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Type 2 Operation Coming Up - What to Ask at Pre-Op?

Rachox

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
17,485
Location
Oxford
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I am having an operation on my foot next month and tomorrow is my pre-op appt.. I will have to stay for one night so meals will be involved. I’m going to ask if there will be any low carb provision? I doubt it! Is there a fridge I can store my own foods in? I doubt it! So I need suggestions of what I can take to assemble some kind of dinner, breakfast and a lunch or two from store cupboard food! What else should I be asking about?
I’m expecting my sugars to go up, especially as I’m having a steroid injection in my other foot at the same time but being my first surgical experience since my Type 2 diagnosis are there any other things to consider?
Sorry, a lot of questions in one post, but didn’t think I should separate my questions into two or three posts!
 
I'm sorry to read you need an op, but presumably whatever it is for will improve things for you.

I haven't been in your situation so can't advise, but when I was last hospitalised before becoming diabetic I had some food brought in for me because I hated the hospital food so much. The nurses had a fridge for their own use and were quite happy to store a few bits for me. It may be worth asking them.
 
Good luck with the op. Speaking only for myself, since it's for one night, I would forget about the diet and concentrate on getting through the op and home again with the least possible stress. This is because I know that one or two "normal" meals won't make me feel ill. Even hospital food. Of course if a miracle happens and there is a choice of food which would suit you, grab it. But I wouldn't expect it. Take us with you (on your mobile) if you can and tell us how you're doing.
 
Good luck with the pre-op and op
Thoughts off the top of my head
Is there a canteen on site you can access? - I found the salad bar in the onsite restaurant a life saver
If theres a fridge you can use and if so hows it monitored? - I had food go missing from the one behind the nurses station
Can you use the ward microwaves to reheat food if family / friends bring things in for you?
Do they have halal or kosher choices on the menu? Where do they come from? - in my hospital the halal choices were from local curry houses and were great choices without the roti / rice. Some others on the ward had kosher choices which were also better carb wise ( not to mention taste wise)
Is there an on site shop? The hospital my mum was in recently had an onsite M&s which made for lots of acceptable choices
Cool box? Electric cool box?
 
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What happens if you opt to fast in a hospital after an op? I'm just wondering because when I had an endoscopy the nurses told me that I couldn't leave until I drank a cup of tea. (the plant had it). I'm starting to understand that I don't stick up for myself enough.
 
Rachox said:
I am having an operation on my foot next month and tomorrow is my pre-op appt.. I will have to stay for one night so meals will be involved. I’m going to ask if there will be any low carb provision? I doubt it! Is there a fridge I can store my own foods in? I doubt it! So I need suggestions of what I can take to assemble some kind of dinner, breakfast and a lunch or two from store cupboard food! What else should I be asking about?
I’m expecting my sugars to go up, especially as I’m having a steroid injection in my other foot at the same time but being my first surgical experience since my Type 2 diagnosis are there any other things to consider?
Sorry, a lot of questions in one post, but didn’t think I should separate my questions into two or three posts!
Click to expand...
My emergency food kit contains small plastic containers with nuts in one and small ready cut up sticks of chedder chesse in another. I'd also consider taking one or more of those small pots of Greek yoghurt. I'm currently contemplating buying some of those mini pots of UHT cream to put into tea or coffee instead of the milk supplied. The trouble is, I can only find them on the internet, and only single cream @ 4 g carb per 100g. Then there are hardboiled eggs. A Lidl high protein roll, if you are in the UK? Good luck!
 
Bluetit1802 said:
I'm sorry to read you need an op, but presumably whatever it is for will improve things for you.

I haven't been in your situation so can't advise, but when I was last hospitalised before becoming diabetic I had some food brought in for me because I hated the hospital food so much. The nurses had a fridge for their own use and were quite happy to store a few bits for me. It may be worth asking them.
Click to expand...
Oh yes it’s definitely worth asking if the nurses have a fridge. I’ll take some chilled stuff in a cool bag and hope that’s an option.
 
