Spine Surgery Enhanced Recovery Program
Your Pre-Surgery Nutrition Plan
*If you require insulin please confirm with your regular physician regarding these instructions
The night before your surgery:
The day of your surgery:
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You may drink clear liquids (black coffee, black tea, or water) up to 4 hours before your surgery.
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Drink 1 full bottle of Ensure Pre-Surgery Clear 2 hours before leaving for hospital on the day of surgery. '
Benefits of Ensure Pre-Surgery Clear
- Reduced nausea, vomiting after surgery
- Reduced insulin resistance
- Reduced time in the hospital
What is Ensure Pre-Surgery Clear Carbohydrate Drink, and what does it do?
Surgery creates unique nutrition needs for your body. Ensure Pre-Surgery is formulated for those needs with carbohydrates and antioxidants to help your body recovery after surgery.
Why is this drink important?
We have recommended this specialized Ensure nutrition drink to help your body prepare for, and recover from surgery. It's important that you follow your doctor's nutrition recommendations to help with recovery.
- Please contact your surgeon’s office if you have questions or concerns.
- If you did not receive Ensure Pre-Surgery Clear: substitute with 12 oz. 100% white grape juice, no added sugar 2 hours before leaving for hospital on day of surgery.
The Benefits of Early Walking After Spinal Surgery
Walking soon after spinal surgery is one of the most important things that you can do to speed your recovery process and prevent complications. The numerous benefits of early walking include:
- Improved blood flow
- Faster wound healing
- Improved lung function
- Enhanced muscle tone
- Shorter hospital stay
Early walking after spinal surgery helps prevent many surgical complications, including:
- Infections
- Pneumonia
- Blood clots
- Urinary tract infections
- Urinary retention
Walking to Help Prevent Postoperative Urinary Retention
What is urinary retention?
Urinary retention is the inability to completely empty the bladder. Postoperative urinary retention is a common complication of surgery and anesthesia.
What can I do to help prevent urinary retention after my surgery?
WALK! The sooner, the better! As is noted above, walking soon after surgery can help decrease your chances of urinary retention.
Please let your provider know if you have a history of urinary retention, or if you are experiencing any symptoms of urinary retention prior to your surgery.
Symptoms of urinary retention may include:
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
- Weak dribble or stream of urine
- Loss of small amounts of urine during the day
- Inability to feel when bladder is full
- Increased abdominal pressure
- Strained efforts to push urine out of the bladder
- Frequent urination
Information courtesy of the University of Michigan