Whether it's a knee or hip replacement, tumor removal or anything in between, one process always happens once the surgery is complete: a doctor cleans and closes the incisions they've made. Once that incision is made, your body’s healing process starts. Our bodies are designed to heal any skin and tissue damage that comes our way, if we have the right tools to make it happen. To ensure that your incision heals properly, you'll want to take a closer look not only at appropriate cleaning and care, but also your nutrition. Good nutrition makes the healing process possible, explained Jeff Nelson, PhD, senior research scientist at Abbott specializing in wound healing, and prioritizing certain vitamins and minerals in your diet that are needed for recovery. But how does this work? And what happens to our bodies during surgery recovery? We sat down with Nelson to learn the answers to these questions, as well as how getting the right nutrition can aid incision healing.
How Do Our Bodies Heal Surgical Incision Wounds?
The wounds we sustain after a surgery or an injury that breaks the skin are classified as acute wounds, Nelson explained. A burn is also considered an acute wound. Chronic wounds, alternatively, are those that don’t show improved healing by approximately 30 days, such as pressure injuries or foot ulcers stemming from issues including immobility and diabetes. Often older adults in long-term care facilities experience pressure injuries, also known as bed sores. Chronic wounds can lead to further complications and require additional care.
Nelson shares the perfect analogy for what happens when wounds start to heal: "I think of it as a house on fire." First, as you come out of surgery, the inflammation stage starts. Specialized cells move to the incision site, working to stop the bleeding and mitigate excessive cell damage — just like firefighters rushing to a burning building to quench its flames. Cell proliferation starts about a week later. Here, your body begins "clearing out the rubble," as he explains, and sending materials like collagen to prep the incision site for rebuilding. Around the two-week mark, wounds start to fill in with new tissue so that ultimately the wound can close and new skin can form. It usually takes about a month for acute wounds to close up, and up to a year for the complete recovery depending on the type and extent of the wound.
What Factors Influence Healing After a Surgery?
How quickly and efficiently your body recovers after surgery depends on several factors, from the type and size of incision to your overall health and nutrition status. In general, the larger the wound, the longer the recovery process. And if surgery was performed in the context of a significant tissue injury, such as with burns, car accidents or falls, the healing process may also be longer, explained Nelson. "One of the misconceptions with wound healing is that recovery or healing is going to happen as swiftly as it did when you were younger.” Jeff Nelson, PhD, senior research scientist, Abbott
Age is also a factor. "One of the misconceptions with wound healing is that recovery or healing is going to happen as swiftly as it did when you were younger," he said. But with each passing decade, your body loses some of its ability to recover quickly. This may be exacerbated by certain medications and cardiovascular conditions, as they can limit the flow of blood to the incision — which is essential for healing. Getting enough of the right nutrients is critical when recovering from surgery. Your body needs extra energy from calories as well as nutrients including protein, vitamins, minerals and other immune boosters to generate new tissue.
How to Help Surgical Wound Healing with Nutrition:
Following major surgeries, our bodies require a significant number of calories to support healing, Nelson explained. "The cells for each stage of healing require specific nutrients," he continued. "And if you don't have those nutrients, the cells aren't going to be able to adequately do their job and the healing process can become stalled.” However, your appetite and ability to tolerate foods might be lower during recovery. In addition, a normal diet may not be enough to supply adequate levels of certain nutrients that are essential for the wound healing process. In these scenarios, supplementation is vital to bridge the nutrition gap. Therapeutic nutritional drinks like 100 Daily are specially formulated to provide targeted nutrition for wound healing.
100 Daily contains a blend of nutrients that are major players in the wound healing process, including:
Zinc: This mineral aids in DNA and protein synthesis, immune function and skin integrity.
Vitamins C and E: These antioxidants help the body recover and manage cell damage. Vitamin C helps improve collagen strength, while vitamin E assists in stabilizing cells.
Vitamin B12: This vitamin increases levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin, allowing the body to easily get oxygen and nutrients to the incision site for healing. It also helps spur collagen production.
Quercetin: Due to its unique biological properties, quercetin is often used to boost immunity, lower inflammation, and aid in treating heart disease, infections, and allergies. The major benefit of taking quercetin with zinc is that the quercetin will push the zinc into the center of the cell where the zinc can stop a virus from reproducing.
Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 is better known by the name Coenzyme Q10. It is a substance found in all of the cells within the body. It is used to produce energy your body needs for cell growth and maintenance. CoQ10 is said to help heart failure, muscular dystrophy, and is said to boost energy and speed up recovery for strenuous exercise.
Talk to your doctor before adding anything new to your diet, especially after surgery, and ask if adding 100 Daily would be appropriate for your recovery nutrition plan. 100 Daily should be used in addition to an already nutrient-rich diet that includes foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats and dairy.