Diet Recommendations for Post-Surgery Recovery - #46871
I am aged 31 ,underwent a Debridement and Fasciotomy of toe surgery, i want diet recommendation so that I recover soon. I am also over weight and have slight back pain.I also have kapha in my body, beore surgery I felt breathlessness and was given nebulization thrice.
How long ago did you undergo the surgery?:
- Less than a weekWhat is your current level of physical activity?:
- Sedentary (little to no exercise)How would you describe your appetite since the surgery?:
- Very good, eating wellDoctor-recommended remedies for this condition


Doctors' responses
As Your body has recently undergone a significant surgical procedure involving cleaning of infected or damaged tissue and release of pressure in the toe
This means the body is actively repairing tissue rebuilding blood flow nerves and skin and at the same time managing inflammation During this phase the digestive system plays a very important role because every cell that heals comes from what you digest and absorb
Since your appetite is very good this is actually a positive sign It shows that the digestive fire is active and the body is asking for nutrition But appetite alone does not mean the body can handle heavy food Right now digestion should be supported not burdened
Because you mentioned heaviness tendency breathlessness before surgery and being overweight the internal environment is prone to congestion fluid retention and sluggish circulation So the diet must nourish healing while keeping food light warm and clean
Start your day with warm water This improves bowel movement and reduces heaviness You may sip warm water through out the day
Breakfast should be warm and simple include soft vegetable porridge ,moong dal based preparations ,vegetable soups with a small amount of rice Avoid bread ,butter ,cheese ,cold milk ,cornflakes or packaged breakfast foods
Mid morning you may take a fruit Papaya is excellent for digestion and tissue repair Pomegranate supports blood and wound healing Apple can be taken stewed if raw feels heavy Avoid banana ,mango ,chikoo ,grapes or very sweet fruits as they increase heaviness and slow circulation
Lunch should be your main meal This is when digestion is strongest Have well cooked rice or hand pounded rice in moderate quantity Combine it with moong dal or thin dal Add cooked vegetables like bottle gourd ridge gourd pumpkin carrot beans spinach drumstick Use minimal oil Avoid fried vegetables curd rice excess ghee
Protein is important for healing but it must be easy to digest Moong dal is the best option Paneer can be taken in small quantity if digestion is comfortable Avoid red meat fried eggs or heavy protein supplements
Use spices gently Ginger garlic turmeric cumin coriander help reduce inflammation improve digestion and support circulation Avoid very spicy chillies sauces or ready made masalas
Evening time is when heaviness and breathlessness can worsen Have light snacks if needed like vegetable soup roasted puffed rice or a small portion of steamed snacks Avoid tea coffee biscuits fried snacks
Dinner should be very light and early Vegetable soup dal soup or soft khichdi Avoid rice in large quantity at night Finish dinner at least two to three hours before sleep
Avoid sleeping during the day Day sleep increases congestion slows healing and worsens breathlessness If you feel tired lie down with head elevated but do not sleep deeply
Sleep early at night Good sleep supports tissue repair hormone balance and reduces inflammation
Regarding breathlessness this is often due to congestion heaviness and reduced movement Warm food warm water gentle breathing exercises help clear this Sit upright and practice slow deep breathing through the nose expanding the chest gently Do this several times a day
As your surgery site allows start gentle movement Move toes ankles and legs as advised Movement improves circulation and reduces swelling Avoid prolonged sitting Change position frequently
For back pain posture is very important When sitting keep feet flat back straight and avoid slouching Use a firm mattress Avoid soft sofas and long hours in one position
Weight will reduce naturally when inflammation settles and routine becomes disciplined Do not try to diet aggressively now Healing comes first Weight loss will follow once mobility improves
Emotionally surgery can make the mind anxious fearful or restless This also affects healing Keep the mind calm Listen to soothing music spend time in natural light avoid excessive screen time
Avoid smoking alcohol and cold exposure These slow wound healing and circulation
Hydration should be warm and steady Avoid ice water cold juices aerated drinks
As healing progresses diet can be slowly adjusted
Along with medical follow up this supportive routine will help you recover faster and regain strength
Thank you mam. Can I incorporate Barley water for reducing swelling in my leg?
