In this video, hear from Dr Martyn Robertson, Consultant Anaesthetist, about the importance of eating well before you come into hospital for your operation.
Relax
We know that having surgery can be a worrying time and you may have lots of questions. It’s important in the lead up to your operation that you take time to reduce stress and stay calm to help your mind and body prepare. Try to remain as relaxed as possible, our staff are very friendly and will help put you at ease on the day.
Being stressed or anxious about your surgery could mean that you need to stay in hospital longer and you are more at risk of complications or having to come back into hospital later on. There are lots of resources available to help you to relax, from making changes to your routine, increasing the amount of sleep you are having, to trying out meditation.
If you have any questions about your operation please speak to your consultant or the pre-assessment team and they will be happy to help. You’ll also find lots of information on our Next Steps page about what to expect when you come into hospital.
Resources
- 5 steps to mental wellbeing – Trying these steps could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.
- 10 stress busters – Read about how to identify and manage stress.
- I’m finding it hard to sleep – find out why sleep is so important, the effects of lack of sleep and what you can do to sleep better.
- Sleep and tiredness – advice on why you might be tired all the time, and when to get support.
Breathing Exercises
Throughout your surgery, one of our anaesthetists will look after your breathing while you are asleep. You can help them, by practicing deep breathing exercises before your operation to help lower the risk of developing a chest infection after your surgery. You can do this by taking a deep breath in, holding it for three seconds and then breathing out. The exercises will also help to open up your airways and move phlegm.
To deep breathe correctly, you must use your abdominal muscles, as well as your chest muscles.
- Breathe in through your nose as deeply as possible.
- Hold your breath for five to 10 seconds.
- Let your breath out through your mouth, slowly and completely. As you breathe with pursed lips (like blowing out a candle), your stomach should be going in. Exhale twice as long as you inhale.
- Rest and then repeat these steps
Eat Well
As you begin moving more, it’s really important that you are eating healthy foods that fuel your body. Healthy eating is about more than just managing your weight, it’s about eating a balanced diet and a variety of foods including wholegrain carbohydrates, lean sources of protein and plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Improving your nutrition
As you plan for your surgery, it’s important that you’re eating lots of different foods that give your body the energy and nutrients that it needs to recover more quickly and keep you in good health for longer. Aim to eat a healthy balanced diet. This will help give your body the extra energy it needs after the operation to heal your wound and prevent infection.
If you have lost your appetite and lost weight, you may find that eating small amounts more often is better for you. You can also see your GP who may prescribe nutritional supplement drinks. We know that patients who are malnourished or underweight have poorer surgical outcomes and stay longer in hospital so it is really important to get support with improving your nutrition before your operation.
Resources
- Cook Well – One You Leeds – Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food in Leeds courses are hands-on, practical, fun and friendly.
- Eat Better – One You Leeds – support with eating a healthy, balanced diet.
- Eat well – information about how to eat a balanced diet, understanding food guidelines and food labels and digestive health.
Healthy Lifestyles Programme for learning disabled and autistic adults
The Healthy Lifestyles Programme for learning disabled and autistic adults is a free 12 week course. It will help you eat a more healthy diet, be more active and manage your weight.
To find out more about it, please email [email protected] or telephone 07741556790.
Managing your weight
If you’re overweight, losing weight has many health benefits. Making small, simple changes to what and how much you are eating and drinking can really help.
Patients who are overweight and obese are at higher risk of complications from their surgery. This means the operation may take longer and you are more likely to have wound infections or need another operation if you do not recover well.
You may have heard of BMI (body mass index), which is a way to measure whether you are at a healthy weight for your age and height. The higher your BMI, the higher your chance of there being complications from your operation.
Resources
- Active Leeds for Health – support from health & wellbeing coaches – complete a self referral form
- Am I a healthy weight? – find out if you’re a healthy weight for your height, by working out your body mass index (BMI).
- Try Club – a free 12-week weight management programme developed in partnership with Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Public Health Leeds. The sessions are both classroom and pitch based to support you to make and maintain healthier choices.
Need some support?
We’re working with the friendly One You Leeds team, who are available to provide support and guidance to help you eat well before and after your operation. Making healthy lifestyle changes can be challenging but the One You Leeds health and wellbeing coaches can help to make to it easier by supporting you to set goals, track your eating habits, and move more. Although the Eat Better programme can support you to lose weight, you do not need to be overweight to access this service.
Sign up to One You Leeds