Category: Preparing for Surgery

Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

Improved Recovery From Surgery with CF(Preop)®

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date June 22, 2020
No Comments on Improved Recovery From Surgery with CF(Preop)®

Our team of nutritionists get asked one question pretty darn frequently: “What’s the magical ingredient in ClearFast that helps you recover from surgery?” Patients and clinicians so often want to know what the one secret ingredient is in our formulation that makes for reduced length of hospital stay, decreased risk of infection, decreased risk of post-op nausea, and a stronger, smoother surgery recovery. Today, then, we thought we’d dive into this frequently asked question to serve up some clarity. Read on for the answer!

What’s the secret ingredient in CF(Preop) that helps you recover from surgery?
Ah, we wish it was that simple, but—spoiler alert—there’s actually no magical ingredient that does the job on its own. Instead, every single ingredient in our anesthesiologist-developed formula works together to create a smoother surgery and enhanced recovery.

Why isn’t there one star ingredient in CF(Preop) that helps you recover from surgery?
When a board-certified anesthesiologist was working to develop ClearFast, she did so with one goal in mind: to empower patients to take control of their surgery experience. She saw so many patients coming in for surgery under- or mal-nourished (especially after following the old-school “nothing from midnight” fast)—which led to an array of complications like surgical infections and a slow, complicated recovery.

Both modern medical research pointed to the fact that going into surgery nourished—instead of starved and dehydrated—was the key for a smoother, faster surgery recovery. (The healthier and better nourished you are before surgery, the faster and stronger your recovery after surgery.) So, instead of focusing on finding one “magical” ingredient, she developed a formula that contains exactly what patients need—and in the precise quantities they need it—for powerful clinical nutrition and medical-grade hydration in one proven product.

What ingredients in CF(Preop) help you nourish before your procedure and recover from surgery?

We’re so glad you asked! Our formula leverages a handful of natural, science-backed ingredients proven to enhance your surgery recovery in one tasty presurgery drink. They include:

Zinc Sulfate: Supports the immune system to keep you strong and safe as you enter surgery
Vitamin A: Has powerful antioxidant properties
L-Citrulline: Promotes circulation and wound healing for a faster recovery
Filtered Water: Ensures you (and your veins) are hydrated for easier IV “sticks”
Citric Acid: For kidney health and free radical neutralization
Maltodextrin: Complex carbs for medical-grade nourishment and reduced muscle-mass loss

Is there anything you leave out of CF(Preop)?

Every product we formulate here at ClearFast—from our presurgery drinks to our plant protein drinks—are designed to help you nourish naturally, so you’ll never find added sugars, artificial ingredients, or unnecessary fillers in anything we make.

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Ready to start working doctor-trusted, patient-preferred premium clinical nutrition into your presurgery nutrition plan? You can order CF(PreOp)® here. And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Preparing for Surgery

Importance of ERAS® in a COVID-19 World

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date May 20, 2020
No Comments on Importance of ERAS® in a COVID-19 World

As COVID-19 is now a part of our daily lives, it’s so important patients do everything they can to ensure their body is strong and healthy as they enter a hospital setting for surgery. Today, then, we’re diving deep into ERAS® (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) and why it’s more important now than ever. Read on for everything you need to know about a safe surgery and strong recovery—even during the crazy times of Coronavirus!

What is ERAS?

We’re glad you asked! Enhanced Recovery After Surgery—known in the medical field as ERAS—is a program all about facilitating a faster recovery by taking proactive steps before surgery to reduce the amount of stress the body undergoes during surgery.

What is the ERAS program?

ERAS programs focus on implementing different practices to ensure recovering from your procedure is as safe, healthy, and seamless as it can be. These programs are comprised of 17 key elements for your doctors to follow—like pre-admission counseling for patients, the use of short-acting anaesthetic agents, and fluid-fasting with a presurgery drink in place of the traditional “no food or drink after midnight” fast. When you and your doctor follow the elements of an ERAS program, they work together to ensure better surgical outcomes and—just like its name says—an enhanced recovery after surgery.

Why does ERAS matter more now?

There are a few reasons following ERAS is more important during COVID-19 than it’s ever before been (though we’d argue it’s always pretty darn important!).

