December 26, 2025
Nutrition directly affects how the body responds to surgical stress. Incisions heal through a coordinated process that relies on adequate calories, protein, and micronutrients to build new tissue, support immune function, and reduce infection risk. Even when patients feel generally “healthy,” pre-existing nutrient gaps can show up during recovery, especially after procedures that involve longer incisions or larger treatment areas.
For that reason, nutrition is not an afterthought. It is part of surgical planning, particularly for patients undergoing body contouring after major weight loss, where deficiencies are more common depending on the method of weight loss and long-term intake patterns.
Protein is having a moment in the health world, and in surgical recovery, the attention is warranted. Beyond muscle building, protein supplies amino acids needed to create collagen, support blood vessel formation, and rebuild tissue at incision sites. It also plays a central role in immune function, which matters when the body is managing inflammation and defending against infection.
Our very own board-certified surgeons Dr. Ahmad, Dr. Austin and Dr. Lista have contributed to the literature on this topic. In one review of patients undergoing body contouring procedures, those who used protein supplementation prior to surgery experienced fewer wound-healing complications than those who did not. The proposed mechanism is straightforward: when protein availability is inadequate, the body has fewer building blocks for the cells and structures that repair damaged skin and soft tissue
Because of this, protein supplementation is now commonly recommended for many patients preparing for body contouring, particularly after major weight loss. In these cases, nutritional deficiencies are more likely and have been associated with delayed healing and higher complication risk. The goal is not “more is better,” but rather “enough to heal well,” based on your procedure, medical profile, and surgeon’s guidance.
| Paper | “The Impact of Protein Nutritional Supplementation for Massive Weight Loss Patients Undergoing Abdominoplasty” (Austin, Lista, Khan, Ahmad) |
|---|---|
| Patient Group | Post-bariatric massive weight loss patients undergoing abdominoplasty |
| Study Design | Retrospective review comparing a supplemented group with a historical control group (23 vs 23) |
| Supplement Protocol | 80 g/day protein supplementation for 4 weeks before surgery and 4 weeks after surgery (8 weeks total) |
| Main Outcome Tracked | Wound-healing complications (including delayed healing) |
| Key Finding | Wound-healing complications were lower in the supplemented group: 0.0% vs 21.8% (p = 0.04) |
| Additional Notes | Other complications were also tracked; the authors reported no significant differences for several of those outcomes. |
Note: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and publication of this article. The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and publication of this article. |
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Vitamins support recovery through several pathways, including tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and immune defense. That said, supplementation is not automatically beneficial in high doses, and some products can interfere with surgical safety. This is why timing and dosing should be reviewed with your surgical team.
Supports skin cell growth and tissue repair. It is also associated with topical retinoids, though oral intake comes from foods like eggs and liver, and from provitamin A carotenoids in dark green and orange produce.
Supports collagen production and strengthens connective tissue, which is directly relevant to incision healing. It is found in many fruits and vegetables, including citrus.
Plays a meaningful role in immune regulation. It is less about direct wound closure and more about supporting the body’s infection defense, which becomes relevant during surgical recovery. Many Canadians are deficient, particularly in lower-sunlight months.
Functions as an antioxidant, but it can have blood-thinning effects at higher doses. For some patients, that can be counterproductive around surgery. Do not assume it is “safe” simply because it is common.
Nutrition guidance should match the procedure and the patient. Body contouring after massive weight loss is a clear example, because incisions are often longer and tissue demands are higher. In these cases, the goal is to support healing capacity before surgery begins, not scramble once complications appear.
In consultation, the surgical team can advise on what matters most for your specific plan, including whether supplementation is appropriate, what to avoid, and how to support recovery without overcorrecting.
A strong recovery plan includes more than rest and wound care. It also includes basic nutrition fundamentals that support healing: adequate protein, consistent hydration, and targeted micronutrients when indicated. If you are preparing for surgery, or if you have a history that increases deficiency risk (including major weight loss), bring this up early so your plan can be tailored appropriately.
As always, follow your surgeon’s guidance and disclose all supplements you are taking before surgery.
Did we answer all your questions? Our goal is to ensure you have the best information possible to make your decision. If you still have questions, we’re here to help.
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