Nutrients for Tissue Repair Nutrition After Shoulder Surgery
                     SHOULDER SURGERY RECOVERY GUIDE
Nutrition After 
Shoulder Surgery
Supporting Healing, Strength & Recovery Through 
Proper Nutrition
For rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement and labrum repair
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Understanding shoulder surgery
Three common procedures, and what they ask of your body
Rotator cuff repair Shoulder replacement Labrum repair
Reattaches a torn rotator cuff tendon Replaces worn joint surfaces with Reattaches the ring of cartilage that 
to the upper arm bone. The tendon implants (anatomic or reverse). deepens the shoulder socket, often 
has to heal back onto bone, which Recovery means protecting the new after dislocations or overhead sports 
takes months, not weeks. joint while rebuilding the muscles injuries.
around it.
Why recovery nutrition matters: most patients spend weeks in a sling, move less, often eat less, and then face months of 
physical therapy. Shoulder surgery recovery nutrition helps cover those weeks of higher demand and lower intake.
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Why nutrition matters after shoulder surgery
Healing tissue and resting muscle both depend on what you eat
Supports normal tissue repair Rotator cuff retear rate at follow-up
Repair uses protein, vitamin C and other nutrients to build new By vitamin D status (Chen et al., 2022, 89 patients)
collagen.
Helps maintain muscle 27%
Arm and shoulder muscles lose strength quickly while the arm 
rests in a sling.
Meets higher needs 9%
Surgery raises energy and protein needs at the time appetite is 
often lowest.
Vitamin D deficient Not deficient
Supports rehabilitation
An association from a retrospective study, not proof that vitamin D prevents 
Steady fuel helps you keep up with months of physical therapy. retears. Ask your surgeon whether a vitamin D check makes sense for you.
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Protein after shoulder surgery
The building block for muscle and tissue while your arm is resting
~1.5 g per kg Body weight Daily target Per meal (4 a day)
of ideal body weight a day is the estimate in European surgical 
nutrition guidelines (ESPEN). Many people find 25 to 30 g per 60 kg (132 lb) 72–90 g 18–23 g
meal an easy way to get there.
Essential amino acids come from food and can't be made by 80 kg (176 lb) 96–120 g 24–30 g
the body. Leucine is the one most closely linked to keeping 
muscle.
100 kg (220 lb) 120–150 g 30–38 g
Protein-rich foods Based on 1.2 to 1.5 g per kg a day.
Eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, milk, chicken, fish, tofu, 
beans and lentils. A protein shake can fill a gap on low-appetite Less movement, same need: muscle shrinks quickly when a limb is 
days. immobilized, so protein matters most when you are least active. Kidney 
disease or a protein limit? Ask your doctor for your own target.
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Nutrients for tissue repair and recovery
What each nutrient does in the body, in plain terms
Protein Collagen Omega-3 fats Vitamin C
Supplies the amino acids the The main structural protein in Part of every cell membrane and Needed to make collagen. A 98-
body uses to build and repair tendons. Research on collagen involved in regulating patient rotator cuff trial saw 89% 
muscle, tendon and skin. supplements for tendon repair is inflammation. Tell your surgeon vs 77% healing, not statistically 
still early. if you take fish oil. significant.
Vitamin D Zinc Magnesium
Supports normal bone and muscle. Low levels Involved in protein synthesis, cell growth and Supports normal muscle and nerve function 
were found in 44% of rotator cuff tear patients immune function. Found in meat, shellfish, and energy metabolism. Found in nuts, seeds, 
in one study. beans and seeds. whole grains and greens.
Food first: a balanced diet supplies most of these. Supplements fill gaps and should be cleared with your care team.
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Foods after shoulder surgery
Build each meal from these six groups
Eggs and dairy Fish and lean meats Beans and lentils
Eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, milk, Salmon, tuna, chicken, turkey, lean beef Lentil soup, chickpeas, black beans, 
cheese sticks hummus
Fruits and vegetables Nuts and seeds Whole grains
Oranges, kiwi, berries, bell peppers, Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia, nut Oats, brown rice, quinoa, whole-grain bread
broccoli, leafy greens butter
One-handed tip: stock up before surgery on pre-cut, pre-peeled and easy-open foods. Soup in a mug and yogurt cups need no cutting.
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Hydration and balanced nutrition
Simple habits that make the sling weeks easier
A balanced recovery plate
Stay hydrated Keep it steady
Pain medicine often slows the gut. Protein at breakfast, lunch, 
Water plus fiber helps prevent dinner and one snack.
constipation.
Small meals count when appetite 
Keep a filled bottle within reach of your is low.
good hand.
Prep freezer meals before surgery 
Pale yellow urine is a simple daily day.
check.
½ vegetables and fruit
¼ protein
¼ whole grains
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Nutrition during shoulder surgery rehabilitation
From the week before surgery to the end of physical therapy
1 2 3 4 5
1 week before Night before First days home Sling weeks Rehab and PT
Protein at every meal. Ask whether a Small, easy meals. Protein steady every Eat a protein meal or 
Add a daily shake if carbohydrate drink is Restart protein as day while muscle is snack on therapy days 
meals fall short. allowed. Follow soon as you are least active. to keep intake steady.
fasting rules exactly. eating.
Work with your team: your surgeon and physical therapist set the sling and rehab timeline. Match your nutrition plan to their 
schedule, not the other way round.
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Common nutrition mistakes to avoid
Small slips that add up over a long recovery
Too little protein Skipping meals Poor hydration
Low appetite makes it easy to fall short, One-handed cooking is tiring. Plan easy Dehydration and pain medicine together 
right when needs are higher. meals before surgery so you don't skip. raise the risk of constipation.
Relying only on Cutting calories while Ignoring medical 
supplements healing advice
Shakes and pills fill gaps. They don't Moving less doesn't mean your body Your surgeon's and dietitian's instructions 
replace real meals. needs less while it repairs tissue. come before any general plan.
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How My Thrive Protocol supports recovery nutrition
A physician-developed nutrition system for before surgery, recovery and rehab
Physician-developed
Built by physicians around published surgical nutrition research. Our shoulder guide is 
medically reviewed by orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Patrick Denard.
Protein and amino acids
Each OptiFuel packet has 25 g of whey protein, with leucine and glutamine.
Collagen and omega-3s
Collagen peptides and omegas, plus a low amount of curcumin.
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamins C and D, B vitamins and magnesium.
Before, during and after
Surgical Protocol Kit before surgery, Recovery Protocol Kit after.
OptiFuel is Informed Sport certified and contains milk. Kits are HSA/FSA eligible. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or 
prevent any disease.
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Key takeaways
Nutrition for shoulder recovery in six points
Balanced nutrition Adequate protein
Half vegetables and fruit, a quarter protein, a quarter About 1.2 to 1.5 g per kg a day, spread over four eating 
whole grains. times.
Essential nutrients Hydration
Vitamins C and D, zinc, magnesium and omega-3s, from Water and fiber every day, especially while on pain 
food first. medicine.
Consistent rehab Medical guidance
Nutrition supports your therapy. Physical therapy Clear every supplement with your surgeon and follow 
rebuilds strength. their plan.
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NUTRITION AFTER SHOULDER SURGERY
Make Nutrition Part of Your 
Recovery Journey
Read the full shoulder surgery nutrition guide: a phase-by-phase plan, the 
research behind it and answers to common questions, medically reviewed by Dr. 
Patrick Denard.
mythriveprotocol.com/pages/shoulder-surgery-nutrition
Educational information, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. 
My Thrive Protocol products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.