The first is that surgery stresses and suppresses your immune system, which isn’t ideal as hospitals are battling COVID-19. If you have to be stuck in a hospital for surgery during a pandemic, you want to make sure your immune system is as strong as it can be to handle any unwelcome invaders that might come its way—and following an ERAS program is one of the most effective ways you can do this. (Psst..check out a few other ways you can give your immune system a boost before surgery).

The second is that getting out of a hospital fast is pivotal in the midst of a pandemic. Both for your safety (most importantly!) and to help keep resources available for COVID patients, you don’t want to spend any more time than is necessary in a hospital bed. The great news is that ERAS programs are proven to shorten hospital stays. In fact, according to a PubMed analysis of randomized trials, “Three of four included studies showed significantly shorter primary lengths of stay for patients enrolled in enhanced recovery programs.” So, following an ERAS program is a great way to get you out of those scratchy hospital sheets and back home safely, faster.

How can I implement ERAS protocols before my surgery?

The act of undergoing anesthesia is super stressful on the human body. Because of this, the idea behind ERAS is to prepare our bodies for that stressful experience in a more purposeful way than we have in the past. There are a number of things you can do to implement an ERAS protocol before your surgery, including:

Quit smoking and avoid alcohol
Exercise and lose weight if needed
Make healthy dietary choices and implement a presurgery nutrition plan before your procedure
Replace the “nothing from midnight” rule with a specific fluid fast with CF(PreOp)®

Psst…lingering on that last bullet-point and wondering why ERAS has you replace the nothing-from-midnight fast with a fluid fast using a clinical nutrition drink like CF(PreOp)®? Practices that have patients refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight are outdated and can lead to post-op nausea and vomiting (PONV) amongst other issues. Instead, modern medical research points to the fact that replacing the old-school nothing-from-midnight fast with a clear, carbohydrate-rich beverage leads to a reduced risk of aspiration, a decreased chance of PONV, a faster recovery, and a shortened overall hospital stay. Sign us up!

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Ready to start working doctor-trusted, patient-preferred premium clinical nutrition into your everyday diet as you focus on following proven ERAS protocols for your upcoming procedure? You can order CF(PreOp)® here or CF(Protein)® here. And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Healing Tips Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition Wellness + Medical Tips

Clearfast Clinical Nutrition for Surgery

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date March 16, 2020
No Comments on Clearfast Clinical Nutrition for Surgery

We talk a lot about clinical nutrition here at ClearFast. So, today, we thought we’d break down everything you need to know about this all-important medical term—including what it is and the difference it can make in your health journey. Read on for all you need to know!

What is clinical nutrition?
Simply put, clinical nutrition is nutrition designed to support your medical journey and help you achieve optimal health. A clinical nutrition plan will take into account how your body processes, stores, and discards food for your overall well being—as well as your medical history and the results of any laboratory tests. Clinical nutrition is designed to support you with the necessary vitamins, proteins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs when your health isn’t at its best. It aims to help patients achieve a healthy energy balance and is used in both in- and out-patient healthcare settings.

How is clinical nutrition used?
That’s a great question! While the end-goals of clinical nutrition may vary depending on the patient, they’re always health-based. Some things it can be used to achieve include:

Preventing diseases (By boosting “good” cholesterol and reducing unhealthy triglycerides, clinical nutrition can help decrease your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.)
Optimizing your everyday diet
Optimizing your nutrient intake
Treating/minimizing/managing symptoms of autoimmune diseases or other ailments
Increasing the chance of a successful surgery
Enhancing/speeding up recovery after surgery

What clinical nutrition options are available?
When it comes to clinical nutrition, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution—but there is an array of options you can explore when it comes to working clinical nutrition into your everyday life. These include:

Personal clinical nutritionist: Speak to a clinical nutritionist about optimizing an everyday nutrition plan that’s right for you. This can be an especially great route to go if you suffer from any health ailments or diseases and are struggling to manage your symptoms. A clinical nutritionist will look at your health history, the way your body processes nutrients, any allergies you might have, as well as your symptoms to help you create a custom clinical nutrition program designed to ensure you feel your best.

