The recovery from breast cancer surgery can be both physically and emotionally exhausting for Los Angeles County patients. There are some side effects of this surgery, such as nausea and vomiting, as well as the physical recovery that patients must endure. In addition to coping with the recovery process, Glendora patients also are concerned with the recurrence of cancer in their body and living a cancer-free life in the future.
While many patients have these same feelings and concerns, some do not realize that diet plays an important role in combating the physical side effects of the surgery itself as well as helping the patient to live a healthy life into the future.
What Diet is Recommended After the Breast Cancer Surgery?
Many times patients feel nauseous in the days and weeks after their breast surgery, especially if they are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the same time. Good dietary choices to help combat nausea include chicken soup or vegetable broth soup, as well as liquid protein drinks. It is recommended that patients enjoy several light meals throughout the day, rather than three large and full meals at the traditional times.
In order to expedite the healing process after the surgery as well as help your body heal from the cancer, patients should enjoy a protein-packed diet. There are many ways to sneak protein into your diet throughout the day. If you are having potatoes for dinner, put some shredded cheese on top. Enjoy protein-filled snacks throughout the day, such as almonds or peanut butter crackers.
If none of those things sound appetizing to you, simply add some protein powder to your meals in order to get the protein that your body needs in order to heal as quickly and effectively as possible.
Looking to the future, you also can alter your diet in order to help prevent cancer from recurring in the years to come. Recent research has found that phytochemicals may help fight and prevent cancer, and phytochemicals can be found in some of the foods we enjoy. Soy products are a great way to get phytochemicals.
Certain vegetables contain phytochemicals such as antioxidants, beta-carotene and lycopene. Add carrots, tomatoes and blueberries to your diet in order to help yourself feel well in the present and remain healthy for the months and years that are to come.
It is important to discuss your individual dietary choices with your general surgeon prior to the surgery, and get recommendations for how you should change your diet after the operation is complete. Your surgeon will evaluate your current lifestyle and your medical history in order to help you create a diet that works well for you and your body.
The most important thing to remember is that your diet does impact the way you feel on a daily basis, so you will want to make good choices now and after your breast cancer surgery procedure in order to feel your best.
