Since the aim is to reduce stomach acid before the surgery, the food intake of adults or children is restricted and they are made to remain hungry. In this way, vomiting that may occur due to anesthesia during the surgery and the possibility of food in the stomach leaking into the lungs and causing aspiration are eliminated. At the same time, the reason for the complete cessation of liquids and solids is the urinary and stool problems that may occur with anesthesia. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists; Solid food intake should be stopped about 6 hours before the surgery, and clear liquid intake should be stopped 2 hours before the surgery, and this intervention is sufficient for the anesthesia process. However, in our country, the rule of fasting for 8-12 hours before surgery is valid. Generally, the rule that no food or drink should be consumed after 12 at night is still used. What we are talking about here are the principles adopted for the day just before the surgery. However, preoperative nutrition covers the last 3 days or the last 3-6 months, depending on the nutritional status of the person.
In the preoperative period, the first nutritional goal is to evaluate the malnutrition that may have existed in the patient before, other goals are; If there is malnutrition, it is to treat it to optimize the surgical process, minimize hunger, prevent malnutrition before surgery, and support anabolism for recovery. In fact, the malnutrition status of all patients who will undergo surgery should be checked and evaluated.
One of the reasons why pre-operative nutrition is so important is the concept called surgical stress, and this concept occurs in the person who will undergo surgery before the surgery. Nutritional clinical consequences of the surgical stress response include hyperglycemia and whole-body protein catabolism. Nutrition is very important in preventing and reducing catabolism. In order to prevent this situation in this process, protein, carbohydrate and fat intake must be increased at certain rates.
Insufficient nutrition in the preoperative period causes disruption of the healing process, wound healing and immune system in the postoperative period. For this reason, if a person has insufficient nutritional intake before any surgery, he/she must first receive nutritional treatment and then the surgery process should take place. Especially protein Not being adequately nourished in terms of n will have a very negative effect on the weakening of the muscles and the recovery process in the post-operative period.
In summary, in terms of metabolic and nutrition, in the latest compilations regarding pre-operative nutrition in the clinic; The patient must not have any deficiencies in general nutritional status, and if so, this condition must be treated before surgery. Hunger and thirst should not occur longer than the specified periods before surgery. Due to the increase in stress, the nutritional content that should normally be taken needs to be increased slightly. Protein intake needs to be increased at certain rates.
I would like to give some individual nutrition advice about the pre-operative period;
Low-calorie diets should not be followed before the surgery. This will slow down your recovery process in the post-operative period. If your doctor says that you must lose weight before the surgery, you should definitely manage the process with a dietitian.
In the pre-operative period, attention should be paid to fluid consumption and the person should be ensured to consume fluids at ideal rates according to his/her weight.
In the pre-operative period, I recommend that people with nutritional deficiencies increase the consumption of animal protein sources such as eggs, red meat, chicken, cheese and fish at certain rates for 1 week before surgery. In summary, I can say that in order to avoid intestinal problems, milk should be consumed as ayran or yoghurt, not as milk, and dried legumes should not be preferred in this process.
Also, remember that foods rich in vitamin K have a blood-thinning effect and their consumption should be restricted in the last 3 days before surgery. If we look at foods rich in vitamin K; I can especially say greens, nuts, fruits such as strawberries-kiwi-blackberries, and vegetables such as broccoli-cauliflower-asparagus. In addition, the blood-thinning properties of echinacea tea, cranberry fruit and clove should not be forgotten.
I would also like to make a few more suggestions for pre-surgery, apart from nutrition;
It will be easier for people who smoke before the surgery to reduce their smoking. will help make an impact. surgery Alcohol should not be consumed for a few days beforehand. Alcohol has negative effects on the liver. Especially after major surgeries, the liver needs to work at full capacity, alcohol consumption prevents this. Sleep before surgery is also very important to speed up the recovery process after surgery. Especially before major surgeries, at least 8 hours of sleep is recommended for a few nights.