CFpreop®: Developed by an anesthesiologist, CFpreop is a premium clinical nutrition presurgery drink designed to help your body easily—and quickly—get the nutrients it needs to enter surgery stronger and recover quicker. Each of its science-backed ingredients work together to decrease infection rates, lower feelings of anxiety, reduce post-op nausea and vomiting, and speed up your recovery. The best part? CFpreop uses only high-quality, all-natural ingredients—so you’ll never find dairy, gluten, synthetic ingredients, or artificial sweeteners in any bottle of CFpreop. Plus, its ingredients are ethically sourced and every bottle of CFpreop is formulated at the ClearFast lab in the United States to ensure unparalleled product integrity.

CFprotein®: Our answer to the old, outdated clinical protein drinks that have been on the market for years, CFprotein is a super effective, industry-leading option for patients seeking premium clinical nutrition at an affordable price-point. A clean plant protein drink designed to get patients strong and healthy in the weeks leading up to and following surgery, CFprotein offers a quick, convenient way to give your body the premium clinical nutrition it needs to enter anesthesia stronger and recover faster. Supplementing a healthy diet with CFprotein helps you build a solid nutritional foundation for your upcoming procedure, so you can avoid going into surgery under- or malnourished. While CFpreop is designed to drink in the hours leading up to surgery (helping you get premium clinical nutrition in the critical fasting window), CFprotein is designed to drink in the days, weeks, and months leading up to surgery.

PRO TIP: While ClearFast drinks are anesthesiologist-developed and designed with surgery in mind, they’re also great for working premium clinical nutrition into your everyday nutrition plan—even if you don’t have a procedure on the books! Whether you’re hydrating after a night of overindulging, treating your kiddos to tasty hydration (sans artificial sugars and colored dyes) on the sidelines of a soccer game, or looking for a quick-and-easy way to meet your daily protein requirements—both CFpreop® and CFprotein® have an array of uses that go far beyond the four walls of an operating room.

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Ready to start working doctor-trusted, patient-preferred premium clinical nutrition into your everyday diet? You can order CFpreop here or CFprotein here. And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Featured Posts Pediatrics Preparing for Surgery

Prepare For Surgery with CF Nutrition’s CF(Preop)®

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date February 15, 2020
1 Comment on Prepare For Surgery with CF Nutrition’s CF(Preop)®

If you or your little one has a first-time surgery on the books and you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Surgery can be scary and stressful for those who’ve undergone anesthesia multiple times—let alone for those who have never had a procedure before and aren’t quite sure what to expect. At ClearFast, it’s always our mission to empower patients with the tools, resources, and premium clinical nutrition they need to take control of their surgery experience—which is why we’re diving into our CFpreop presurgery drink today and offering up three ways it’s helpful for first-time surgeries. Read on for our top tips!

1. It calms nerves.

While CFpreop can do everything from decrease your risk of developing a surgical infection to speed up your recovery time, one of its most important benefits is peace-of-mind. Entering surgery after a 12-hour fast can have your nerves at an all-time high, which is why safely nourishing during the fasting window with our anesthesiologist-developed presurgery drink is key for those undergoing a procedure for the first time. In fact, patients who drink CFpreop before surgery are often less anxious and describe themselves as up to 5 times more comfortable than their cohorts who underwent the old-school nothing-from-midnight method.

2. It’s especially helpful for children.

Outside of nerves and fear, one of the most difficult things for children undergoing a procedure is often the nothing-from-midnight fast. Because our presurgery drink was developed by an anesthesiologist specifically to address the nuances of nourishing before surgery without disrupting your doctor’s instructions to fast, it’s the perfect option for little ones who have trouble skipping their morning juice box or breakfast. Available in white grape, watermelon, and strawberry flavors, our presurgery drink is especially tasty when chilled and, because it’s chock-full of complex carbs and medical-grade nutrients, it helps kids feel full and satisfied before surgery.

3. It reduces your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting.

If you’ve never undergone anesthesia before, you don’t know just how your body will react to it, which is why it’s important to take steps to ensure your body is in the strongest, safest state possible to be administered anesthesia. According to an article published in Continuing Education in Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain, one in three patients suffer from post-op nausea and vomiting (or PONV)—something that can delay your recovery and extend your hospital stay. The key causes of PONV are two-fold: First, prolonged fasting (from the typical nothing-from-midnight fast) causes an unnecessary build-up of stomach acid, and these stomach acids are one major cause of feeling sick when you wake up from surgery. Second, the anesthesia drugs themselves, taken on an empty stomach, can cause patients to get sick after surgery.