Yes you can take barley water ,take it warm freshly prepared once daily preferably at day time
Barley water usually will help with reducing inflammation and detoxification but still now there is no any clinical evidence or medical guidance that by taking barley water it will help in reducing swelling, but in general you can use
✔️ Yes, barley water can help reduce leg swelling ✔️ Take warm, in limited quantity ✔️ Stop if swelling worsens or pain/redness appears
🥣 CORRECT WAY TO TAKE BARLEY WATER Method: Take 1 tbsp barley Boil in 1 litre water Reduce to ½–¾ litre Strain
Dose: ½ cup, 1–2 times daily Best time: mid-morning or afternoon Enhance effect (optional): Add pinch of dry ginger powder OR ½ tsp lemon juice (only if digestion is good)
🚫 AVOID THESE MISTAKES Do not drink cold Do not take at night Do not take more than 2 cups/day Avoid if causing bloating or loose stools
⏳ HOW LONG TO TAKE 5–7 days, then reassess swelling Can be continued intermittently if helpful
🌿 ADDITIONAL SIMPLE MEASURES Leg elevation while resting Gentle ankle movements Avoid sitting continuously Limit salt & packaged foods
Yes u take it
HELLO,
You are 31 years old, overweight, with a Kapha-dominant body constitution and you have recently undergone debridement and Fasciotomy of the toe. This means -Debridment-> removal of infected or dead tissue -Fasciotomy-> cutting tight tissue layers to reduce pressure and improve blood flow
WHY DID THIS PROBLEM OCCUR? From an Ayurvedic point of view, the root causes are -KKapha dominance-> slow healing, swelling, heaviness -Meda excess (fat tissue)-> poor circulation -Poor micro-circulation to toe-> tissue damage -Vata aggravation due to surgery -> pain, delayed healing -Breathlessness before surgery-> kapha accumulation in chest
WHAT IS HAPPENING INSIDE THE BODY NOW? The wound is healing but -Kapha can cause oozing, swelling, delayed closure -Vata can cause pain , dryness, delayed tissue regenration
-Digestion is good which is positive, but if kapha foods are eaten , ama (toxins) can slow recovery
TREATMENT GOALS -fast wound cleaning -proper wound healing -reduce kapha and swelling -control vata pain -improve circulation -prevent infections and complications -gradual weight reduction without weakness
INTERNAL MEDICATIONS
1) GUDUCHI GHAN VATI = 2 tabs twice daily after meals = improves immunity, reduces inflammation, enahnces wound healing, prevents infections
2) TRIPHALA GUGGULU= 2 tabs twice daily after meals =reduces kapha and meda , improves ciruclation, helps tissue repair, reduces swelling
3) HARIDRA KHANDA = 1 tsp twice daily with warm milk =natural anti-inflammatory, prevents infection, improves wound. healing
4) PUNARNAVA MANDUR= 1 tab twice daily after meals =reduces inflammation, supports healing
DURATION= 4-6 weeks REVIEW AFTER= 2 weeks
EXTERNAL TREATMENT
1) WOUND CARE -Follow surgeon’s dressing advice strictly Keep wound -clean -dry -elevated is swelling present
Ayurvedic -Jatyadi taila for dressing promotes granulation tissue, reduces infections -Neen decoction wash (mild, warm)
DIET -moong dal -vegetable soups -bottle gourd,ridge gourd, pumpkin -drumstick leaves -garlic (small amount) -turmeric, ginger,black pepper -barley, millet, jowar -small quantity of ghee
AVOID -curd especially night -cheese,panner -fried food -sugar,sweets -cold food and drinks -bakery items -excess rice Diet should feel light even after eating
HOME REMEDIES
1) STEAM INHALATION (for breathlessness) -once daily -with ajwain or eucalyptus -clears kapha from chest
2) WARM WATER HABITS -sip warm water through the day -improves circulation and digestion
3) TURMERIC MILK (only if no congestion) -1/2 tsp turmeric in warm water (not milk) -2-3 times/week
LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS
DO’S -adequate sleep -keep foot elevated -gentle movements once allowed -maintain warmth
DON’TS -sitting consitnuously -cold exposure -overeating -late night sleep
YOGA AND PRANAYAM
Initially (breathing only) -anulom vilom= 5-10 min -bhramari= 5 rounds
After wound healing -gentle stretches -cat-cow (for back pain) -avoid kapalbhati initially
Your recover depends on three pillars -proper wound care -kapha controlled diet -consistent lifestyle discipline
Ayurveda supports your body’s natural healing- but healing will be slow if -kapha aggravating foods continue -sedentary habits persist -mediicnes are irregulat
If followed sincerly, this plan can -speed up healing -prevent recurrence -improve breathing -reduce weight safely -redue future surgical risk
