What to Eat Before and After Orthopedic Surgery

When you're getting ready for orthopedic surgery, there's a lot to organize. Appointments, prescriptions, transportation, physical therapy, and figuring out how you're going to manage everyday life when you get home.

Nutrition often gets less attention.

But whether you're having a rotator cuff repair, knee replacement, hip replacement, or another orthopedic procedure, your body will need energy and nutrients to maintain muscle and repair tissue.

The good news? You don't need to overhaul your diet. You need a plan that's practical enough to follow before surgery and easy enough to maintain afterward.

Start with protein

Protein provides the building blocks your body uses to repair tissue and maintain muscle. That's especially relevant after orthopedic surgery, when pain, fatigue, or temporary movement restrictions may make it harder to stay active.

Research involving joint replacement patients suggests that perioperative protein or amino acid supplementation may help reduce muscle loss, although improvements in strength and function are less consistent.

That distinction matters. Nutrition is part of supporting recovery, not a guarantee of better surgical outcomes.

What does this mean for your meals?

Try including a protein source throughout the day rather than saving most of it for dinner.

Breakfast might be Greek yogurt or eggs. Lunch could include chicken, tuna, beans, or tofu. Dinner might feature fish, poultry, lentils, or another protein-rich option.

Protein shakes can also be convenient, particularly when preparing food is difficult.

Your ideal daily intake depends on your age, body size, health, and nutritional status. If you're unsure whether you're eating enough, ask your care team or a registered dietitian.

A more structured approach: Thrive Protocol

For patients who prefer a planned nutrition routine, Thrive Protocol offers an optional perioperative nutrition program designed for use before and after surgery.

The Surgical Protocol Kit includes daily OptiFuel packets and a preoperative OptiCharge component. It provides a structured option for patients who want nutritional support without having to organize several individual products.

Thrive is not a substitute for regular meals or your surgeon's instructions, and it isn't necessary for every patient.

Explore Thrive Protocol

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re: may receive compensation from purchases made through its partner resources. Recommendations are optional and separate from your medical care.

Don't forget the rest of your diet

Protein gets a lot of attention, but it's only one part of the picture.

Your body also needs enough overall energy, fluids, vitamins, and minerals to support normal function and tissue repair.

A few useful habits before surgery:

• Eat regular, balanced meals rather than starting a restrictive diet.
• Include fruits and vegetables for fiber and essential nutrients.
• Drink fluids consistently unless you've been given restrictions.
• Pay attention to unexplained weight loss or a persistent poor appetite.
• Tell your surgical team about any vitamins, supplements, or nutrition products you're taking.

Some patients may benefit from additional nutritional assessment before surgery, especially if they've been eating poorly or losing weight unintentionally.

The week before surgery

This is a good time to make eating well easier.

Stock your kitchen with foods you already enjoy. Prepare a few meals to freeze. Make sure you have easy protein options available for days when you don't feel like cooking.

If you're considering a structured perioperative nutrition program, discuss it with your surgical team before starting.

It's also important to clarify exactly what you're allowed to eat and drink before your procedure. Fasting instructions and any permitted preoperative carbohydrate drinks depend on your procedure, anesthesia plan, and medical circumstances.

Never replace your surgical team's fasting instructions with general advice from an article or product label.

After surgery, convenience matters

Eating well can become surprisingly difficult when you're tired, uncomfortable, taking medications, or managing with one arm or limited mobility.

You might not feel especially hungry. You might not want to cook. And foods that normally require little effort may suddenly seem like a lot of work.

Plan for that before you get home.

Keep a few easy options available:

• Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and eggs
• Prepared soups, beans, or shredded chicken
• Frozen meals with a good protein source
• Smoothie ingredients and suitable nutrition drinks
• Fruit, vegetables, and other easy-to-prepare foods

If your appetite is low, smaller meals or snacks may be easier than large portions. Persistent vomiting, inability to drink, or other concerning symptoms should be discussed with your care team.

Do You Need Supplements Before or After Surgery?

Not necessarily. But they can certainly help.

Surgery places additional demands on your body, and getting adequate protein and nutrients is an important part of preparing for and recovering from a procedure. While food should always be the foundation, consistently meeting your nutritional needs isn't always easy, especially when you're dealing with a reduced appetite, fatigue, or limited mobility.

Protein supplements and targeted perioperative nutrition programs can help bridge those gaps by making it easier to get key nutrients consistently, without having to plan every meal around your recovery.

The goal isn't to replace a healthy diet. It's to make good nutrition easier when your body needs it most.

Ask your surgical team whether additional nutritional support makes sense for you, particularly if you have dietary restrictions or underlying medical conditions.

The bigger picture

Preparing for surgery isn't just about the procedure itself.

It's about what happens before you arrive and what everyday life will look like when you return home.

Good nutrition is one part of that preparation. It doesn't have to be complicated, but it deserves a place on your checklist alongside arranging transportation, preparing your home, and planning for help.

A little preparation now can make the practical side of recovery easier to manage.

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References

1. Khani Y, et al. Peri-operative protein or amino acid supplementation for total joint arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2025. PMID: 40317042.
2. Dreyer HC, et al. Essential amino acid supplementation mitigates muscle atrophy after total knee arthroplasty. JBJS Open Access. 2018. PMID: 30280129.
3. Ueyama H, et al. Perioperative essential amino acid supplementation facilitates quadriceps strength and volume recovery after TKA. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2023. PMID: 36856692.
4. Bauer J, et al. Evidence-based recommendations for optimal dietary protein intake in older people. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2013. PMID: 23867520.

Educational information only. Follow your surgical team's individualized recommendations.