Surgery support through nutrition

Meagan Atcheson educates us on how to prepare the body for healing after surgery through nourishment.

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

A strong foundation for recovery

For many people living with cancer, surgery is an important part of treatment. Whether it’s to remove a tumour, take a biopsy, or help relieve symptoms, surgery places extra stress on the body both physically and emotionally.

What you may not realise, however, is that nutrition can make a powerful difference in how well you recover. 

When you nourish your body with the right nutrients before and after surgery, you give it the tools it needs to fight infection, repair tissue, and regain strength more quickly. This approach, called peri-operative nutrition, is fast becoming an essential part of cancer care.

Why nutrition matters before and after surgery

During cancer and its treatments, your body’s nutritional needs are higher than usual. Muscle breakdown increases, inflammation rises, and appetite can drop; all of which can make it harder to heal after surgery.

Malnutrition, or simply not getting enough of the right nutrients, can delay wound healing, increase infection risk, and extend recovery time.

By improving your nutrition before surgery and continuing to support your body afterwards, you can strengthen your immune system and feel more resilient through recovery.

What is immune-enhancing nutrition?

Alongside a balanced diet, if preparing for surgery, you may benefit from immune-enhancing oral nutrition supplements. These are specialised drinks designed for people who are malnourished or at risk of poor intake, a common concern in cancer care.

These supplements may contain a unique blend of nutrients like arginine, glutamine, omega-3 fatty acids, and nucleotides. They work together to support your immune system and recovery.

Arginine: supporting wound healing

Arginine is an amino acid that becomes especially important during recovery. It helps your body make collagen, the protein that closes surgical wounds and repairs tissues.

It also improves blood flow, helping oxygen and nutrients reach healing cells. 

If you are preparing for cancer surgery, getting enough arginine can support wound healing and reduce post-operative infection risk.

Omega-3 fatty acids: calming inflammation

Omega-3s, the healthy fats found in fish and certain plant oils, help your body manage inflammation.

After surgery, some inflammation is normal, but too much can slow healing. Omega-3s help calm this response, supporting immune balance and potentially helping preserve muscle mass, which is often a concern during cancer treatment.

Nucleotides: helping cells regenerate

Nucleotides are the small building blocks of DNA and RNA, the materials that make up every cell. When your body is healing, it needs to make new immune and tissue cells quickly, and nucleotides provide the foundation for this process.

Adding nucleotides through nutrition can help your body repair tissues faster and maintain immune strength during recovery.

When eating isn’t enough

After surgery, you might struggle with appetite, taste changes, or fatigue. 

Even when you’re eating small healthy meals, it can be difficult to get enough protein, vitamins, and healing nutrients through food alone.

That’s where immune-enhancing oral nutrition supplements come in. These are easy-to-digest, nutrient-rich drinks designed for people recovering from surgery or illness. They provide a balance of protein, healthy fats, and key immune nutrients, such as arginine and omega-3s.

Your healthcare team or dietitian can guide you on how to include these supplements safely in your recovery plan.

Supporting your recovery journey

Surgery recovery is about more than just physical healing, it’s about feeling strong, hopeful, and cared for. Along with your medical treatment, gentle movement, rest, emotional support, and good nutrition is one of the most empowering tools you have.

If you’re preparing for cancer surgery, talk to your doctor or dietitian about how to support your body before and after your procedure.

Nutrition is one part of treatment you can control, and every nourishing choice helps you heal from the inside out.

Nutrition tips before and after surgery

1. Start early. Begin focusing on nutrition at least 5–7 days before surgery to help your body build reserves.

2. Prioritise protein. Include protein-rich foods like eggs, yoghurt, beans, fish, or fortified drinks at each meal.

3. Stay hydrated. Water, herbal teas, soups, and smoothies help support recovery and hydration.

4. Ask for support. If you’re losing weight or struggling to eat, speak to your dietitian about immune-enhancing supplements.

5. Rest and refuel. Healing requires both nourishment and rest; be kind to your body during recovery.

Meagan Atcheson is a registered dietitian specialising in oncology nutrition and complex clinical care. With deep experience working alongside oncology teams, she focuses on maintaining quality of life, managing treatment-related symptoms, and empowering patients through every phase of cancer care with structured yet gentle nutrition guidance.  

Header image by Freepik