This episode is for you if you’re having surgery or if you have a loved one undergoing surgery soon. We are going to learn how to optimize health prior to surgery for better recovery and better outcomes! Approximately 15 million Americans undergo some type of surgery each year, according to the American College of Surgeons.

Rebecca Knackstedt is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in implant-based and microsurgical breast reconstruction. She is currently an Assistant Professor in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery at Duke University. 

Rebecca completed her MD/PhD at Medical University of South Carolina where her PhD thesis focused on Vitamin D and inflammation. She pursued an integrated plastic surgery residency and microsurgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic during which she also became certified in Functional Medicine. Her research interests are prehabilitation for breast cancer, particularly for women undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

We learn:

• Prehabilitation is essential for optimizing health before surgery

• Surgeons often lack training in nutrition and pre-surgical care

• Nutrition plays a crucial role in recovery and healing post-surgery

• Alcohol consumption can negatively impact surgical outcomes

• Protein intake is vital for healing after surgery

• Patients should be proactive in preparing for their surgical consultations

• Vitamin D levels are often overlooked but should be monitored carefully

• Muscle strength is predictive of surgical recovery outcomes

• Avoid Boost as a nutrition supplement post-surgery

• Sleep hygiene is important for overall health and recovery

Connect with Dr. Knackstedt:

https://www.instagram.com/surgical_recovery/

https://www.youtube.com/@Surgical_Recovery⁠

#surgeryrecovery #recovery #surgerylife #health #surgicalaftercare #rehabilitation #physiotherapy  #physicaltherapy