Nutrition for gender-affirming surgery
Optimising your diet before and after surgery is crucial for reducing inflammation, preventing infection and promoting tissue healing.
Before surgery
- Batch cook meals to freeze so you have something prepared for after your surgery.
- Stock up on your favourite cupboard foods, such as tinned fish, cereal bars, soup and snacks.
- Arrange help with shopping or plan to shop online.
- Consider buying some ready meals for days when you do not feel like cooking.
After surgery
Healthy, balanced diet
Aim for regular, well-balanced meals following the Eatwell Guide.
Eatwell Guide: © Crown copyright. Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities in association with the Welsh Government, Food Standards Scotland and the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland. View the Eatwell Guide on GOV.UK.
If your appetite is reduced, aim to eat a little and often.
Staying hydrated
Aim for 6–8 glasses of water a day (1,600–2,000ml). Avoid excessive caffeine from energy drinks, tea and coffee.
Use apps to remind you to drink and keep a water bottle with you.
Protein for wound healing
Protein is essential for wound healing and maintaining muscle mass.
Your protein requirements are higher after surgery. Aim for 1.2–1.5g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (for example, 84–105g for a 70kg individual).
Have a protein-rich food at each meal and include protein in your snacks.
Meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, pulses, beans and tofu are all high in protein.
Snack ideas include apple slices with peanut butter, boiled eggs, Greek yoghurt with fruit and a handful of nuts.
What does 20g of protein look like?
| Food or drink | Approximate portion providing 20g of protein |
|---|---|
| Chicken, fish or meat | Palm-sized portion (approximately 100g) |
| Eggs | 3 medium eggs |
| Greek or skyr yoghurt | 200–400g (check the label) |
| Tofu | Approximately 160g |
| Beans or lentils | 300–400g cooked, or 1 can |
| Milk or soya drink | Approximately 560ml (1 pint) |
| Quorn or soya mince | 100–150g |
Other key nutrients for wound healing
A varied diet helps supply the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed for wound repair.
- Fruit and vegetables: Aim for at least five portions per day.
- Oily fish: Eat oily fish as a source of omega-3 once per week, for example mackerel, salmon or sardines.
- Zinc: Zinc-rich foods include red meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, poultry, lentils, nuts, milk, cheese and yoghurt.
- Iron: Sources of iron include red meat, offal, dark green vegetables, seeds, fortified breakfast cereals and dried fruit.
Keeping your bowels moving
Fibre plays an important role in regulating bowel movements. It can be found in fruits, vegetables, wholemeal pasta, rice, bread, oats, seeds and nuts.
Aim for 30g of fibre a day.
Eating two kiwifruits a day has been shown to be effective at relieving constipation.
If needed, take laxatives as directed by your medical team.
Calories and weight
Try to maintain your weight during healing. Weight loss can be detrimental to wound healing.
If you were previously trying to lose weight, this can usually resume after your wounds have fully healed.
Additional information
For more dietary information, please visit:
When to ask for help
Contact your dietitian, nurse or doctor if:
- You are losing weight unintentionally.
- Your appetite has been very poor for more than a few days.
- Your wounds are slow to heal or are not healing.
Chelsea Centre for Gender Surgery. Created October 2026. Review October 2029.