After a surgical operation, assisting the natural repair of tissues and organs is the top priority. Since nutrients are directly required for the body’s rebuilding processes, eating a nutrient-dense rainbow of whole foods combined with liberal servings of strong proteins is recommended. This is generally not a time to limit calories or even worry about food additives. Strong amino acid sources and antioxidant foods rich in vitamin A, C, E, selenium and zinc, will help regulate immunity and inflammation. Fermented foods can help mitigate depletion caused by antibiotics. Grapefruit deserves special mention as it is contraindicated for many types of medication and therefore should be considered and potentially avoided where appropriate.