According to the National Institutes of Health, thousands of people in the U.S. have heart surgery every day. There are many different kinds of heart surgeries from replacing the valves that control blood flow to widening blocked or narrowed arteries to the heart. Preparing for heart surgery can be a stressful time for many people since it is a major procedure. There are counselors available to help deal with the mental preparation of surgery, as well as instructions and guidelines for what diet plan to follow just before the surgery. Always follow your doctor's suggestions closely, as straying from the intended diet plan may interfere with your readiness to complete the procedure.
Step 1
Stop smoking. Your doctor may suggest that you stop smoking immediately after you become aware that you have heart surgery coming up. Smoking damages arteries to the heart and can cause blockages to it. It also damages the lungs which is dangerous after heart surgery because breathing can be difficult while healing after heart surgery.
Step 2
Work to achieve a healthy body weight. Overweight patients are at higher risk for complications during and after heart surgery. Those who have a healthy body weight are also reported to heal and return to normal activities faster. Reducing your calorie intake and increasing your exercise level will help to shed some excess weight before your heart surgery.
Step 3
Stop taking dietary supplements. The University of Wisconsin recommends stopping intake of any vitamins, herbs or other dietary supplements two weeks before surgery. Foods that are rich in nutrients should be the focus of the diet leading up to surgery, avoiding excess dietary fats and high-calorie foods.
Step 4
Stop eating solid foods the night before your surgery. Heart surgery patients should have a light dinner the night before their surgery and have only clear liquids after and up until the surgery. Your body should not be working to digest any food as you are being operated on.
Step 5
Check with your doctor for any other instructions that may be specific to you or your situation. There may be additional steps or precautions that are tailored to your situation that your physician would like you to carry out.