Our anesthesiologist-developed presurgery drink, then, was specifically formulated to address this issue. Drinking CFpreop before your procedure ensures your stomach isn’t producing all of those nasty stomach acids that make you sick when you’re administered the anesthesia, helping to reduce your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting (and getting you out of the hospital faster!).

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Overall, if you’re looking for a smart, simple, science-based solution for a smoother first-time surgery and easier recovery, and quicker hospital discharge, CFpreop is here for you! You can order your bottles of CFpreop here, and, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Featured Posts Preparing for Surgery Wellness + Medical Tips

Pre-Surgery Plan for Success

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date December 16, 2019
No Comments on Pre-Surgery Plan for Success

Surgery can be a major stressor on your body, but you can combat the effects of that stress (and speed up your recovery) by ensuring you’re strong, nourished, and healthy before you head into your procedure. To help you on your road to a seamless recovery, we’re breaking down five simple ways to get healthy for surgery. Read on for our top tips!

Shift your mindset and treat yourself to wellness.

Rather than thinking of getting healthy as a daunting, diet-laden task, shift your mindset and think of it as a treat (hear us out). Getting healthy doesn’t (and shouldn’t) be all crash-dieting and early-morning trips to the gym. Instead, make getting healthy for surgery exciting and fun by embarking on wellness experiences you’ll actually look forward to. Think about things like salt-room meditation sessions, athletic massages, getting extra rest, or treating yourself to soothing wellness products like the essential oils and organic lip balms you’ll find in the ClearFast Healing Boxes.

Look for existing opportunities to exercise.

If you’re someone who loathes traditional workouts, it might seem like a major chore to get healthy for surgery, but there are plenty of opportunities to burn a few extra calories hiding in your everyday routine that don’t require a gym membership. Park further from stores so you’re encouraged to walk a bit more; take the stairs instead of the elevator; bike to work instead of hopping in your car if it’s feasible; walk to pick your child up from school instead of driving. The options are endless. The key is simply to take a look at your everyday routine and see what opportunities there are to move more!

Get plenty of protein (the good kind).

Rather than getting all of your protein from animal sources, which are often high in fat and hard to digest, opt for clean plant protein sources as you work to get healthy for surgery. One seriously simple way to consume clean protein on a daily basis? CFprotein®, our clean plant protein drink that was specifically formulated to drink in the days and weeks leading up to your surgery, helping you enter anesthesia stronger and recover from surgery faster. (Want to know more about how our clean plant protein drink compares to animal protein? Check out our post on 4 Reasons You Should be Drinking a Plant-Based Protein Drink.)

Participate in challenges

Calling all competitive spirits! One exciting way to get healthy for surgery is to participate in challenges. Whether it’s a yoga studio’s 30-day challenge or a challenge you set for yourself to get at least 4,000 steps in each day, challenges are great motivators and add a fun-factor to things we might otherwise dread.

Eat Clean

We saved the most effective for last. There’s no better way to get healthy for surgery than to feed your body the nourishment it needs in the weeks leading up to your procedure, ultimately giving it a strong, solid foundation to recover as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Get plenty of fiber through things like nuts, berries, avocados, whole grains, and vegetables; swap out the red meat in your recipes for lean meat (like turkey meat); and drink plenty of water and healing fluids like CFpreop® along the way.

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Now that you’re nourished, exercised, and healthy for that upcoming procedure, it’s time to order your CFpreop® and CFprotein® for a seamless stay and enhanced recovery. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Featured Posts Healing Tips Preparing for Surgery

Pre Surgery Planning & Information

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date November 21, 2019
No Comments on Pre Surgery Planning & Information

An overnight hospital stay isn’t exactly something you look forward to—but it can be made a little bit easier by packing the right things. From the everyday essentials to the comforts of home, today we’re breaking down everything you should pack when prepping for a hospital stay.

The Essentials: Your Medical Information

Start by gathering all of the essential medical information and ID cards you’ll need. This includes things like:

ID cards
Insurance cards (PRO TIP: If you’re someone’s dependent, make sure you know the plan holder’s DOB and social security number.)
Address Book or phone entry with your emergency contact numbers
A list of medications with dosages
Any relevant health records

If you’re a print person, place hard copies of everything in the list above in a physical folder. If you’re all about digital ease, create a single file you can access from your phone that contains digital copies of everything. Either way, you want to keep everything in one single, safe place for a streamlined, stress-free process. (The last thing you want to have to think about during an overnight hospital stay is where your list of medications is or what in the world happened to your insurance card.)

