The Impact of Nutritional Optimization to Enhance Postoperative Outcomes Using the R-Support Supplements

The aim of this pilot study is to assess the potential for enhanced postoperative recovery in patients receiving nutrient supplementation (intervention) before and after surgery, compared to patients who do not receive nutrient supplementation (control). This is a multi-center study taking place in Belgium and the Netherlands, with study sites including the following hospitals: UZ Brussel (BE), Delta CHIREC (BE), and Zuyderland Medical Center (NL). This is a pilot study, with the end goal being a randomized controlled trial. A total of 200 patients will be included. The inclusion criteria are participants classified as ASA I or II, aged between 18 and 65, and undergoing one of the following types of surgery: abdominoplasty, breast reduction, breast reconstruction via DIEP-flap, or extensive circumferential liposuction and body contouring surgery. Every patient who meets the inclusion criteria and provides informed consent will be randomly allocated to either the intervention or control group via a randomization algorithm: 100 patients without R-Support supplementation (control group) and 100 patients with R-Support supplementation (intervention group). The study will last a total of 8 weeks, divided into a 2-week preoperative period and a 6-week postoperative period. The treatment period will be 28 days: 14 days preoperatively (supplementation with R-Support Recover Prepare) and 14 days postoperatively (supplementation with R-Support Recover After). Data regarding postoperative recovery will be assessed using the PRP-Questionnaire and the Functional Recovery Index. These two questionnaires combined will provide a comprehensive overview of postoperative recovery, both physically and psychologically, as well as the speed of recovery in the early postoperative phase. The investigators hypothesize that the intervention group (with R-Support) will experience quicker postoperative recovery than the control group (without R-Support). Additionally, data on the length of hospital stay and early postoperative complications (minor, not requiring surgery, such as wound dehiscence \<2 cm and localized infection; and major, requiring surgery, such as wound dehiscence \>2 cm and infection requiring surgical debridement) will be collected. The investigators suggest that a body better prepared for surgery may, hypothetically, recover more quickly. This could be reflected in fewer hospitalized days and fewer wound complications. The study's endpoints are enhanced postoperative recovery, reduced early complications (wound dehiscence, infection), and shortened hospital stays.