Protein often comes up when you're trying to figure out what to eat after surgery. You may hear that protein helps with healing, see recommendations for protein shakes, or wonder whether you need to dramatically increase how much you're eating.
Protein is important during recovery because your body uses it to repair tissue and maintain muscle. But there isn't one protein target that's right for every person or every surgery.
For most patients, the practical goal is to include protein regularly as you return to eating, while following any specific nutrition instructions from your surgical team.
Your body needs protein all the time, but recovery places additional demands on it.
Protein provides amino acids your body uses to build and repair tissue. It also helps maintain muscle while you may be less active than usual.
That doesn't mean eating huge amounts of protein will make you heal dramatically faster. Recovery depends on many factors, including your procedure, overall health, sleep, activity, nutrition, and how well your body is healing.
Think of protein as one part of supporting recovery, rather than a shortcut to faster healing.
There isn't one universal amount of protein everyone should eat after surgery.
Your individual needs can depend on:
Some patients may be given a specific daily protein target by their surgeon, dietitian, or other healthcare professional. If you were, follow that recommendation.
If you weren't given a target, you generally don't need to start calculating every gram on your own. Instead, focus on regularly including protein-containing foods as you return to your normal eating pattern.
For a broader look at recovery nutrition, see What Should I Eat After Surgery?
There are many ways to add protein to meals and snacks.
Depending on your diet and what you tolerate, options can include:
You don't need to eat all of these. Choose foods that fit your normal diet, your appetite, and any instructions you've been given after your procedure.
Getting enough protein can be harder when you're simply not hungry.
A low appetite after surgery can happen for several reasons, including anesthesia, medications, pain, nausea, constipation, and the stress of surgery itself.
If full meals feel overwhelming, smaller meals or snacks may be easier. You might also find it manageable to add protein to foods you're already eating — for example, yogurt with breakfast, an egg with toast, nut butter with a snack, or some chicken in soup.
You don't have to make up for a poor appetite by forcing yourself through a large high-protein meal.
Focus on what you can tolerate and gradually increase your intake as your appetite returns.
Not necessarily.
Protein shakes can be a convenient source of protein, particularly if you're having trouble eating enough solid food. But many people can get adequate protein from regular food as their normal eating returns.
Protein drinks can also vary considerably in their ingredients, calories, sugar, vitamins, minerals, and amount of protein.
If your surgical team specifically recommended a particular nutrition or protein drink, follow those instructions. Otherwise, a protein shake is an option rather than an automatic requirement.
No.
Protein is important, but recovery nutrition isn't simply a matter of eating as much protein as possible.
Your body also needs enough overall food, fluids, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Eating a balanced variety of foods as you're able is generally more useful than focusing on a single nutrient.
Some medical conditions can also affect how much protein is appropriate for you. If you've been told to limit protein or follow a special diet, don't increase your intake without discussing it with your healthcare team.
You don't need to force meat, shakes, or another protein-rich food when you're feeling sick.
If you're dealing with nausea and eating after surgery, start with what you can tolerate and follow your surgical team's diet instructions. Smaller portions may be easier than a full meal.
As nausea improves, you can gradually add more protein-containing foods back into your meals and snacks.
The immediate priority may sometimes be simply being able to drink and tolerate food at all.
Your body uses protein as part of the tissue-repair process, so adequate nutrition supports normal wound healing.
But protein isn't the only factor that determines how quickly an incision heals.
The type of procedure, wound itself, blood flow, medical conditions, smoking, infection, activity, and many other factors can affect healing.
If you're concerned that your incision isn't healing normally, don't try to solve the problem by simply eating more protein. Contact your surgical team so they can evaluate what's happening.
You may want more individualized guidance if:
Your surgeon may also recommend working with a dietitian or another healthcare professional when more detailed nutrition support would be helpful.
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Protein is an important part of recovery because your body uses it to repair tissue and maintain muscle, but you don't need to turn recovery into a protein-counting project unless your healthcare team has given you a specific target.
As you're able to eat more normally, try to include protein-containing foods regularly alongside the rest of a balanced diet.
If your appetite is poor, nausea is making it difficult to eat, or you've been given special nutrition instructions, focus on what you can tolerate and ask your surgical team for guidance when needed.
Recovery doesn't always happen in a straight line. The free SurgiNav Surgery Recovery Roadmap walks you through the stages of healing so you know what to expect and when to reach out to your care team.
Download the Free Surgery Recovery RoadmapThis article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always follow the instructions provided by your healthcare team.
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Educational information only. Always follow your surgeon's instructions.