The Comforts of Home: The Things You Need to Relax

The easiest way to make your overnight hospital stay as painless as possible? Bring along the comforts of home. Ask yourself what it is that makes you most relaxed at home (listening to music, doing a crossword, watching your favorite show, listening to an audio book, reading)—and then bring along the items you need to make that happen. This includes things like:

Laptop or tablet
Chargers
Headphones
Extra blankets
Pillows
Magazines
Books

The Little Things That Make a Big Difference: Must-Haves for a Happy Hospital Stay

From chapstick to your favorite water bottle, there are a number of seemingly small things that can make a major difference in your comfort level during an overnight hospital stay. A few of our favorites include:

Chapstick
Comfortable socks
Earplugs
Healthy snacks
CF PreOp

Ready to start packing? Download our complete overnight hospital stay packing list here.

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Aside from a great packing list, the best overnight hospital stays benefit from a tailored presurgery nutrition plan. Learn all about what to eat before you head into the hospital, then order your CF PreOp and CF Protein for a seamless stay and enhanced recovery. And don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Featured Posts Pediatrics Preparing for Surgery

Surgery Tips for Moms: 3 Things Every Mom Should Plan For Before Her Procedure

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date November 7, 2019
No Comments on Surgery Tips for Moms: 3 Things Every Mom Should Plan For Before Her Procedure

No one loves the idea of having surgery—but, for moms, the stress surrounding surgery can run deeper than it does for most. When you’re the backbone of your family and responsible for keeping schedules in tact and kiddos on track, having a procedure can put a serious wrench in your daily duties. Today, then, we’ve rounded up the three major things every mom should plan for before surgery. Read on for our top surgery tips for moms.

How will this disrupt my schedule?

When it comes to surgery tips for moms, preparing for a disrupted schedule is at the top of our list. Think through your daily schedule and take note of how your surgery might affect things. This includes the weeks leading up to surgery (consider your pre-op appointments and how that might affect the schedule you have laid out for those days), the surgery day itself, and your recovery time. Walk through your days and the things you’re responsible for every day (driving kids to school, getting to work, etc.). Make a list of which tasks you won’t be able to complete on which days, and then enlist the help of a spouse, family member, or friend to take over things for you. If your kids are old enough, talk to them about your upcoming procedure and prepare them for how it may affect their day-to-day schedule as well.

Are there measures I can take to speed up my recovery?

This one is a biggie—particularly if you and your family are the active and involved type, or if you have a demanding job (outside of the already-demanding job of being a mom, of course). No mom wants to be stuck in bed with a to-do list that’s piling up. Luckily, the way medical professionals have prepped patients for surgery has changed in recent years. Rather than scheduling a ride home from the hospital, fasting from midnight, and calling that proper surgery prep—modern medical research now points to the fact that presurgery nutrition has everything to do with how well (and how fast) you recover.

When it comes to surgery tips for moms, we recommend supplementing a healthy diet in the weeks leading up to surgery with CF Protein, a plant-based protein drink designed to get you strong and healthy before your procedure. Then, for the hours leading up to your procedure, talk to your doctor about replacing the from-midnight fast with a liquid fast using CF PreOp. CF PreOp was developed by an anesthesiologist and is chock-full of healing minerals, nutrients, and complex carbs specifically formulated to reduce your risk of surgical complications, reduce your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting, and speed up your recovery.

What will our everyday life look like as I recover?

As a mom, it’s completely natural to want to get back on your feet—and back to keeping your household in order—as quickly as possible, but pushing too hard before you’re fully healed can lead to further complications and, in the worst instances, a need for a second surgery. In order to ensure healthy healing, make sure you follow your doctor’s release instructions carefully and closely—and prepare your household and those around you for your recovery. Here are a few of our favorite surgery tips for moms planning for a smooth recovery:

Prepare your household if you’re having an orthopedic procedure. Create a healing area that’s free from trip hazards. Make sure everything you’ll need is within arm’s reach. Take hard-to-reach items out of top cupboards and place them on easy-to-reach counters.

