This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.
Healing from a cosmetic procedure isn’t just about rest—it’s also about what you put on your plate. At Dolls Plastic Surgery, our top-rated team of plastic surgeons in Miami is committed to supporting your recovery inside and out. That’s why we’ve curated five science-backed, anti-inflammatory diets proven to speed healing, reduce swelling, and boost your immune system. Whether you’ve chosen a transformative Plastic Surgery Miami procedure or are recovering from work done by one of the Best BBL Doctors Miami has to offer, the right post-op nutrition can make all the difference. These expert-recommended meal plans are designed to nourish your body, minimize inflammation, and help you feel—and look—your absolute best.
DIET 1: The Mediterranean Diet
Core Principle
This diet is a lifestyle pattern focused on whole foods. It emphasizes a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fish, with extra virgin olive oil as the primary source of fat. It limits the consumption of red meat and high-fat dairy products.
Primary Post-Op Benefit
The Mediterranean Diet is proven to be highly effective for both acute and chronic wound healing. Its power comes from a high concentration of anti-inflammatory compounds, antioxidants, and essential healing nutrients like high-quality protein, zinc, and vitamins A and C. A low-sodium version of this diet is particularly effective at enhancing the body’s immune response to promote healing.
Food Choices
- –Foods to Eat: Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), extra virgin olive oil, a wide variety of vegetables (kale, spinach, bell peppers), fruits (berries, oranges), whole grains (quinoa, oats), legumes (lentils, chickpeas), and nuts (walnuts, almonds).
–Foods to Avoid: Red and processed meats, sugary drinks, refined grains (white bread, pastries), and highly processed foods.
1-Day Meal Plan
–Breakfast: One cup of plain Greek yogurt topped with mixed berries and a tablespoon of walnuts.
–Lunch: A large salad with grilled chicken, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, and a dressing made from extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice.
–Dinner: 4 oz baked salmon seasoned with herbs, served with a side of roasted asparagus and ½ cup of quinoa.
DIET 2: The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)
Core Principle
The DASH diet is a structured eating plan that specifies daily or weekly servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. It was originally designed to lower blood pressure and strictly limits sodium, red and processed meats, and sugar.
Primary Post-Op Benefit
This diet is supported by strong clinical evidence showing it significantly lowers levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a key biomarker for systemic inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect is most pronounced in studies lasting eight weeks or longer, making it an ideal and reliable strategy for your entire recovery period.
Food Choices
–Foods to Eat: Lean protein (skinless chicken, fish), a rainbow of vegetables, fruits, whole grains (brown rice, oats), low-fat dairy, nuts, and legumes.
–Foods to Avoid: High-sodium foods (canned soups, processed snacks), red meat, processed meats (sausage, bacon), sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
1-Day Meal Plan
–Breakfast: A bowl of oatmeal made with low-fat milk, topped with a sliced banana and a handful of almonds.
–Lunch: A sandwich on whole-wheat bread with sliced turkey breast, lettuce, tomato, and avocado.
–Dinner: 4 oz baked cod with a side of steamed green beans and a baked sweet potato.
Diet 3: The Whole-Food, Plant-Forward Diet
Core Principle
This approach focuses on making plants—vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes—the star of every meal to maximize your intake of antioxidants and phytonutrients. Crucially, it is plant-forward, not strictly plant-based, meaning it strategically includes lean animal proteins to ensure all nutritional needs for healing are met.
Primary Post-Op Benefit
This diet floods the body with antioxidants to combat the oxidative stress caused by surgery, while the inclusion of high-quality animal protein ensures you get sufficient, easily absorbable protein, iron, and vitamin B12. This is a critical distinction, as recent peer-reviewed research indicates that strictly vegan or vegetarian diets can lead to inferior wound healing outcomes, such as a higher incidence of atrophic scars and wound disruption, likely due to deficiencies in these key nutrients.
Food Choices
- -Foods to Eat: A plate that is mostly filled with plants like spinach, sweet potatoes, berries, quinoa, and black beans. This is supplemented with smaller portions of high-quality animal protein like fish, skinless chicken, eggs, and Greek yogurt.
-Foods to Avoid: Highly processed foods, refined sugars and grains, and fatty cuts of meat.
1-Day Meal Plan
-Breakfast: A two-egg scramble loaded with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers.
-Lunch: A large quinoa bowl with black beans, corn, avocado, and salsa, with a side of grilled chicken strips.
-Dinner: A stir-fry with tofu and a generous amount of broccoli, snap peas, and carrots, using low-sodium tamari for flavor.