If we talk about edema, which is the second part of our article; Edema occurs due to fluid leakage from the capillaries in the body. The leaked fluid accumulates in the tissues around the vein and causes swelling. Edema can develop in almost any part of the body. In addition, in some disease states and periods such as pregnancy, edema problems may develop in the body due to the effect of post-operative anesthesia. Additionally, body edema may increase in some processes such as hot weather, long journeys, and the pre-menstrual period.
First of all, I would like to say that the best and easiest way to get rid of the edema in the body is to drink water.
A little theoretical. If we look at the part; The electrolytes of intracellular and extracellular fluids are different from each other. Electrolytes that cause edema are formed by extracellular fluids. The main cation of the extracellular fluid is sodium and the main anion is chlorine. The cation of intracellular fluids is potassium, and the main anion is phosphates.
Foods containing high sodium cause edema in the body. Table salt contains sodium and chlorine minerals. Therefore, salt-containing foods such as ready-made foods, pickles, pickled cheese and olives should not be consumed when there is a complaint of edema, and excess salt should be avoided.
Aiming to reduce excess extracellular fluid by increasing intracellular fluid is one of the other principles for removing edema. Therefore, when edema develops, it is rich in potassium; Foods such as vegetables such as banana, kiwi, potato, garlic and dairy products help retain water in the cells and prevent edema formation.
Parsley is generally one of the most edema-relieving foods, the main reasons for this are its diuretic properties and high potassium content. . If you do not have any kidney disease or pregnancy, you can consume about half a bunch of parsley on days when you feel edema. This way, we get plenty of vitamin C into the body.
Bi Let's talk about hibicus here; It is rich in antioxidants and has high potassium content. It helps reduce blood pressure and eliminate body edema. 1-2 cups a day can be consumed by healthy adults. It should not be consumed by people with chronic diseases (especially thyroid patients), oncological diseases, lactating women and pregnant women without obtaining expert opinion.
Yoghurt, especially among dairy products, will help relieve edema due to its low sodium content, high potassium content and the probiotics and prebiotics it contains. Consuming 2 glasses of water a day as yoghurt or unsalted ayran will support this process.
There are studies showing that magnesium supports the removal of extracellular fluids. If I have to mention one of these studies, high consumption of foods with high magnesium content supported the decrease in body edema in women with premenstrual syndrome. During periods when we have payment problems; Foods such as oilseeds (almonds, hazelnuts..), kiwi, avocado, spinach, artichoke should be included more frequently in the diet.
Again, there are studies showing that vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supports the excretion of extracellular fluids. If I have to mention one of these studies, high consumption of foods with high vitamin B6 content in women with premenstrual syndrome, as in magnesium, supported the decrease in body edema. During the period when edema problems occur, consumption of whole grains, fish/seafood and eggs should be supported.
One of the important fruits with edema-relieving content is pineapple. Pineapple contains bromelain. This supports the removal of edema in the body. Bromelain is mostly found in the hard cylindrical structure located just under and in the middle of the pineapple's peel. During the period when we feel high edema, we can choose pineapple as our daily fruit, and we can also support the process by consuming 1-2 cups of tea made with pineapple peel a day.
When it comes to relieving edema, I finally wanted to mention green tea, it is both rich in polyphenols and good for health. Green tea, which is a diuretic, can be preferred for healthy adults by consuming 2 cups of green tea a day during periods when edema is felt. People with chronic diseases (especially high blood pressure) It is not recommended to be consumed by patients), oncological diseases, lactating women and pregnant women.
Also, if we say that I have edema, what should we stay away from except salt? Alcohol consumption increases fluid retention in the body, so alcohol should be avoided on days when edema is felt. Coffee, due to its caffeine content, and tea, due to its theine content, are beverages whose consumption should be restricted when the edema intensity in the body is high. Additionally, foods containing white flour and refined sugar, such as white bread, promote edema, so they are foods that should be avoided when the edema rate is high.
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