Talk to your kids about what your recovery will look like and how they can help make things easy on you (increased chores and pitching in, quiet time as you sleep, etc.).

Arrange for someone you can lean on. Talk to a spouse, partner, or a family member who can trust to take over your responsibilities (car rides, laundry, grocery shopping, etc.) as you recover. Be sure you give them lists, calendar invites, emergency contacts, and anything else they might need to help ensure things run smooth as you recover.

Get meals taken care of ahead of time. Meal prep and grocery shop as much as you can ahead of time to alleviate your responsibilities as you recover. Make large batches of soups and/or casseroles you can freeze for easy dinners, stock the house with more groceries than normal (so you don’t have to make unexpected trips to the store), and—when all else fails— don’t be afraid to enlist the help of a grocery- or meal-delivery service.

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Ready to start your surgery experience off right, moms? Order your ClearFast PreOp here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all.

Preparing for Surgery

Terms And Information To Prepare For Surgery

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date September 5, 2019
No Comments on Terms And Information To Prepare For Surgery

If there’s one thing we’re all about at ClearFast it’s empowering patients before their procedure. A huge part of that empowerment? Arming yourself with knowledge. Anyone who’s spoken to a medical professional at some point in their life knows that physicians tend to speak an entirely different language—and asking them to simplify their statements can be intimidating. To help you on your quest for surgery enlightenment, then, we’re breaking down 5 medical jargon terms you should know before going under the knife. Read on, word wizards!

ERAS®

ERAS® (pronounced e-raz), stands for “Enhanced Recovery After Surgery”. ERAS programs are centered around facilitating a faster, easier surgery recovery by taking proactive steps to reduce the amount of stress the body undergoes during surgery. Ultimately, ERAS programs focus on implementing 17 key elements to ensure your surgery recovery is the best it can be (the elements of the program include everything from pre-admission counseling for patients to the use of short-acting anaesthetic agents to fluid-fasting with a preop drink in place of the traditional “no food or drink after midnight” fast). You can learn all about the elements of ERAS and how it makes for a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery here.

LOS

LOS stands for “length of stay” and refers to how long a patient stays in the hospital after her surgery. When it comes to medical jargon, LOS is a term patients should pay attention to, as no one likes scratchy medical sheets and—possibly even worse—bad hospital food. LOS is also important for hospitals and medical facilities, as a hospital pays a national average of $2,200 per day in expenses for an inpatient stay. On average, implementing a true ERAS® program—which includes the use of proper preop nutrition—can reduce LOS in the hospital by 1-3 days per patient, saving the hospital or medical facility money and helping the patient get back to life faster. (Talk about a win-win.)

NPO

NPO stands for nil per os, a Latin phrase that literally translates to: “nothing through the mouth.” NPO refers to the instructions to fast from midnight before your surgery (no food or drink). Recently, however, modern medical research has suggested NPO be replaced with a fluid fast instead, as patients who undergo proper fluid fasts (using a clear, colorless preop drink that’s rich in complex carbs, not simple sugars) typically have safer surgeries and far easier recoveries than patients who’ve followed the outdated NPO instructions. Learn more about why patients are being instructed to fluid fast in place of traditional NPO fasting here.

PONV

Fourth up on our roundup of medical jargon today is the acronym PONV, which stands for “post-operative nausea and vomiting”. PONV is a phenomenon that one in three patients experiences after waking from surgery (you can learn all about PONV here). Its causes are two-fold: first, prolonged fasting (remember the NPO medical jargon term we talked about earlier?) causes an unnecessary build-up of stomach acid, and these stomach acids are one major cause of PONV. Second, the anesthesia drugs themselves taken on an empty stomach can cause patients to get sick upon waking from their procedure. One major benefit of consuming a preop drink up to two hours before surgery instead of NPO fasting? A reduced chance of PONV. Time and time again, ClearFast patients name this as one of the best benefits of nourishing with ClearFast PreOp before they go under the knife: they don’t feel sick upon waking from surgery as they have in the past, which allows the hospital to discharge them sooner (woo hoo!).