A cup of tea - you got off lightly!
Whenever Ive been in hospital, discharge has been dependent on completion of number 1’s and number 2,s, normal temperature, and a meal ( not necessarily in that order) Truth has not always been told in response to the “have you had....?.” questions
 
DeejayR said:
Good luck with the op. Speaking only for myself, since it's for one night, I would forget about the diet and concentrate on getting through the op and home again with the least possible stress. This is because I know that one or two "normal" meals won't make me feel ill. Even hospital food. Of course if a miracle happens and there is a choice of food which would suit you, grab it. But I wouldn't expect it. Take us with you (on your mobile) if you can and tell us how you're doing.
Click to expand...
I suppose that’s an option as my blood sugars will probably be all over the place. Just avoid the obvious carbs, potatoes, rice etc...
You’ll definitely all be coming with me on my phone! :joyful:
 
Boo1979 said:
Good luck with the pre-op and op
Thoughts off the top of my head
Is there a canteen on site you can access? - I found the salad bar in the onsite restaurant a life saver
If theres a fridge you can use and if so hows it monitored? - I had food go missing from the one behind the nurses station
Can you use the ward microwaves to reheat food if family / friends bring things in for you?
Do they have halal or kosher choices on the menu? Where do they come from? - in my hospital the halal choices were from local curry houses and were great choices without the roti / rice. Some others on the ward had kosher choices which were also better carb wise ( not to mention taste wise)
Is there an on site shop? The hospital my mum was in recently had an onsite M&s which made for lots of acceptable choices
Cool box? Electric cool box?
Click to expand...
Pre op I’ll be nil by mouth and post op I won’t be walking anywhere! Foot needs elevating for two weeks :eek: So I can’t explore! Halal might be an idea. I’ll definitely take a cool bag with snacks!
 
woodywhippet61 said:
What happens if you opt to fast in a hospital after an op? I'm just wondering because when I had an endoscopy the nurses told me that I couldn't leave until I drank a cup of tea. (the plant had it). I'm starting to understand that I don't stick up for myself enough.
Click to expand...
Fasting isn’t an option for me, my blood sugar just goes up and up, it’s going to be bad enough starving pre op!
 
Good luck Rachox. Keep testing, especially after the steroids. I have no idea if a general anaethetic affects bg, perhaps other members have some ideas but definitely worth asking.
 
Yes, I'd like to hear how you deal with it. As a man I can only do one thing at a time so I would be shovelling in everything they gave me and waiting to head for the exit. The precautions mentioned by others on here are very interesting.
 
Alexandra100 said:
My emergency food kit contains small plastic containers with nuts in one and small ready cut up sticks of chedder chesse in another. I'd also consider taking one or more of those small pots of Greek yoghurt. I'm currently contemplating buying some of those mini pots of UHT cream to put into tea or coffee instead of the milk supplied. The trouble is, I can only find them on the internet, and only single cream @ 4 g carb per 100g. Then there are hardboiled eggs. A Lidl high protein roll, if you are in the UK? Good luck!
Click to expand...
Oh yes Lidl rolls! Just remove the filling from NHS sarnies and put it in a Lidl roll, brilliant idea!
 
Boo1979 said:
A cup of tea - you got off lightly!
Whenever Ive been in hospital, discharge has been dependent on completion of number 1’s and number 2,s, normal temperature, and a meal ( not necessarily in that order) Truth has not always been told in response to the “have you had....?.” questions
Click to expand...

See it's been so long since I've had a stay in hospital I'd forgotten. Your reply has brought back memories. I'd just had my gall bladder removed - keyhole didn't work so I had been turned into a pyjama case. The surgeon said I could go home as per the keyhole, I was so happy the nurses weren't and had a head fit. They conspired to ensure that I couldn't get my prescription for painkillers for several days. Surgeon you can go home Thursday, me I went home Saturday. The nurses did have my best interests in mind given that I was being violently sick due to being allergic to the anti inflammatories.
 
I have no experience of a stay in myself, long may that continue, so no real help. Others above have some good shouts.
Anyway, hope it goes well and you're in and out and then up and about.
 
What to ask at pre-op?

OK, so there may be a standard order set for patients with T2DM. Ask about this at your pre-op appointment. If they do use a standard order set, ask what orders they include.

Blood Glucose testing: For example, there may be a standard requirement for blood glucose (BG) testing (such as fasting and every 4 hours), along with standard treatment orders for BG's above and below certain pre-determined parameters. So you may receive insulin if your BG goes above a certain level, and likewise, you may be given a snack (some crackers) if it goes below a certain level.

Diet: Also be sure to ask about the diet order. Do they order a 'consistent carbohydrate' diet for patients with T2DM? If so, it will in all likelihood contain way more carbs than you are used to eating. Ask for the number of carbohydrates per meal (and don't be surprised if it is along the lines of 60gm/65gm/60gm for the 3 main meals of the day:banghead:).

In general, standard hospital T2DM order sets do not take the needs of those of us who follow a sensible LCHF approach to managing our illness into account. Definitely bring your low carb stash along with you, and eat what you know you can eat from your tray!

Also, have the fridge stocked with food you can eat for when you get home as you may be off your feet for a while! Good luck with everything!:)
 
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