1. < Joint Replacements
Profile picture for shelby29

Hydration before and after TKR

Posted by shelby29 @shelby29, Jun 20 6:10pm

I read that drinking lots of Gatorade before and after surgery is good, it is so high in sugar...what's a better choice and is it even that important ?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 20 10:16pm

@shelby29 I'm not sure where you read about Gatorade, but I doubt if that advice is medically supported.

Hydration is always important, but especially before and after (any) surgery to help flush the remnants of anesthesia from your system and to promote healing. You will also probably be given IV fluids before and during surgery.
But sugary drinks are not more effective for hydration than plain water or herbal tea. Perhaps thay were thinking it was necessary to replenish electrolytes to help after the blood loss during surgery? There are a lot of electroyte replacements that are low in sugar like Propel (powder or liquid.)

Drinks to avoid or minimize are those with a lot of caffeine or alcoholic beverages. (That doesn't mean you have to give up your morning cup of coffee-just don't drink a whole pot.)

Good luck with the surgery.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for kobesnowy
kobesnowy | @kobesnowy | Jun 21 6:55am

I’m having reverse shoulder surgery on Wednesday and at the preop visit at the hospital they gave me three bottles of Ensure drink and I have to drink two bottles the night before and one bottle prior to going to the hospital

So I think you are right because this is basically the same order as Gatorade

I was under the impression you couldn’t have anything except the zip of water with your medication, but this is proven to be otherwise

REPLY
Profile picture for shelby29
shelby29 | @shelby29 | Jun 21 8:16am
In reply to @sueinmn "@shelby29 I'm not sure where you read about Gatorade, but I doubt if that advice is..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@shelby29 I'm not sure where you read about Gatorade, but I doubt if that advice is medically supported.

Hydration is always important, but especially before and after (any) surgery to help flush the remnants of anesthesia from your system and to promote healing. You will also probably be given IV fluids before and during surgery.
But sugary drinks are not more effective for hydration than plain water or herbal tea. Perhaps thay were thinking it was necessary to replenish electrolytes to help after the blood loss during surgery? There are a lot of electroyte replacements that are low in sugar like Propel (powder or liquid.)

Drinks to avoid or minimize are those with a lot of caffeine or alcoholic beverages. (That doesn't mean you have to give up your morning cup of coffee-just don't drink a whole pot.)

Good luck with the surgery.

Jump to this post

Good advice

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.