How Warmer Weather Can Support Recovery
As the days get longer and temperatures rise, many people naturally feel a bit more energized. If you’re recovering from oral or facial surgery—or planning a procedure—spring and summer can offer a few quiet advantages.
Hydration is easier in warmer months. Staying well-hydrated supports healing by keeping tissues moist and aiding circulation. It’s especially important after surgery, when your body is repairing itself and might be more prone to dryness due to medications or dietary changes.
Seasonal foods like smoothies, soft fruits, and chilled soups also tend to be easier on healing mouths. Many of these are nutrient-rich and gentle to chew, making them ideal during recovery.
Moderate sun exposure—even just sitting outside for a few minutes—can help regulate sleep, lift mood, and support vitamin D levels, which play a role in bone health and immune response. Just be sure to avoid overheating or direct sun on sensitive facial areas.
While surgery is never exactly seasonal, there are small ways to work with your environment to support the body’s natural healing process. And spring’s slower pace, before summer fully arrives, can offer just the right window.
Peanut Butter Banana Recovery Smoothie
From AllRecipes.com
Ingredients (makes 4 servings)
- 2 ripe bananas, broken into chunks
- 2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
- 2 cups ice cubes
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend on high until smooth, about 30 seconds.
- Serve immediately and sip carefully using a spoon or open cup (avoid straws for the first week).
Why it works for recovery:
- Bananas add natural sweetness, potassium, and a soft texture.
- Peanut butter provides healthy fats and protein to support tissue repair.
- Milk boosts hydration, calcium, and protein for bone and overall healing.
- Honey (if used) adds gentle sweetness and has mild antimicrobial properties.
- Ice keeps the drink cool and soothing post-surgery.
Serve this chilled smoothie during recovery to help keep calories up, nourish tissues, and ease oral discomfort. Let me know if you’d like a version with yogurt or dairy-free options!
All of our surgeons at Oral and Facial Surgery are board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and, with locations in Hagerstown, Maryland and Chambersburg, you’re sure to find an office nearby. Call us in Maryland at 301-791-1700 or 717-264-7828 in Pennsylvania. We look forward to answering your questions.
The information provided on this website should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition and is not meant to take the place of professional medical advice. If you think you have a medical problem, please seek the advice of a physician. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.
