After you’ve made it through a safe and successful surgery, you should be happy and proud. However, you still need to go through the process of healing and recovery. That may require extra work to get you back feeling much better. One of the most issues that occurs after a surgery is loss of appetite. In this article, you will learn how to improve your appetite after surgery.
Loss of appetite often occurs after surgery. It may be because of the medications you took during the surgery. These medications can affect your digestive system, and leave you feeling nauseous, without much of an appetite
It is not good and advisable to quit eating during this period. Your body needs protein in order to heal faster. In order to prevent infections, your body needs good nutrition. Patients who eat well heal faster and shorten their stay in the hospital.
Being aware of how important nutritious foods is during the recuperating period, researchers from Australia looked into the time frame of loss of appetite among patients.
According to the findings they published in the Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 2016, the medium time for appetite to return was four weeks among patients who had either a knee or hip replacement.
However, if a loss of appetite persists after six weeks, the researchers recommended investigations check if there is an underlying problem.
When time elapses, and you don’t regain your appetite, it will be good to consider trying these six recommended ways, which will help boost your appetite.
How To Improve Your Appetite After A Surgery
How To Improve Your Appetite After Surgery
Improving your appetite after surgery simply involves doing some things that will boost your metabolism and make you want to eat more. Let’s find the out.
1. Go beyond the three square meals a day
Instead of eating three large meals a, It’s better to eat smaller meals several times a day than to eat three large meals. During breakfast, if you can eat a piece of toast, go with that but then try to have some yogurt and also try to eat fruits a few hours after having your breakfast. You can also eat healthy, delicious snacks throughout the day. Make sure to increase the size of the meal you eat as your appetite grows.
2. Eat foods that are nutritious
Make sure every bite counts. People having issues with loss of appetite often have the notion that ”something is better than none” Eating things with empty calories like potato chips and candies does not deliver good nutrients. Go for protein-rich foods, healthy fats, and nutritious whole grains.
3. Include some fun when eating
To make it easier, eat with friends or family members or while watching television. Your mind is not focused on the food when you are talking or watching television. Studies reveal that eating with someone can maximize your food consumption by 18 percent, and eating when you are watching movies, or television shows can increase your food consumption by 14 percent.
4. Set a specific time to take your meal
Set a timer or reminder, or check the clock to schedule three meals a day. Always take breakfast. Breakfast is very important because it gets your body calories, which can advantageously increase your appetite. You don’t always have to consume big meals. Whenever you feel hungry, eat as much as you can eat even if you’re used to eating a little amount at that time.
5. Always take nutritious beverage
Always try drinking a nutritious beverage. Make sure to avoid drinking water or other beverages before you eat any meal. Drinking before eating can disadvantageously reduce your appetite. Whenever you want to eat, don’t drink anything for about 30 minutes before eating to check if it improves your appetite.
6. Eat your favorite foods
If you don’t like eating beans, don’t suddenly begin to like beans just because they’re good for your health. When you are trying to increase your appetite, start with the foods you enjoy. If what you like eating is a fast-food hamburger, then try combining it with some healthier sides. Eat to your satisfaction even if it means eating the same food two times in one a day, it will surely help increase and improve your appetite and restore your healthy eating.
7. Drink loads of water
Most times post-surgery nausea is often caused or aggravated by dehydration. Thus you need to stay hydrated with clear liquids, as it can be especially helpful and may help boost your appetite after surgery.
Bottom Line
Loss of appetite is a common issue that comes after a surgery. The points discussed in this article tells you how to improve your appetite after surgery. However, you need to consult your doctor to help you decide on the steps you take to gradually improve your appetite after a surgery.
