weird, i had surgery today.

I just scheduled eye surgery, and my doc told me to stock up on things with lots of vitamin C!

I had surgery a couple of months ago on a broken bone and I ate quinoa like there was no tomorrow.

Two things: 1. 1000 mg Vitamin C, 150 mg pantothenic acid (or a large B vitamin), 400 iu vitamin E. These were recommended by an orthopedic surgeon to lessen inflammation. You can take this dose more than once a day too. It really works.

2. Avoid meat and milk.

This is really something to be discussed with a doctor, and I only say that because I am sitting with my father here in a hospital as he recovers from surgery. We're meeting with a dietician because he already has special diet needs; not sure what Jenna's situation is.

I guess it depends on what type of surgery too, I had all four wisdom teeth out last year under anaesthetic and this white velvet soup from green kitchen stories worked a treat – nourishing, full of protein, fibre, vitamins and it’s anti-inflammatory http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/white-velvet-soup-a-la-my-new-roots/
Oh yes, and delicious!!

I also agree with the editor, healthy whole foods that make you feel good plus a treat like dark chocolate thrown in for good measure! xx

If you're going to be rebuilding muscle, cartilage, and other innards I'd say meat. If you don't have any digestive issues as a result of the surgery (can't eat solids, or can't poo) then most defiantly meat. One of the easiest things to digest and has all of the things needed to rebuild your body.

Also, no grain /low carbohydrate (like 100-150 grams/day) both of these will cause an increased blood sugar level which will increase insulin levels. Insulin is a pro inflammatory hormone that will make your recovery longer.

After my motorcycle accident last year, breaking both bones in my wrist, I needed a plate. @adameran posted the same advice I got - a ludicrously huge dose of vitamin C (the esterized kind, like Ester-C) along with E and A apparently has been shown in clinical studies to significantly reduce post-recovery (long-term) pain and complications.

I'm so sorry to hear about you accident.

Since you will be healing, you need to give your body a rest from digestion. Digestion take A LOT of energy and if you eat "easy" food, your body can work on healing.

Turmeric is great for inflammation. Probiotics will help keep your immune system balanced. Things that will slow down healing and increase inflammation is dairy and any kind of grains.

Drink and eat warm foods...they are easier to digest (this is why women who have just had babies in many countries are feed soups and tea etc).

A bone marrow broth (the real deal, not canned) will do you very well if you eat meat already. There is a lot of healing properties in bone marrow.

Garlic and ginger are great for the blood, keeping it fluid and healthy.

Lots of veggies and broth! Eggs are great too, lots of B vitamins good for cell repair! Good luck.

turmeric and ginger are awesome for anti-inflammation

I assume you'll be on antibiotics, so make sure you get some good probiotics in you (kimchi, yogurt, kefir, or if you can't have dairy, go with a good supplement). Antibiotics are generally stupid in that they kill off good bacteria as well as bad. My GI system was depleted of good bacteria after several rounds of antibiotics, then repopulated with some horrible bad bacteria that has become resistant to everything, and it's safe to say the resulting condition has pretty much ruined my life (I won't go into details).

I was going to suggest turmeric as well :)

You could ask your doctor for recommendations (it's really not the same case here, but I was surprise to hear the dentist say to my boyfriend, post-bad-bad tooth infection that led to a root canal, to eat a lot of (healthy) fats).

I wish you prompt healing and all the best.

I was surprised*

I'm sorry to hear about your accident and the need for surgery. Intuitively, I would recommend your favorite comfort foods, they will naturally make you feel better. Hoping that you have someone to help you with meals and happy healing to you.

if you are getting anesthetized, you may be very nauseas for the first 24-48 hours. I would stick with very simple meal ideas.. soups, toast.. things easy on the tummy. Eating healthy, whole foods is always the best medicine; it just generally helps boost the immune system.

Not food related, and your doctor will know best, ask about taking Arnica. Natural 'aspirin-like' homeopathic supplement that helps with would healing, less bruising and inflammation.

Good luck!

As soon as you are off your antibiotics, consider eating some greek yogurt as part of your diet. It's delicious with fruit and walnuts or flax and it's easily digested. The live cultures will help re-populate your gut with friendly bacteria that can be stripped away by the antibiotics. You could also take a supplement like Bio-K, which is great, too, but more of a little daily drink than a food. Most of the time doctors will tell you to wait until you're done with your antibiotics in case it counteracts anything.

Avoid sugar or refined carbs since they can delay your recovery by causing inflammation and giving bacteria something to thrive on.

Soups are great and you don't have to make them yourself; a lot of great soup mixes are really easy to put together and add whatever you want to.

And I wish you a good surgery and as healthy and quick recovery as possible!

Thanks so much to everyone who shared their knowledge with me today! I am home from surgery and just supplement my recovery as naturally as possible - and what better way than the power of food!