Diet 4: The Immunonutrition Protocol
Core Principle
This is a therapeutic dietary strategy that uses targeted nutrients—specifically the amino acid Arginine and Omega-3 fatty acids—at higher-than-normal levels to actively modulate the immune system and accelerate healing.
Primary Post-Op Benefit
The combination of Arginine and Omega-3s has been shown in multiple clinical studies to be far more effective than either nutrient alone, with the potential to reduce postoperative infection rates by more than 50%. Arginine provides the building blocks for collagen and enhances blood flow, while Omega-3s create the ideal anti-inflammatory environment for healing to occur.
Food Choices
-Foods to Eat: A deliberate combination of foods rich in Arginine (turkey, chicken, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, lentils) and Omega-3s (fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts).
–Foods to Avoid: Pro-inflammatory foods that counteract the protocol’s benefits, such as fried foods, sugary snacks, and processed meats.
Diet 5: The Low-Sodium, High-Hydration Plan
Core Principle
This is a focused, short-term strategy for the first 1-4 weeks after surgery. The sole purpose is to aggressively minimize sodium intake while maximizing fluid consumption to manage swelling.
Primary Post-Op Benefit
This plan directly combats postoperative swelling and fluid retention. High sodium intake causes the body to retain water, leading to increased swelling and discomfort. Simultaneously, high fluid intake helps the lymphatic system efficiently flush out excess fluid, inflammatory byproducts, and residual anesthesia.
Food Choices
–Foods to Eat: Whole, unprocessed foods cooked from scratch without added salt. Use herbs and spices for flavor instead.
–Fluids to Drink: Water should be your primary beverage. Also include unsweetened herbal teas (ginger, chamomile), low-sodium bone broth, and unsweetened coconut water.
–Foods to Avoid: All high-sodium foods. This includes fast food, canned soups, frozen dinners, processed meats (bacon, deli meat), salty snacks (chips, crackers), and restaurant meals. Also avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can be dehydrating.
Day-1 Meal Plan
–Breakfast: Plain oatmeal cooked with water, topped with fresh blueberries and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
–Lunch: A large salad with unsalted, pre-cooked chicken breast, cucumber, bell peppers, and a simple dressing of olive oil and vinegar.
–Dinner: A piece of baked fish (like cod or tilapia) seasoned only with lemon and herbs, served with steamed green beans and a baked potato (no salt or butter).
–Hydration: Throughout the day, consistently sip on water, aiming for at least eight 8-ounce glasses. Supplement with a cup of ginger tea and a cup of low-sodium bone broth. 1
A-Protein is the single most important macronutrient for post-surgical healing because it provides the fundamental building blocks (amino acids) required to repair tissues, support a robust immune response, and synthesize collagen—the primary structural protein that gives your skin its strength and elasticity.1 Following surgery, your protein requirements increase substantially to an estimated 1.25–1.5 g/kg of body weight per day.4 Certain amino acids, like arginine and glutamine, act as “pharmaconutrients,” directly stimulating collagen deposition, improving blood flow to the surgical sites, and serving as a primary fuel source for immune cells.4
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a non-negotiable component for recovery because it is an essential co-factor for every step of collagen synthesis, from initial production to the final cross-linking that gives new tissue its tensile strength.4 Without adequate vitamin C, the body cannot efficiently convert protein into strong, new tissue. Furthermore, it is a powerful antioxidant, protecting vulnerable new cells from damage caused by oxidative stress during the healing process.8
Yes, the DASH diet’s relevance to surgical recovery is supported by high-level clinical evidence. A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that adherence to the DASH diet significantly decreased serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a key biomarker of systemic inflammation.9 The effect was most pronounced in trials lasting eight weeks or longer, making it a reliable strategy for the full duration of your recovery.
Not necessarily. While plant-rich diets are naturally anti-inflammatory, recent research highlights a “plant-based paradox.” A 2025 systematic scoping review published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found that patients on strict vegan or vegetarian diets had statistically inferior wound healing outcomes compared to omnivores, including a higher incidence of atrophic (thin) scars and wound disruption.11 The proposed reason is that strictly plant-based diets can be deficient in highly bioavailable complete protein, iron, and vitamin B12, all of which are critical for robust collagen production.12 Therefore, the safest recommendation is a “plant-forward” diet that harnesses the power of plants while strategically incorporating high-quality animal proteins.
A low-sodium plan is a non-negotiable strategy for the critical first weeks after surgery to manage swelling and fluid retention. The link between high sodium intake and increased postoperative swelling is well-documented.13 Salt acts like a sponge in the body, causing tissues to retain excess water.13 Simultaneously, high hydration helps your lymphatic system to efficiently flush out this excess fluid and inflammatory byproducts from your body.1
Your dream body is just
Before and after photos:
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References:
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