Nutrition

• Surgery is a stress on your body.
• Preparing for surgery is like preparing for any kind of race. 
• Your body requires proper training and nutrition before and after to ensure the best recovery. 
• This is what you need to know to get ready:

Giving your body the nutrients it needs leading up to your surgery will support healthy healing and fight off infections! 

Having surgery means your body will burn a lot of energy before and after the surgery and your body can start breaking down muscle for energy.  This can decrease strength and delay recovery.  Protect your muscles by eating protein-rich foods and exercising before and after surgery.

Vitamin D, B12 and Calcium are also important for bone healing and anemia. 

 Protein is important for muscle healing. There are a number of ways to increase protein in your diet.  

Protein Tips:

• Consume 2-3 servings of meat/alternatives per day, spread through the day.
• Consume 2-3 servings of milk/alternatives per day, spread through the day.
• Eat fatty fish at least two times a week.

Check the bottom of the page for handouts on additional protein information.  You can print these out for your use at home.

Ensuring you have an adequate amount of iron in your diet will help maintain blood iron levels to help decrease the risk of a blood transfusion. 

Iron Tips:

• Animal sources include meat, fish and poultry. Our bodies easily absorb this type of iron.
• Plant sources include dried beans, peas and lentils and some fruits and vegetables.

Speak with your Family Doctor or Pharmacist about iron supplements

The Canadian Nutrition Screening Tool is used to identify patients who are at risk for malnutrition.  Ask yourself the following questions:

• Have you lost weight in the past 6 months without trying to lose this weight?
• Have you been eating less than usual for more than a week?

If you answered yes to both questions, please consider contacting a registered dietitian.

Interior Health Nutrition Programs for the South Okanagan (MSP funded)

The following Integrated Health Programs are available through the Penticton Health Centre.  Call 250-770-3530 or 1-800-707-8550 for more details regarding the following programs.

• Diabetes Education Program (this is self referred, you can contact them directly at the above number). 

• Healthy Heart Rehabilitation Program, Renal Program-Pre-Dialysis, or Outpatient Nutrition Counselling (these programs need your Family Physician to send a referral). 

• Nutrition grocery store tours, Heart health & diabetes basics class, or Home health dietician.  Call the above number for information.

Private Practice Dietitians (Fee for service)

Celine Evans, RD, MSc, Dip. Sports Nutrition (IOC)

celine@nutrition360.ca

778-531-4360

Celeste Keller, RD

South Okanagan Nutrition Consulting

250-808-9129

We have a patient passport available for you to print off and keep a written record of what you want to work on.  Keeping a journal helps you stay focused and reach your goals.