Nutrition and Surgery

Dietary nutrients provide structural materials to build and replace tissue components, supply energy to support cell growth and function, and provide building blocks for synthesis of regulatory messengers to control these processes. Inadequate nutrient intake or depleted reserves of energy, protein, and other nutrients create the risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition can cause measurable adverse effects on the body’s form and function and on clinical outcome. Good nutrition is essential during periods of rapid tissue growth like that which occurs following surgical procedures. A healthy nutritional status is also critical for pre-surgical patients before hospitalization.

Good nutrition and good health go hand in hand. A complete and balanced diet supports metabolism, maintaining an appropriate balance between anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism occurs on a continuous basis and predominates during intervals of rapid growth and healing, so higher-than-usual levels of nutrients are needed to support these processes. During illness or when traumatic injuries occur, catabolism predominates. In order to fully recover from such illness and injury, anabolic processes must take over. If additional nutrients are not or cannot be consumed, loss of weight and lean body mass will occur.

Complete and balanced nutrition is essential to:

• Support the proper balance between anabolism and catabolism
• Support immune function
• Replace body tissues as needed
• Support physical activity and quality of life

Learn more about the importance of nutrition during illness