When we think about supporting the body’s healing process, even after a surgical procedure, it can be helpful to think about what we eat and drink during recovery.
A DIEP flap breast reconstruction involves moving skin, fat, and blood vessels from the lower abdomen to the chest. After an extensive procedure, your body will be working hard on repairing multiple areas at the same time. Eating a healthy and balanced diet during recovery and making sure that you stay hydrated can help to support that process.
In this blog, we’ll provide you with some general information on what you may like to think about when it comes to nutrition after your procedure. However, we will always recommend following your personalised advice from your surgeon, or another specialist, such as a dietician.
Why does nutrition matter during recovery?
After any surgical procedure, your body relies on energy and nutrients to rebuild tissue, maintain circulation, and reduce inflammation.
After a DIEP flap breast reconstruction, healing involves both the abdominal site and the reconstructed breast, which can naturally make your nutritional requirements higher than usual. While rest and careful movement are a big part of recovery, what you eat provides the raw materials for tissue repair. Generally speaking and as broad examples, protein helps rebuild muscle and skin, vitamins and minerals can help to assist wound healing, and hydration can help to support circulation and general health.
Without the right nutrition, your body may sometimes take a longer to heal – but healing ultimately depends on multiple factors. Paying attention to your diet is a helpful step during your recovery process regardless.
How about protein intake?
Making sure that you’re getting enough protein while your body is healing can help to support the tissues in the operated areas. It can also support your general energy levels throughout the days.
Suitable sources of protein can include lean meats like chicken and turkey, as well as fish, eggs, beans, lentils, and tofu. Dairy products such as yoghurt or cottage cheese can also help boost protein intake.
Since DIEP flap breast reconstruction involves a significant amount of tissue healing, making sure that you have a sufficient protein intake can be quite helpful. However, you should still maintain balance and include leafy greens, vegetables and grains.
Should carbohydrates and fats be avoided?
Carbohydrates and fats often get labelled as less important, but during recovery, they are still important sources of energy.
Wholegrain bread, brown rice, quinoa, oats, and fruit are good examples of carbohydrates that release energy gradually rather than spiking blood sugar.
Healthy fats also support healing, particularly those rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Sources such as salmon, walnuts, chia seeds, and olive oil are good to include.
Balancing carbohydrates and fats alongside protein helps to provide steady energy and can help to lessen the fatigue that is normal to experience during recovery.
Which vitamins and minerals are most important?
During recovery after DIEP flap breast reconstruction, it’s helpful to make sure that you’re providing your body to a variety of vitamins and minerals.
While multiple types of vitamins and minerals are important, some key types to think about are vitamin C, zinc, iron and vitamin A.
Vitamin C sources can include a variety of citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Zinc can be found in foods such as pumpkin seeds, beef, shellfish, and chickpeas. Good iron sources can include red meat, spinach, and beans, especially when combined with vitamin C-rich foods to help with absorption. Vitamin A can be found in leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
Including a wide variety of colourful fruits and vegetables will usually give you a good balance of these nutrients. If you have any allergies to some of these sources or follow a diet that excludes them, you can still seek personalised advice from an experienced nutritionist or dietician for guidance on how to fit these vitamins and minerals into your diet.
How important is hydration?
Hydration is often overlooked, but it plays quite an important part in general health, circulation and digestion after surgery.
Anaesthesia, pain medication, and reduced activity can all contribute to constipation, which is uncomfortable and can put strain on your abdominal area. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps to prevent this.
Fluids also support blood flow and help to maintain circulation, keeping tissues healthy and reducing the risk of complications.
If you don’t feel like drinking plain water all of the time, herbal teas, diluted natural juices, and soups can help contribute to your overall fluid intake and support your hydration levels.
What foods might be best to limit?
Highly processed foods that are high in sugar or unhealthy fats can sometimes lead to inflammation. Excessive salt consumption can also contribute to fluid retention, which may make swelling worse.
While you don’t need to eliminate these types of foods entirely, keeping them to a minimum during recovery is generally advised.
As for beverages, too much caffeine may interfere with hydration, while alcohol can interact with pain medication and slow down tissue repair. Caffeine may be okay in moderation at a certain point during your recovery, but it’s typically advised to avoid alcohol while your body is still healing.
Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon A/Prof Bish Soliman: DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction in Sydney
If you are considering undergoing a DIEP flap breast reconstruction, speaking with an experienced surgeon can help you plan for the procedure and recovery.
As a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, A/Prof Bish Soliman specialises in complex microsurgical reconstruction, as well as aesthetic surgery of the breast, body and face. By assessing your needs and gaining a clear understanding of the results you want to achieve, he will create a personalised surgical plan and provide you with suitable recovery advice.
When you’re ready to speak to A/Prof Bish about your specific surgical needs, we invite you to get in touch with our team book your confidential consultation in Sydney. You are also welcome to contact us with any questions you may have about the procedure or the consultation process.
Read more about DIEP Flap Surgery from A/Prof Bish Soliman:
- A/Prof Bish’s breast reconstruction procedure page
- A/Prof Bish’s blog: What can you expect from DIEP Flap breast reconstruction?
- A/Prof Bish’s blog: How to recover from DIEP breast reconstruction?
- A/Prof Bish’s blog: What are my options for breast reconstruction?
- A/Prof Bish’s blog: How much does breast reconstruction cost in Australia?
- A/Prof Bish’s blog: Will Medicare cover my DIEP breast reconstruction surgery?
- A/Prof Bish’s blog: Who are the best DIEP breast reconstruction surgeons in the World?
- A/Prof Bish’s blog: Why A/Prof Soliman prefers a DIEP breast reconstruction?
- A/Prof Bish’s blog: How and when to resume arm exercises after DIEP Breast Reconstruction?
- A/Prof Bish’s blog: Should I lose weight before DIEP Flap surgery?
Medical references about DIEP Flap breast reconstruction:
