Nutritional Support for Surgery: Nourish and Restore with Dr. Xu
At Ethos Plastic Surgery, Harvard-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Ginger Xu approaches recovery as a whole-body experience. What you eat before and after surgery plays a vital role in how you heal: not just on the surface, but deep beneath. That’s why we’ve created Nourish and Restore, a comprehensive, science-backed nutritional support guide created specifically for our plastic surgery patients.
Whether you’re preparing your body for surgery or nourishing it during recovery, following our guide will help you feel stronger, more balanced, and better equipped to heal.
Call (415) 504-1124 or contact us online today to learn more about Dr. Xu’s unique approach to plastic surgery and how it can benefit you! Dr. Xu is a Harvard trained plastic surgeon with expertise in facelift, neck lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, and other plastic surgery procedures.
For reference here is the guide
Why Nutrition Matters for Surgery
Surgery places high demands on the body. Healing tissues require energy, and key nutrients to rebuild, protect, and restore. Protein repairs tissue and supports incision healing. Antioxidants like vitamin C neutralize inflammation. Micronutrients such as zinc, vitamin A, magnesium, and iron fuel immune defense, collagen production, and overall resilience.
Staying sufficiently hydrated prevents sluggish kidneys, counters postoperative nausea and fatigue, and supports overall recovery. This isn’t just about food; it’s about equipping your body with everything it needs to heal beautifully, inside and out.
Introducing Nourish and Restore: A Holistic Nutrition Guide
Nourish and Restore is our signature guide for plastic surgery nutrition. Created with ourpatients in mind, it offers:
- Stage-specific guidance for pre-op, early recovery, and long-term healing
- Recipes and sample meals for various diets (plant-based, low-carb, gluten-free)
- Tips for managing nausea, fatigue, and constipation
- Supplement timelines and hydration strategies
- Flexible approaches to meet you where you are—whether prepping meals a month out or managing bites on post-op day one
This isn’t about restriction or perfection. It’s about nourishment and fueling your body so it can do what it’s naturally designed to do: regenerate, repair, and thrive.
Pre-Surgery: Fueling Your Body for a Strong Start
Optimizing your nutrition before surgery helps prepare your immune system, reduce inflammation, and promote cellular repair. Patients receive personalized pre-op guidance tailored to their lifestyle and goals. By nourishing your body ahead of time, you create the ideal conditions for surgical precision, smooth anesthesia, and accelerated healing.
Post-Surgery: Support Your Recovery with Purposeful Nutrition
After surgery, your metabolic demands increase. Healing tissue needs protein, energy, and hydration, yet many patients are tempted to restrict calories too early. This can stall progress and compromise results. Our program encourages a supportive, nutrient-rich approach that enhances tissue repair and reduces complications while aligning with your aesthetic goals.
Customized Meal Options (Coming Soon)
We are currently working on a meal delivery partnership to make recovery nutrition even easier. We will offer:
- Customizable meals based on calorie and nutrient needs
- Tiered options to match different body types and recovery goals
- Surgery-specific ingredients crafted to support real healing
- Doorstep delivery so you can focus on rest, not grocery lists
Whether you’re recovering from a tummy tuck, breast surgery, or body contouring, having nutrient-rich meals ready to go makes recovery smoother, less stressful, and more enjoyable.
Meet Dr. Ginger Xu
Dr. Xu embraces the responsibility and transformative opportunity to alter a patient’s appearance in a way that is congruent with their own values and matches a more cohesive sense of self; to realign the external with the internal; to create an improved emotional landscape and a better life. These ideals captivate and inspire her every day.
Whole-Body Healing, Guided by Experts
Recovery isn’t just about resting; it’s about rebuilding. By nourishing your body with intention, you’re actively supporting your transformation from the inside out. Dr. Xu and her team are committed to making every aspect of recovery feel supported, empowered, and clear.
Whole-Self Care at Ethos
At Ethos Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ginger Xu offers more than Ivy-League excellence and surgical precision. She provides a comprehensive care experience that supports your body, mind, and spirit throughout the healing process. With services like personalized nutrition guidance, pre- and post-surgical fitness support, gentle awake surgery options, and sound healing resources, every element is designed with your well-being in mind.
This holistic approach helps patients feel not only prepared and informed, but truly cared for. By addressing both physical recovery and emotional resilience, Dr. Xu creates a calm, confident environment where you can heal deeply and move through your transformation with strength and clarity.
Ready to Nourish and Restore?
To learn more about Dr. Xu’s nutritional program or get early access to our Nourish and Restore guide, contact Ethos Plastic Surgery at (415) 504-1124 or reach out online. We’ll help you prepare for surgery, heal more comfortably, and feel stronger every step of the way.
FAQs
Nourish and Restore
Before surgery, your body needs nutrient-dense foods rich in protein, antioxidants, and essential vitamins. At our San Francisco practice, Dr. Xu provides a pre-surgery nutrition guide that helps reduce inflammation, strengthen immunity, and promote healing from the inside out.
Yes. Proper nutrition after surgery can significantly impact healing time, reduce swelling, and support tissue repair. Dr. Xu’s Nourish and Restore program offers Bay Area patients a clear, compassionate guide to eating for optimal recovery and results.
Coming soon: We are developing a partnership with local providers like Milky Oats and Nazafit to offer nutrient-rich, surgery-friendly meals delivered directly to patients in San Francisco and the broader Bay Area.
What you eat before and after surgery can influence everything from how quickly you heal to how well your results hold up over time. A well-supported body leads to better scarring, reduced complications, and longer-lasting outcomes.
Absolutely. The program includes adaptable plans for gluten-free, plant-based, and low-carb lifestyles. Whether you’re in San Francisco or recovering remotely, our nutrition approach meets you where you are.
Post-surgical recovery requires high-quality protein, vitamin C, zinc, iron, and hydration. These support tissue repair, immune function, and energy levels. Our Bay Area team helps you get exactly what your body needs through personalized recommendations.