DO FOLLOW
HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL
THANK YOU
DR. MAITRI ACHARYA
I AM GLAD YOU ASKED THIS AT THE RIGHT TIME BECAUSE PROPER DIET AFTER SURGERY PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN HOW FAST AND HOW WELL THE BODY HEALS
YOU HAVE JUST UNDERGONE DEBRIDEMENT AND FASCIOTOMY SO RIGHT NOW YOUR BODY NEEDS CLEAN NUTRITION THAT SUPPORTS WOUND HEALING REDUCES SWELLING AND PREVENTS PHLEGM BUILD UP SINCE YOU ALREADY HAVE KAPHA TENDENCY AND HAD BREATHLESSNESS BEFORE SURGERY
THE FACT THAT YOUR APPETITE IS GOOD IS A POSITIVE SIGN BUT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT NOT TO OVERLOAD DIGESTION EVEN IF YOU FEEL HUNGRY
FOR NOW YOUR FOOD SHOULD BE WARM FRESH AND SIMPLE EAT SMALL MEALS AT REGULAR INTERVALS PREFER MOONG DAL SOUP VEGETABLE SOUPS SOFT COOKED RICE WITH DAL AND WELL COOKED VEGETABLES USE VEGETABLES LIKE BOTTLE GOURD RIDGE GOURD PUMPKIN CARROT BEANS AND SPINACH IN MODERATION ADD A LITTLE TURMERIC AND BLACK PEPPER TO FOOD DAILY THIS HELPS WOUND HEALING AND PREVENTS INFECTION USE FRESH GINGER IN COOKING TO KEEP DIGESTION ACTIVE AND CONTROL KAPHA
AVOID CURD CHEESE ICE CREAM BAKERY ITEMS FRIED FOOD SWEETS AND COLD DRINKS AVOID MILK AND BANANA AT NIGHT FOR SOME TIME AS THEY INCREASE PHLEGM AND CAN CAUSE BREATHLESSNESS
YOU CAN TAKE WARM JEERA WATER OR DRY GINGER WATER ONCE DAILY
FOR WOUND HEALING AND STRENGTH YOU CAN TAKE A SMALL AMOUNT OF GHEE DAILY PROTEIN FROM DAL AND WELL COOKED PANEER IN SMALL QUANTITY
SINCE YOU ARE OVERWEIGHT DO NOT TRY TO DIET OR FAST RIGHT
ONCE THE WOUND HEALS AND MOVEMENT IMPROVES YOU CAN PLAN A PROPER KAPHA BALANCING AND WEIGHT REDUCTION DIET
FOR BREATHLESSNESS AND BACK PAIN KEEP THE BODY WARM START VERY GENTLE DEEP BREATHING AS ADVISED CHANGE POSITIONS FREQUENTLY AND DO NOT STAY SITTING OR LYING FOR LONG HOURS
RIGHT NOW REST HEALING AND DIGESTION ARE THE PRIORITY WITH THIS APPROACH MOST PATIENTS RECOVER SMOOTHLY AND FEEL LIGHTER AND STRONGER WITHIN A FEW WEEKS
Hello 😊
Wishing you a smooth and fast recovery. Since your toe debridement + fasciotomy was done less than a week ago, diet is very important right now—not only for wound healing, but also to control Kapha, reduce breathlessness risk, support weight loss, and ease back pain.
I’ll give you a clear, practical post-surgery diet plan suited to Kapha prakriti + overweight + good appetite.
🎯 MAIN GOALS OF DIET - Faster wound healing & tissue repair - Reduce Kapha (mucus, heaviness, breathlessness) - Prevent weight gain during sedentary phase - Reduce inflammation & back pain - Improve circulation to toe (very important after fasciotomy)
🌅 EARLY MORNING (Empty stomach) Choose ONE: - Warm water + ½ tsp turmeric + pinch of black pepper OR warm water + 1 tsp soaked methi seeds OR warm ginger water
👉 Avoid cold water completely.
🍳 BREAKFAST (High protein, low Kapha) Best options: - Vegetable oats / vegetable dalia - Moong dal chilla + mint chutney - Idli (1–2) + sambhar (no coconut chutney) - Upma with lots of vegetables ❌ Avoid: bread, butter, jam, cheese, paratha, poha with peanuts
🍎 MID-MORNING - 1 fruit only: papaya / apple / pear / pomegranate OR tender coconut water (if no swelling) ❌ Avoid banana, mango, chikoo
🍛 LUNCH (Most important meal) -Your plate should look like this: - ½ plate vegetables (lauki, tori, pumpkin, beans, carrot, spinach) - ¼ plate protein - Moong dal / masoor dal / rajma (small portion) OR grilled paneer / tofu ¼ plate carbs - 1–2 rotis (multigrain) OR small portion rice
Mandatory spices for healing: - Turmeric - Ginger - Jeera - Garlic (if tolerated) ❌ Avoid: curd, buttermilk, fried food, sweets, bakery
☕ EVENING (Breathlessness + Kapha control) - Herbal tea: ginger + tulsi + black pepper OR cumin–coriander–fennel tea (warm)
Snack if hungry: - Roasted chana - Vegetable soup ❌ Avoid biscuits, namkeen, tea with milk
🍽 DINNER (Light & early) - Vegetable soup + dal - Khichdi (moong dal + rice) with ghee ½ tsp - Stir-fried vegetables + 1 roti ⏰ Finish dinner by 7–7:30 pm
🌙 BEFORE BED - Warm water - If constipation: ½ tsp Triphala with warm water
🩹 SPECIAL FOODS FOR WOUND HEALING Include daily: - Protein (dal, paneer, tofu) - Zinc foods: pumpkin seeds (5–6), peanuts (small) - Vitamin C: lemon water, amla (avoid at night) - Healthy fat: ½ tsp ghee/day 🚫 STRICTLY AVOID (for 3–4 weeks) - Cold foods & drinks - Curd, ice cream, paneer at night - Sugar, sweets - Fried & packaged food Bakery items- - These delay wound healing and worsen Kapha & breathlessness.
