Peri-Operative Nutrition

• To optimize recovery, prepare healthy and well-balanced meals with food from all the food groups. This includes protein, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and dairy or non-dairy alternatives.
• Include high quality protein such as fish, eggs, lean meat, poultry, meat alternatives, beans, low fat yogurt and cheese, legumes, and nuts/seeds. Daily needs may vary but typically 6-12 ounces per day are recommended to prepare the body for the healing process after surgery.
• Maintain a high fiber diet from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, and nuts/seeds to help promote a healthy digestive tract. Prune juice can be used to help avoid constipation.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Water is recommended, but other non-alcoholic and caffeine free beverages will work as well. Drink at least 8 cups of fluid per day leading up to surgery.
• If your doctor recommends weight loss prior to surgery, please work with a primary care doctor and/or nutritionist to ensure you have a safe plan for weight loss. Generally, no more than 1-2 pounds should be lost per week. It is important to maintain an adequate intake of nutrients to prevent malnutrition during weight loss.
• If you are diabetic, work with your primary care doctor, nutritionist, and/or endocrinologist to ensure your diet minimizes sugar intake.

• DO NOT eat any food after midnight unless instructed by your surgeon.
• DO NOT add creamer, sugar, or other additives to any beverages consumed after midnight.
• Before you go to bed, drink plenty of water and have a snack or a protein drink.
• If you have diabetes please consult your primary care physician or nutritionist to develop a plan that maintains appropriate blood sugar levels while fasting.
• Patients without diabetes should consume 2 cups of Gatorade or 2 bottles of Ensure Pre-Surgery Carbohydrate Clear Nutrition Drink the night before surgery to carb load and give the body an extra source of energy leading up to surgery.
• Patients on GLP-1 / GIP inhibitors (i.e., Ozempic, Mounjaro, Tirzepatide, Wegovy, Semaglutide,etc) should be on a clear liquid diet for 24 hours before surgery and nothing by mouth after midnight the night before surgery.

• You may NOT have anything to eat after midnight.
• You may drink clear liquids up to 4 hours before surgery, but this should be limited to less than 1 cup per hour and must fit the definition of clear liquids below.
• DO NOT consume liquids of any kind on the day of surgery if you have:
  • History of esophageal surgery
  • History of hiatal hernia
  • GERD
  • Gastrointestinal dysmotility or obstruction
  • History of slow gastric emptying from medication use: Opioids/narcotic, GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Trulicity, and others, Antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and venlafaxine, Anticholinergics, Calcium channel blockers,Anti-nausea medications such as Zofran and promethazine
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • History of difficult intubation
  • Chronic opioid use
  • Neurologic disease other than spinal condition
  • BMI > 35
• Your surgery may be cancelled if you fail to follow these instructions

Allowed

• Water
• Apple and Cranberry Juice
• Gatorade or equivalent carb containing sports drinks
• Ensure Pre-Surgery Carbohydrate Clear Nutrition Drink
• Plain Coffee or Tea (NO added milk or creamer)

NOT allowed

• Milk or dairy products
• Citrus Juices
• Prune Juice
• Juices with pulp
• Alcoholic beverages