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Type 2 Glucotabs before operation

M

makfai

Member
Messages
9
Location
United Kingdom
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
I am an insulin controlled diabetic and use glucotabs if/when necessary.
I am going to have a knee replacement operation tomorrow 29/1/19. You are not allowed to eat for 6 hours before the op. If my blood sugars drop is it safe to correct it with glucotabs? How long do they remain in the stomach?
 
Are you allowed clear liquids? If so, you could use sugar water. I doubt the glucotabs are a problem though, but not completely sure.
Good luck with your operation and your new knee!
 
makfai said:
I am an insulin controlled diabetic and use glucotabs if/when necessary.
I am going to have a knee replacement operation tomorrow 29/1/19. You are not allowed to eat for 6 hours before the op. If my blood sugars drop is it safe to correct it with glucotabs? How long do they remain in the stomach?
Click to expand...
I really don't think anyone can advise on this, it could be dangerous if you are given the wrong advice
you are best to call the hospital department that are performing the operation and see what they say, a quick call is all you need to find out - good luck with the op :)
 
makfai said:
I am an insulin controlled diabetic and use glucotabs if/when necessary.
I am going to have a knee replacement operation tomorrow 29/1/19. You are not allowed to eat for 6 hours before the op. If my blood sugars drop is it safe to correct it with glucotabs? How long do they remain in the stomach?
Click to expand...


@makfai - I would suggest, bearing in mind it's mid afternoon, that you call the hospital clinic or ward dealing with your op and ask them what you should do if that happens. I feel positive you won't be the first to have asked it.

In the pre-op assessment, did they not give you a leaflet or anything? If they gave you any documentation, you might find a useful telephone number on that.

Good luck tomorrow, and hopefully tomorrow is the start of a more comfortable you.
 
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Antje77 said:
Are you allowed clear liquids? If so, you could use sugar water. I doubt the glucotabs are a problem though, but not completely sure.
Good luck with your operation and your new knee!
Click to expand...
I am allowed clear fluids so I agree that a sweetened drink is preferrable. My concern with gkucorabs is that they may leave a deposit in the stomach. I thought someone would have had some experience.

I notice that my local NHS Trust (they are not doing my op) refer to using glucose tablets asan alternative to remedy a blood sugar drop but my concern really concerns tge amont of time the 'powder' is retainedin the stomach.
 
lovinglife said:
I really don't think anyone can advise on this, it could be dangerous if you are given the wrong advice
you are best to call the hospital department that are performing the operation and see what they say, a quick call is all you need to find out - good luck with the op :)
Click to expand...
Thank you for your kind words. I am looking forward to reclaiming my mobility. I havecontacted a couple of hospitals and the consensus is that this may simply boil down to the individual anaesthetist's opinion. I will stick with the clear liquid!

I have emailed the gkucotabs manufacturer but had no reply.
 
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