list of healthy dietary changes you can make to ensure you have a successful post-breast augmentation recovery. These foods help recovery by nourishing and fueling your body.
Following your breast augmentation, you should:
1. Reduce Salt Intake
Avoid taking in highly salty foods as sodium increases the risk of post-operative swelling.
Tip: Watch out for pre-packaged meals. Many women consider pre-packaged or frozen meals so that they do not have to cook during their recovery. While avoiding stress in the kitchen is good, these meals can have shockingly high amounts of sodium (as it is needed to preserve foods). Instead, prepare your own food ahead of time (so you can control the amount of salt) or ask a family member or friend to help you in the kitchen.
2. Incorporate Dark Leafy Greens That Are Rich in Vitamin K
Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble nutrient that prevents bleeding after surgery. It promotes post-surgical healing by promoting quick blood clotting. You can find this vitamin in leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach.
3. Consider Collagen-Rich Foods
Your body needs collagen to help skin structure and facilitate blood clotting. This protein is rich in foods such as eggs, beans, fish, and root vegetables.
Tip: In addition to helping with recovery, collagen-rich foods have great benefits for your skin!
4. Focus on Antioxidant-Rich Foods
The body requires antioxidants to reduce oxidation levels (since the body is prone to producing free radicals after a breast augmentation).
Most rich-colored berries contain high levels of antioxidants. Ensure your diet comprises mostly dark-colored berries, strawberries, pomegranates, and blueberries.
5. Add Foods Rich in Vitamin C
Your body needs this vitamin for quick healing after a breast augmentation surgery. The vitamin contains cross-linking collagen that helps promote cell structure and facilitate the healing process.
Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus, kiwi, broccoli, and bell peppers.
6. Consume Foods That Reduce Inflammation
Your breasts will develop inflammation after your breast augmentation. However, you can counter it with foods that support the body’s immune system.
Mushrooms, such as shiitake and reishi, reduce inflammatory proteins in the body. You can also eat pineapple and papaya to minimize swelling and inflammation after surgery.
7. Drink Lots of Water
Surgery can dehydrate you, and dehydration leads to a prolonged healing process. Ensure that you drink a lot of water to ensure that your body remains hydrated.
Are These Foods Good Even After Full Recovery?
There is no need for you to stop eating these foods after you have healed. Instead, continue enriching your diet for a healthy life. For more information, you can call Dr. Hochstein’s knowledgeable staff at (305) 931-3338 or fill out our online contact form.