Preparation and Recovery: A Guide for Diabetics Facing Surgery

Undergoing any surgical procedure can seem daunting, especially if you're managing a chronic condition like diabetes. However, by collaborating with your doctors and following a few essential guidelines, you can navigate the preoperative period and post-surgery recovery phase effectively.

Preparing for Surgery: Tips for Diabetic Patients

The weeks leading up to your surgery are crucial. Here's what you need to keep in mind:

• Foster a strong relationship with your medical team: A coordinated approach between your endocrinologist, primary care doctor, and surgeon ensures consistent care.
• Keep blood sugar in check: Aim for stable glucose levels in the weeks before the procedure to minimise potential complications.
• Discuss medication changes: Your diabetes medicines may need adjustments before the operation — make sure you discuss this with your doctors. If the patient is having insulin, it is better to monitor sugar levels strictly  as the patient will be put on nil by mouth (NBM)  for about 8-12 hours before surgery depending upon the procedure, to avoid hypoglycemia (decreased blood sugar).
• Control co-existing health issues: If you have other health problems, such as heart or kidney disease, good management of these conditions is vital.
• Communicate allergies: Inform your surgical team about any known allergies to food or medicines.
• Stop smoking: If you're a smoker, stopping several weeks before surgery can enhance wound healing and reduce complications.

Post-Surgery Recovery: Advice for Diabetics

Recovering from an operation can be challenging. Here are some steps to help make it smoother:

• Monitor glucose levels often: Regular checks allow for timely insulin adjustments, helping maintain balance. Post surgery, start with low doses of anti-diabetic drugs or insulin as the patient will be allowed to take small quantities of food and then can increase the dosage accordingly.
• Follow a balanced diet: Opt for nutrient-rich, diabetes-friendly foods to aid healing and avoid glucose surges.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking ample water helps flush out anaesthetic drugs and other medications.
• Be mildly active: Gentle movements soon after surgery stimulate blood flow and help prevent complications.
• Keep stress and pain at bay: These can affect glucose levels, so find effective ways to manage them.
• Attend follow-up consultations: Regular appointments enable your medical team to monitor your recovery and tweak your diabetes management plan, if required.

By diligently following these guidelines, you can ease the surgical journey and recovery process. This is where the Apollo Super 6 programme comes in. It offers multifaceted support for individuals with type 2 diabetes, encouraging a healthier lifestyle, and providing tools for effective diabetes management.