Breast Reconstruction Post-Op Protein Requirements.

Proper nutrition should be an important part of everyone's daily life. Both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery place an increased metabolic demand on the body. It is important both pre-operatively and post-operatively to ensure adequate protein intake before and after surgery. Frequently nutrition comes up in consultations, so I have included below a standard post-operative diet protocol as well as an easy method for patients to understand the amount of protein they will need post operatively.

The post-operative diet below is for tissue expander/implant reconstruction. It is modified for TRAM, DIEP, and SIEA reconstructions.

Post-Operative Breast Reconstruction Diet Protocol Pathway

Post-Op Day 0

Clear Liquid Diet as Tolerated.

Post-Op Day 1

Regular Diet. Ensure 1 can three times per day between meals.

Post-Op Day 2

Regular Diet. Ensure 1 can three times per day between meals.

Discharge Diet:

Breast reconstruction surgery is very energy consuming to the body. There is also protein loss from drain output. It is important to maintain a high protein diet for two to three weeks post-operatively to maximize healing.

Regular Diet high in protein + Ensure three times/day between meals.

Goal is to eat 1 gram of protein per kg of bodyweight:

For example, if your body weight is 140 lbs, then your weight in kg is 140/2.2 or 63 kg. Therefore, patient with normal renal and liver function should eat at least 63 grams of protein per day.

Ensure 1 can: 9 grams of protein
Glucerna 1 can : 10 grams of protein

Therefore, three cans give you 30 grams of protein.

1 can of tunafish contains approximately 25 grams of protein.

or

1 chicken breast contains approximately 30 grams of protein.