It is well known that nutrition profoundly influences the wound healing process, such that nutrition depletion exerts an adverse effect and nutrition supplementation has a positive effect. Multiple published studies in Gastrointestinal Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery, and Trauma Surgery have confirmed a significant reduction in post-operative infections, length of hospital stay, and complications in subjects receiving nutritional supplementation. The greatest improvement was observed in patients receiving specialized nutritional support before their operation. Enhanced recovery of patients after surgery has become an important focus of peri-operative management with the establishment of specific guidelines both in the U.S. and in the European Union.
In 2008, Dr. Siamak Agha complied the results of over 200 scientific papers on importance of nutrition in surgical patients and completed a review on this subject that was published in the prestigious Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery titled: Nutrition Deficiency of Post-Bariatric Body Contouring Patients: What Every Plastic Surgeon Should Know.
Applying the findings of these research papers, Dr. Agha has applied the concept of “enhanced recovery” to all his surgical procedures. In consultation with NutrEssential Incorporated, the ProCare M.D. Enhanced Recovery Program was specifically designed to optimize the physiological and nutritional status of surgical patients prior to and after surgery.
ProCare M.D. (NutrEssential.com) is a comprehensive formula of protein, free amino acids, arginine, glutamine, and dietary nucleotides as well as vitamins A, C, B6, B12, folate, thiamine, iron, zinc, and selenium. Many studies have deemed arginine and glutamine essential to the healing of wounds and the optimization of the immune system. Surgical patients are started on ProCare M.D. three to four weeks prior to surgery and continue on this supplement until healed at four to six weeks after surgery.
Since integrating ProCare M.D. supplements, Dr. Agha has noticed significantly faster recovery, lower operative complication rates, and finer scars in his patients who use the nutritional supplements. The concept of “Enhanced Recovery after Surgery” and Dr. Agha’s results with the use of ProCare M.D. was published in the December 2008 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, titled: Nutrition Deficiency of Post-Bariatric Body Contouring Patients: What Every Plastic Surgeon Should Know.
ProCare M.D. Recipes
Use a blender for mixing…
2/3 scoop supplement, ice, margarita mix
2/3 scoop supplement, one cup of milk, ice, scoops of canned pineapple
2/3 scoop supplement, one cup of milk, ice, orange juice, real orange
2/3 scoop supplement, one cup of milk, ice, pineapple, orange juice, real orange slices
2/3 scoop supplement, one cup of milk, ice, 1/2 a banana, peanut butter
2/3 scoop supplement, one cup of milk, ice, banana and pineapple chunks
2/3 scoop supplement, one cup of milk, ice, pineapple chunks, canned peaches
2/3 scoop supplement, “One the Go” packet of Sunrise Classic Orange Crystal light, water, ice. Can also add mandarin oranges
2/3 scoop supplement added to 16oz bottle of pineapple-orange juice. Shake well or mix in blender.
2/3 scoop supplement, fat free sugar free instant pudding, cup of milk or cup of flavored soy milk (vanilla or chocolate)
2/3 scoop supplement, flavored International Coffee (powdered), cool whip, splenda, cup of milk or cup of flavored soy milk (vanilla or chocolate)
2/3 scoop supplement, Kool-Aid singles, 8oz water, splenda, ice.
2/3 scoop supplement, one cup of orange juice, raspberry or pineapple sorbet
2/3 scoop supplement, one cup of orange juice, 1 cup of vanilla nonfat yogurt, pineapple chunks, fresh strawberries
2/3 scoop supplement, one cup orange strawberry banana juice, strawberries, ice
2/3 scoop supplement, one cup of vanilla flavored soy milk, 1 cup of vanilla nonfat yogurt, blueberries, strawberries