Dr. Robert Whitfield says sleep and protein are what actually matter after surgery. Skip electrolyte drinks and high-intensity cardio, which slows healing. Walk the next day instead. Vitamin D helps only if you start it weeks before surgery, not after.
Sleep. Helps healing. Your body only puts out growth hormones while you sleep, so sleep is when the repair happens. Protein. Helps healing. Protein and amino acids are the actual building blocks your body uses to close a wound. I tell patients every time they drink something after surgery, it should be a protein shake. Electrolyte drinks. No effect, and people hate hearing that. Electrolytes aren't bad for you, they're just not what rebuilds tissue. Getting back in a spin class. Slows healing. High-intensity cardio builds up lactic acid and you're sore for days. Walking. Helps. Day after surgery, my patients are walking. That's our approved exercise. Vitamin D. It helps. It helps healing, but we start it several weeks in advance. No effect at all if you started this morning. Alcohol. Slows healing. Your liver's got a job to do while you're recovering, and this one just adds to the pile.
