Surgical Nutrition: PREcovery & Recovery
Recovery starts before surgery.
Most people think recovery begins when they wake up after their operation.
We believe it starts much earlier.
Whether you’re preparing for cosmetic surgery, body contouring, orthopaedic surgery or another planned procedure, the weeks leading up to your operation provide a valuable opportunity to prepare your body for healing.
This is what we call PREcovery.
PREcovery is about giving your body the nutritional support it needs before surgery, helping you go into your procedure feeling stronger, better nourished and ready to recover.
Because the healthier your body is before surgery, the better prepared it is for the demands of healing afterwards.
What is PREcovery?
PREcovery is the period before planned surgery when you can actively prepare your body for recovery.
Unlike emergency surgery, most elective procedures give you time to optimise your health before your operation.
Rather than waiting until you’re home from hospital to think about nutrition, PREcovery helps you start supporting your recovery weeks beforehand. This may include:
- Optimising your nutritional status
- Increasing protein intake where appropriate
- Supporting hydration
- Identifying potential nutritional deficiencies
- Reviewing blood biomarkers where appropriate
- Planning practical recovery meals
- Preparing your home environment
- Developing healthy habits that support healing
Recovery doesn’t begin after surgery. Recovery begins before the first incision.
Why does PREcovery matter?
Surgery places significant demands on your body.
Healing requires energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and adequate hydration. Your immune system, muscles, skin and connective tissues all work together throughout recovery.
When surgery is planned, you have a valuable opportunity to prepare for those demands. PREcovery focuses on supporting your body before surgery so that you can approach your procedure in the best possible condition.
While no nutrition programme can guarantee a particular surgical outcome, preparing well may help you feel more confident, more organised and better equipped for the recovery ahead.
Recovery – Supporting Healing After Surgery
Your operation may be over, but your body’s work is only just beginning.
Healing is a complex biological process that continues for weeks and often months after surgery. Our Recovery programme provides ongoing nutritional guidance to help support your body’s healing process throughout this important period.
Together we’ll focus on:
- Meeting your protein requirements
- Maintaining hydration
- Supporting wound healing through good nutrition
- Managing reduced appetite
- Supporting bowel health after anaesthesia and pain medication
- Maintaining muscle while activity is reduced
- Promoting healthy scar healing
- Returning safely to normal eating habits
- Building long-term healthy habits beyond recovery
Recovery isn’t about being perfect. It’s about giving your body the consistent support it needs to heal.
Who is this programme for?
PREcovery and Recovery are suitable for people preparing for planned surgery, including:
- Cosmetic surgery
- Body contouring procedures
- Skin removal surgery
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
- Liposuction
- Breast surgery
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Gynaecological procedures
- Bariatric surgery
- Other planned surgical procedures
If you’re unsure whether this programme is suitable for your operation, we’d be happy to discuss your individual circumstances.
What you’ll receive
Every programme is tailored to your individual procedure, medical history and nutritional needs. Support may include:
- A comprehensive nutrition assessment
- Personalised nutrition plan
- Practical meal planning
- PREcovery preparation guidance
- Recovery nutrition strategy
- Supplement review (where appropriate)
- Ongoing support throughout your recovery
- Progress reviews and adjustments
- Access to our PREcovery and Recovery planning resources
Working alongside your surgical team
Our role is to complement, not replace, the care provided by your surgeon and healthcare team.
We work alongside your existing medical care, providing evidence-informed nutritional support throughout your surgical journey.
Any advice relating to fasting, medications, wound care, compression garments or activity restrictions should always follow the guidance of your surgeon or healthcare team.
