Keep Nutrition Intact To Avoid Post-Surgery Complications: Doctor
One of the key aspects of prehabilitation is improving nutrition, especially protein intake. International guidelines now recommend higher protein intake before surgery to support wound healing and reduce infections.
Hyderabad: A Hyderabad doctor urges patients to prepare their bodies before surgery through a process known as prehabilitation, a growing global healthcare approach aimed at reducing complications and speeding up recovery after surgeries.
According to Dr B. Sujeeth Kumar, a laparoscopic and robotic surgeon based in Hyderabad, the traditional advice of complete rest before surgery is now considered outdated. Instead, patients are being encouraged to improve nutrition, exercise regularly, control medical conditions and mentally prepare themselves in the weeks leading up to surgery.
The concept has gained momentum following updated 2025 guidelines issued by the enhanced recovery after surgery society and revised recommendations from the American society of anaesthesiologists. The guidelines suggest that preparing patients four to eight weeks before surgery can reduce postoperative complications by nearly 50 per cent, shorten hospital stays and help patients recover faster, said Dr Kumar.
One of the key aspects of prehabilitation is improving nutrition, especially protein intake. International guidelines now recommend higher protein intake before surgery to support wound healing and reduce infections.
Another major concern is anaemia, which remains common among Indian patients, especially women. Recent UK perioperative care guidelines recommend intravenous iron infusions for patients with low haemoglobin levels before planned surgeries, as it works faster and improves recovery.
He also stressed the importance of controlling diabetes before surgery. The latest diabetes care standards advise keeping HbA1c levels below eight per cent before elective procedures to lower the risk of infection and delayed healing.
Smoking, alcohol consumption and even chewing tobacco products such as gutka and khaini should ideally be stopped at least four weeks before surgery. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of brisk walking and breathing exercises daily to reduce lung complications and blood clots after surgery.