SSI

We’re closing out our roundup of medical jargon today with SSI, which stands for “surgical site infection”. A surgical site infection occurs in the body at the site of the surgery/surgical incision. SSIs are typically caused by germs and can be either solely on the skin’s surface or can go far deeper. Because the body and its immune system are already in a compromised state as you’re healing from surgery, infections after surgery are serious and can even be life-threatening. One thing that’s been proven to reduce a patient’s risk of developing a SSI is pre-operative carb loading with an anesthesiologist-developed drink like ClearFast—and you can learn all about why that’s the case here.

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Ready to reduce LOS, reduce your risk of SSI and PONV, and kick NPO to the curb? Order your ClearFast PreOp here for the hours leading up to your procedure—and, to strengthen your body in the weeks leading up to surgery, don’t forget to pick up CF Protein while you’re in the ClearFast online shop!

Preparing for Surgery

Vegan Protein Drink Benefits

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date August 22, 2019
No Comments on Vegan Protein Drink Benefits

When it comes to going under the knife, your health before surgery has everything to do with how well you do after surgery. In other words, the stronger you enter anesthesia, the stronger you recover. A huge part of gaining that presurgery strength? Protein. But, not so fast—getting presurgery protein doesn’t mean diving knee-deep into a plate of red meat. Instead, CF Protein, our plant based protein drink, was designed to keep you healthy and strong in the weeks leading up to surgery, without the negative health and environmental effects associated with animal protein. Today, then, we’re breaking down 4 reasons you should kick animal protein to the curb and, instead, opt for a plant based protein drink for a better bounce back. Read on!

They’re more easily digestible.

The number-one reason to consider getting your protein from a plant based protein drink? It’s much easier on your digestive system. Animal-derived protein powders typically contain lactose (the carbohydrate that’s found in dairy products)— and proteins like whey or casein are both derived from milk. These proteins can be difficult to digest and have been associated with gas, bloating, and diarrhea (especially for those who are lactose sensitive or intolerant). Plant-based proteins, on the other hand, don’t contain any lactose or casein. Instead, they contain fiber—which aids in the process of digestion and promotes a healthy gut microbiome.

They’re more allergy and speciality-diet friendly.

Plant proteins—just like the kind you’ll find in CF Protein—are suitable options for both vegan and vegetarian diets. They’re an easy, accessible way for patients following vegan, vegetarian, or other specialty diets to get all nine essential amino acids without compromising their nutritional restrictions/requirements. Plus, plant based protein drinks like CF Protein are processed in kosher and allergy-free factories, making them safer for those who suffer from allergies than most animal proteins.

They’re far better for the environment.

Even if lactose sensitivity or following a speciality diet isn’t a concern for you, the environment likely is. Pound-for-pound, animal proteins take far more water and carbon to produce than their plant-based counterparts. In fact, just one pound of beef requires between 2,000 and 8,000 gallons of water to produce—whereas a pound of plant protein like tofu, on the other hand, requires around 302 gallons of water to produce. But that doesn’t mean plant-based protein doesn’t pack the same punch—ounce for ounce, it provides almost the same amount of protein you’d get from animal protein, with a much less harmful effect on the environment. Overall, switching from animal- to plant-based protein reduces carbon emissions, adds to the global food supply without expanding our crop lands, and significantly reduces water use.

It’s a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Consuming a plant based protein drink like CF Protein also means you’re getting a whole slew of vitamins, minerals, and fiber that aren’t often present in animal-derived protein drinks. Plant proteins are rich in polyphenols (a plant derived antioxidant), both soluble and insoluble fiber, and a wide range of vitamins and minerals. CF Protein contains chia seed oil for a significant serving of Omega-3s; mango juice concentrate for vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium; and yellow pea protein for all nine essential amino acids and iron.

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Ready to incorporate CF Protein into your presurgery nutrition plan for a better bounce back? Learn more about how it can improve your surgery experience and recovery—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Healing Tips Home Preparing for Surgery

Preparing for Orthopedic Surgery: 5 Crucial Steps to Take for a Successful Procedure

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date August 8, 2019
No Comments on Preparing for Orthopedic Surgery: 5 Crucial Steps to Take for a Successful Procedure

While every surgery requires preparation, preparing for orthopedic surgery is in a league of its own. With limited mobility and prolonged recovery periods, the thought of going under for orthopedic surgery can be daunting—especially for those who are typically very active and independent. Fortunately, there are some helpful steps you can take in advance to ensure your surgery is successful and your recovery is as smooth (and as fast!) as possible. Today, then, we’re breaking down our top 5 pro tips for preparing for orthopedic surgery. Read on for an empowered operation.

