Staying Strong Before, During and After Surgery

Nutritional support is an important part of preparing for surgery and recovering well.

A male patient smiles at his female healthcare provider as they discuss pre- and post-operative nutritional support from Fresubin.

Staying Strong Before, During and After Surgery

Preparing Your Body for Surgery

Many people may need surgery during their lives. For more major procedures, your body works hard to recover and may need extra support to heal properly.

If you're preparing for surgery, one thing that may help is supporting your body by boosting your energy and nutrient intake, if needed. ^1,2

Fresubin explains how nutrition and surgery are linked: nutritional status matters as a better nutritional status is linked to better recovery; weight loss is common as illness and surgery can affect weight and muscle mass; and recovery support through improving intake before surgery may help support recovery.

How Nutrition Support Helps Preparation

Taking oral nutritional supplements (ONS) before surgery can help provide your body with energy, protein and micronutrients when regular food alone isn't enough. ONS are available in different formats, flavours and textures that can fit into your everyday life.

They are a key part of your pre- and post-operative care, as malnutrition can be a risk both before and after surgery. Taking ONS as part of a wider programme of support can improve your post-operative outcomes and quality of life. ^1,2,3,5

What is prehabilitation? Fresubin explains that prehabilitation includes nutrition support, physical activity, stress or anxiety reduction and lifestyle changes.

Oral Nutritional Support For Surgery And Recovery

Explore how Fresubin® products can help patients prepare for and recover from surgery by providing the by providing nutritional support to help maintain strength and support healing.

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Fresubin® Tube Feeds

Explore Fresubin®'s Tube Feed Ranges.

An older man and woman on a sofa smile at each other knowing they are supported by Fresubin's Tube Feed range, which includes Frebini ORIGINAL FIBRE, Fresubin ENERGY and Supportan Tube Feeds.

Fresubin® 2 KCAL

Explore the Fresubin® 2KCAL range for high energy nutritional support.

Product Finder

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A family enjoy cooking together knowing that Fresubin's nutritional supplement range is supporting their additional needs.

*All Fresubin products are Food for Special Medical Purposes. To be used under medical supervision.
1. Minnella EM, et al. Effect of Exercise and Nutrition Prehabilitation on Functional Capacity in Esophagogastric Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Surg. 2018 Dec 1;153(12):1081-1089.
2. Wischmeyer PE, et al. American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Quality Initiative Joint Consensus Statement on Nutrition Screening and Therapy Within a Surgical Enhanced Recovery Pathway. Anesth Analg. 2018 Jun;126(6):1883-1895.Erratum in: Anesth Analg. 2018 Nov;127(5):e95.
3. Fukuda Y, et al. Prevalence of Malnutrition Among Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Gastrectomy and Optimal Preoperative Nutritional Support for Preventing Surgical Site Infections. Ann Surg Oncol. 2015 Dec;22 Suppl 3:S778-85.
4. Heutlinger O, et al. Nutritional Optimization of the Surgical Patient: A Narrative Review. Adv Nutr. 2025 Jan;16(1):100351.
5.Gillis C, et al. Trimodal prehabilitation for colorectal surgery attenuates post-surgical losses in lean body mass: A pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr. 2019 Jun;38(3):1053-1060.