I picked up some arnica at Whole Foods and lots of zinc - making lots of smoothies!

You all are the best community ever!

I drank a lot of lemon water (just seltzer with lemon juice mixed in) after surgery. Hydration is important while your body's healing, and supposedly the lemon juice acts as a mild diuretic to reduce swelling. Good luck to you!

A few years ago I had to have a lot of oral surgery. The first one got infected and had to be redone so I talked to my surgeon and he told me to eat lots of high vitamin C fruits. I know it's said here already.
Anyway, I ate tons of tomatoes, lots of garlic and potatoes. I healed very fast with the next surgery and didn't have any more problems.

Citrus fruit! When I was preg, I had a huge grapefruit craving. I ended up needed a C-section, which healed werewolf fast. My doc is convinced it was all that vitamin C. So I'd suggest a Netflix marathon and a bowl of clementines.

i underwent knee surgery this year (also 27, but due to a skiing injury) and here are some of my reflections:

- you will be shocked by your tiredness, so foods that are high in protein and energy sustainers are good
- the pain meds will most likely cause digestion issues, so eat when you can, not just at meal times and be ready to have periods of nausea as the general aesthetic leaves your system
- herbal teas were good for keeping up hydration, lots of fluids to help flush the system of everything it's processing post surgery, the body is trying to rid itself of the medication and all the stuff they give you at the hospital
- juices/smoothies are good when you're feeling fragile
- i pre-prepared and froze a number of meals ahead, including slowcooker ingredients which just needed some final additions, these proved hugely helpful when i didn't feel like being in the kitchen or on my feet
- and when in doubt, fix it with a hearty spag bol - it's got a lot of what you need without being terribly taxing on your system.

best wishes with the healing process, be gentle with yourself, it will seem to take forever in the moment, patience and netflix are your friends!

gelatin!! it is so good for bones and cartilage! just get a can of plain stuff and sprinkle it on food, in beverages and smoothies, in soups, anywhere you possibly can! it's tasteless and oh so very healthy. especially when your body is rebuilding itself.

I'm recovering from my 2nd surgery in 6 months. I would say PROTEIN, but good protein like greek yogurt, kefir since they are great sources and easy to add into smoothies if you don't care for the tangy taste (which I happen to love). I am eating LOTS of mashed sweet potatoes, whole foods, tons of fruits and veggies and greens. I'd limit lots of dairy and heavy meat/animal products. Whole grains like oatmeal are great. Swirl in some peanut butter for added protein.

Also, get Vitamin C powder and take 1,000mg a day in a glass of water. This is great to keep you from getting sick even when you haven't had surgery.

And, the other commenter is right, recovery is so tiring! Rest rest rest! Water water water! And good wholesome foods. Oh, eggs with mashed avocado is delicious and super for protein and good fats.

I second the editor's suggestion. I don't think you need any special food to recover. It's obvious you need to eat healthy, wholesome food, but I don't think that eating lots of proteins in the short term would have any significant bone or muscle building benefit. People tend to forget that there is nothing extraordinary about superfoods. Most food has health benefits, but you only get that in the long run. In that sense, most food is superfood. A steady, balanced diet is key, for healthy and sick people alike.

Just eat whatever you enjoy, and make sure your diet is balanced. Your body will take care of the rest. Don't underestimate your body's ability to recover on its own.

You might want to ensure you stay regular since you will probably have less exercise for a short period of time. I like half a glass of carrot juice each morning. It doesn't give you the runs like prune juice but it does keep you regular. Just don't overdo it - vitamin A overdoses can cause serious health issues.

If1hadwords, I am not so sure gelatin is healthy. As far as I know, it is downright bad for you. I have read nutritionists saying it is best to avoid any food that contains gelatin. Don't forget that eating a bone and cartilage byproduct doesn't mean you will build bones and cartilage. I wouldn't eat hair hoping more will grow on my head...

I'm a little late her but wanted to chime in! So sorry to hear about your surgery. I had a type of major surgery a year and a half ago that didn't have such a good success rate. I'm also a librarian with access to medical journals and an obsessive researcher, so I researched the heck out of the question of what foods best support healing to help increase my chances. One big thing I found confirmed in many places is the need for protein until healed. Protein helps internal and external tissue repair, and there is some concern that lack of protein may be a significant cause of slow post-surgical healing. For a very user-friendly discussion, the Today Show did a question segment that addressed it (there are plenty more sources out there if you search though):

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/46717403/#46717403

Other than that, nutrient dense foods are always good because your body needs vitamins and minerals to rebuild. Avoid sugar as much as possible as it depresses your immune system.

Of course, my surgery was different than yours. It's always a good idea to check with your doctor, though in my experience many are completely ignorant about the role diet plays in healing or dismiss it as only a minor player. Doesn't hurt to discuss it though. I hope you feel better soon!