A liver transplant is a major surgical procedure that includes replacing a non-functional liver with a healthy one. This healthy liver can be of a deceased donor or a living donor. Liver surgery is generally the last option to save the life of a patient who is suffering from chronic liver ailments.
One thing is for sure, life after a liver transplant will never be the same. There will be a lot of physical and psychological changes that a patient has to go through. But experts panel of the top 10 gastroenterologists in India says that a positive outlook and an active lifestyle can help shorten the recovery phase.
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Moreover, it is also crucial to track what, when, and how much you eat. This is what, the article talks about. Keep reading on as it highlights a healthy diet to maintain after a liver transplant surgery.
Calcium – Calcium helps in strengthening bones and boosting immunity. It also prevents the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Liver transplant patients should consume dairy products including low-fat milk to speed up their recovery process. Apart from this, leafy vegetables, whey protein, and almonds are also some of the major sources of calcium.
Fats – Increasing the consumption of bad cholesterol can slow down the recovery process along with causing additional health issues. Therefore, liver transplant patients should stick to healthy cholesterol post-surgery. Fishes are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids which is great for the health of a liver transplant patient. Apart from this, they can also consume, nuts, and vegetable oil.
Fibre – Fibre is essential to maintain healthy body weight and boost recovery. Liver transplant patients should eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables to fulfill their daily requirement of fiber nourishment.
Protein – According to health experts, protein should form 1/4th of the diet of a liver transplant patient for at least the first 2 months. They also recommend adding protein to both food and drinks for long-term health benefits. Non-vegetarians can take eggs, lean meat, chicken, and fish to fulfill their daily need for proteins. Whereas, vegetarians can go for nuts and seeds, and soya milk.
Vitamin D – Doctors prescribe prednisone to liver transplant patients that making them prone to bone loss. They can deal with it by increasing the intake of Vitamin D. Fresh orange juice, fatty fish, and dairy products are some of the rich sources of Vitamin D.
Bottom Line…
So, this was all about what you should eat post a liver transplant procedure. Make sure you consult the best doctor and discuss the liver cirrhosis treatment cost in India before signing the papers. Apart from these, make sure you try to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Yoga and light exercises can help increase blood flow in your body. Moreover, make sure you keep a check on your sodium intake and drink lots of fluid in the first three months.
All the food should be prepared in clean utensils and washed thoroughly before use. Also, eat in smaller portions for easy digestion. Although the path to recovery might seem a daunting task initially, life can get back on track with mindful eating and living.