🧘♂️ ACTIVITY (Very important) - Start deep breathing / pranayama once pain allows - Gentle ankle & toe movements (as advised by surgeon) - Back pain → warm fomentation once daily
⚠️ WHEN TO BE CAREFUL Contact doctor if: - Increasing swelling, redness, discharge from wound - Fever - Breathlessness returns Severe pain or numbness in toe
🌿 AYURVEDIC SUPPORT (only if surgeon allows) - Haridra khanda (for inflammation & healing) - Dashmool decoction (low dose) for pain & Kapha (Ask before starting)
Tq
Eat Warm, freshly cooked food Moong dal, vegetable soup, light khichdi Cooked vegetables (bottle gourd, carrot) Small quantity rice or millets Warm water often
Avoid Cold food/water Curd, sweets, fried food Bakery, junk, red meat Eating late night, day sleep Light dinner only
Take
Nishamalki 1tab bd,Grab 1tab bd Faster wound healing Less swelling
Protein should be included in diet. Moon dal, paneer, fish, egg, well cooked legumes. Protein helps in wound closure and muscle repair.
Avoid white rice, maida, baked food, fried foods, sugar.
Less carb and no sugar will help in faster recovery.
Papaya, pomegranate, apple, guava can be included in diet. It is better to avoid mango, banana as it contains more sugar.
After every meal warm water to drink. Avoid cold food, cold water etc
Ensure enough water in body.
Take care, Dr. Shaniba
Your body needs light, warm, easy-digest, anti-inflammatory diet which will speed wound healing, reduce swelling, control weight & prevent breathlessness recurrence.
Start with- Breakfast: warm moong khichdi + ½ tsp ghee + ginger OR vegetable soup Lunch: 50 g brown rice OR 2 jowar rotis + thin moong dal + cooked lauki/turai/pumpkin + ½ tsp ghee Evening: warm ginger + tulsi tea + roasted makhana handful Dinner before 7 PM: light vegetable soup OR thin khichdi + ghee Daily: pomegranate 1, beetroot juice 100 ml, thin buttermilk + roasted jeera
Avoid Completely (aggravate Kapha & slow healing) - All dairy except ghee & thin buttermilk Sugar, maida, bakery, fried food, Cold drinks/food, curd, banana, heavy pulses, Late dinner, overeating
Have Warm turmeric milk (100 ml milk + pinch turmeric + ½ tsp ghee) night Garlic + ginger in meals (small amount) – natural antibiotic & circulation
For Weight Loss & Back Pain Total ghee limited to 1–2 tsp/day Walk 20–30 min daily (slow, after wound heals) Vajrasana 5–10 min after meals (supports back & digestion)
Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma
Your diet should include that which is nutritious, balanced with protein carbohydrates, starch. Start day with good proportion of breakfast, home cooked and Indian food, followed by lunch , but go less calories in dinner, Dinner consisting of soup salad vegetable., - This pattern will help in weight Reduction and also help in recovery. Your diet should be warm , taking care of kapha not increasing For kapha in body and breathlessness : Swasari ghanvati 1-0-1 after food with water Bronchogrit 1-0-1 after food with water. Avoid processed fatty fast foods sugary foods fried foods citrus fruits cold drink icecream. Do pranayam lom -vilom bhastrika kapalbhati daily for 5-10mins twice Do Nasya with Anu tel 2drops in both nostril once daily. Steam inhalation twice daily with few drops of eucalyptus oil.
✔️ Do ✔️ Drink buttermilk Shift to millet roti Dinner at 7.30 or 8. Best to have lunch at 11.30-12 and dinner at 7.30-8 Fast for atleast 12 hours daily.
❌Don’t❌ Anything white like wheat, refined flour, sugar, salt, potato, sweet potato Oily food Packed food Processed food Ready to eat food Dairy products

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