Get educated about your surgery.

A successful surgery always starts with patient empowerment. This means arming yourself with the information you need to make smart choices and address any lingering issues regarding your upcoming procedure. We recommend taking some time to sit down and write out a list of questions to ask your surgeon before you get to your preop appointment. Have your questions prepared—and make sure you bring along a pen and paper or a device to record your doctor’s answers. Questions you may want to ask include:

What time will I need to arrive for my surgery?
What is the overall goal of the surgery?
How will the surgery be performed, and who will be performing it?
Have you performed this surgery before and, if so, what were the results?
What type of anesthesia will I be administered, and who will be administering it?
Will I need to stop taking my medications before my surgery and, if so, when should I stop?
Will I be given a prescription for pain meds so I can pick those up in advance?
What are the possible risks of my operation?
How long will the procedure take?
What can I expect to experience during my recovery period?
When can I expect to start physical therapy?

Educate your physician about your personal state.

When it comes to preparing for orthopedic surgery, education goes both ways. While doctors do their absolute best to give every case the attention it deserves, they are also human—being overworked or having a packed schedule might lead to some things slipping through the cracks. As a patient, be your own advocate by coming prepared to your preop appointment with all of the information your doctor may need to perform a successful orthopedic surgery. This includes:

A clear outline of your medical history
A clear outline of your family history
A list of any allergies, sensitivities, or reactions to medications
Information about how you’ve responded to anesthesia in the past, if applicable
A list of your current medications and the daily dosage
Any x-rays, lab tests, or notes that pertain to your current condition
Your pharmacy’s address and phone number

Work on your fitness and flexibility.

While it’s tempting to want to wait until after your surgery to start getting active, working on your fitness and flexibility before you go under the knife is one of the most effective ways to shorten your recovery period. Being physically fit before an orthopedic procedure will also help you get through physical therapy more seamlessly after surgery. If possible, contact your physical therapist’s office ahead of time and ask if they can offer up notes on a presurgery routine for your specific type of orthopedic surgery. Work with resistance bands, a Bosu ball, or any other tools they recommend that help increase flexibility and strength.

Maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

Being overweight can put a ton of undue pressure on your joints. Getting healthy and achieving (or maintaining) a healthy BMI before your procedure then, is one of the most effective things you can do to ensure a successful surgery and recovery. We recommend working CF Protein, our plant-based protein drink, into your presurgery nutrition plan—it’s a smart, simple way to ensure you’re getting the specific type of nourishment and minerals your body requires before going into surgery without overeating. In addition, opt for a diet that incorporates lots of fiber, Omega 3, and complex carbs—and reduce your intake of simple sugars and meats with a high fat content.

Plan for your recovery.

Who’s going to help you recover? Who will drive you places? Is your home or recovery location going to be functional for you? Have you picked up any necessary prescriptions in advance? These are all things to take note of before you head into surgery so you’re not stuck scrambling as you recover. If your home is multiple stories, you may want to gather everything you’ll need and prepare a recovery space on one single floor so you don’t have to tackle the stairs every day. You can also move overhead, hard-to-reach kitchen and bathroom items onto an easy-to-reach counter space. And be sure to remove any tripping hazards (rugs, cords, etc.) from high-traffic areas. In addition, consider nutritional steps you can take to make your recovery easier. We recommend ordering ClearFast PreOp, our anesthesiologist-developed presurgery drink that’s specifically designed to reduce your risk of surgical infection, reduce post-op nausea and vomiting, and shorten your recovery period. Be sure to order enough bottles for both your preparation and recovery period—and refrigerate your ClearFast PreOp beforehand for optimal taste!

(Psst…wondering if ClearFast PreOp is safe to drink if your doctor told you to fast before surgery? As long as you finish your final bottle two hours before your surgery, it’s not only safe—it’s actual proven to lead to safer surgeries than fasting all together. Learn more about why that’s the case here!)

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Overall, preparing for orthopedic surgery is all about taking proactive steps to ensure a safe procedure and a strong recovery. As part of this, we recommend talking to your doctor about replacing the from-midnight fast with a ClearFast PreOp liquid fast instead. With her approval, you can order ClearFast Preop here. And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

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