Category: Preparing for Surgery

When Water Won’t Cut It: 5 Times Your Body Needs a Recovery Drink

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date July 20, 2018
No Comments on When Water Won’t Cut It: 5 Times Your Body Needs a Recovery Drink

When it comes to staying hydrated, the general population isn’t exactly knocking it out of the park. In fact, according to MedicalDaily.com, 75% of Americans may be chronically dehydrated (someone pass the water!). Though it’s a state three-quarters of us are in at any given time, being dehydrated has far more of an impact on your health than you may realize—and this is especially true when it comes to dehydration before surgery. Today, then, we’re talking all you need to know about how dehydration before surgery affects you and, more importantly, how to avoid it. Read on….and drink up!

What exactly is dehydration?

This may seem like a no brainer, but dehydration is more than just being parched (and feeling like you’d kill for a tall glass of ice water!). It occurs when more water and fluid leaves the body than enters it. Ready for some surprising stats and facts about water consumption and dehydration? We’ve rounded up our favorites below:

According to The New York Times, “Water is the single most important substance we consume. You can survive for about two months without food, but you would die in about seven days without water.”
Even mild dehydration can affect your ability to think clearly.
Dizziness, rapid heart rate, sleepiness, lack of energy, and irritability can all be signs of dehydration.
Our thirst mechanism is specifically designed to tell us when our body needs to increase our fluid intake. If you’re thirsty, you’re likely already dehydrated.
According to Medical Daily.com “60 percent of our bodies is composed of water, 75 percent in our muscles, 85 percent in our brains…”

How does dehydration before surgery affect me?

Even the smallest amount of dehydration before surgery can have an impact on your body’s ability to go under (and wake up from) anesthesia in the strongest state possible. When you’re getting ready to go under the knife, you’re already anxious (and probably overwhelmed)—add dehydrated cells into the mix, and your body isn’t exactly in an ideal state to take on the stress of surgery. The effects of dehydration before surgery include:

Painful IV “Sticks”: Dehydration leads to reduced blood flow. This can often mean it takes multiple, painful IV sticks for a nurse to find a “good” vein (the last thing you want to experience when you’re already stressed and worried before surgery).

Post-Op Nausea & Vomiting: Ever woken up from surgery and felt immediately sick to your stomach? You’re not alone: in fact, one in three patients suffers from post-op nausea and vomiting. Dehydration before surgery—combined with the strong anesthesia meds you’re administered on an empty stomach—plays a major part in this. (Psst…learn more about reducing your risk of getting sick after anesthesia here.)

An Increased Risk of Surgical Complications: It’s no surprise that entering into surgery in a weakened state can set the stage for surgical complications and a tough recovery. In fact, according to a PubMed.gov medical study, “Preoperative dehydration is associated with increased rates of postoperative ARF, MI, and cardiac arrest.”

Is it OK to hydrate before surgery?

While you should always follow your doctor’s instructions, more and more modern medical research is pointing to the fact that medical professionals should do away with the “no food or drink after midnight” rule and, instead, allow patients to safely hydrate and nourish up to two hours before surgery. (There are a number of reasons this is the case, and we break them all down here.) The important thing to note is that the “no food or drink after midnight” rule was never evidence-based, while modern instructions to hydrate and nourish before surgery are based on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (or ERAS®) programs, which consist of evidence-based protocols that are proven to enhance a patient’s recovery and make for an easier, safer surgery all together.

If my doctor says it’s OK, how do I safely hydrate before surgery?

If you’re ready to kick dehydration before surgery to the curb, start by talking to your doctor about consuming a safe, trusted presurgery drink. Enhanced recovery protocols call for a clear liquid that contains at least 45 grams of complex carbs and no simple sugars like you’d find in sports drinks (more on why sports drinks don’t cut it for curbing dehydration before surgery here). The drink should also have an osmolarity level that allows for timely gastric emptying (in other words, the beverage needs to be formulated to clear from your stomach fast).

ClearFast is the only domestically produced presurgery drink of this kind: it’s rich in maltodextrins and healing properties (zinc & L-citrulline), is clear and colorless, is free of simple sugars and colored dyes (like those found in sports drinks), is designed to clear from your stomach fast (hence the name), and is trusted by luminary hospitals across the US, who regularly use ClearFast as a key part of hydrating patients before surgery.

PRO TIP: If you’re ready to hydrate before surgery with ClearFast, the key is to ensure you follow your doctor’s orders and the ClearFast drinking instructions. You always want to make sure you’ve consumed your last bottle of ClearFast at least two hours before surgery. We recommend chilling ClearFast overnight before drinking for an even tastier treat!

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Overall, though the effects of dehydration before surgery are serious, it’s also relatively easy to avoid with the right, doctor-approved presugery drink. If you’re ready for a stress-free, complication-free surgery (and a fast recovery!), you can order your ClearFast Recovery Drink 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.

Healing Tips Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

The Ultimate Life Hack for Quick Healing: Using ClearFast For a Fast Surgery Recovery

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date July 12, 2018
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When it comes to going under anesthesia, we all want the same thing: a successful procedure and a fast surgery recovery. As much as we love a great hospital bed (hint: not at all), we have to admit there’s nothing better than getting home and starting on the recovery process! Today, then, we’re breaking down all you need to know about using ClearFast for a fast surgery recovery and speedy healing process. We’ll cover:

Using ClearFast after your surgery

Combining ClearFast with healthy meals

The ingredients in ClearFast that make for a fast surgery recovery

Other life hacks ClearFast can be used for

Now, let’s dig in…

Can I have ClearFast after surgery?

You may know by now that ClearFast is used as a presurgery drink for a less stressful and overall safer surgery experience. But, don’t throw out those leftover ClearFast bottles just because your procedure is over! ClearFast can also be used after your procedure for an enhanced healing process and fast surgery recovery. We recommend having a chilled bottle of ClearFast right when you get home from the hospital. Your stomach may still be a bit rocky from the anesthesia meds, which means you likely won’t be ready for solid foods right away. Drinking ClearFast after your surgery, then, is a great way to ensure your body is getting medical-grade hydration and nutrition without upsetting your stomach.

Can I replace meals with ClearFast while I heal?

Your doctor will make specific recommendations regarding when it’s safe to go back on solid food. Be sure you follow those instructions and, remember, ClearFast doesn’t have protein and fat—so it’s not a long-term meal replacement. Instead, we recommend mixing ClearFast with safe, doctor-recommended solid foods to ensure you’re getting proper nutrition. When combined with healthy meals, ClearFast is a super powerful tool for fast surgery recovery.

What’s in ClearFast, and how does it make for fast surgery recovery?

In addition to being clear and colorless (so it contains are ZERO harmful dyes) and gluten-free (bonus!), ClearFast is chock-full of all-natural ingredients that make for a potent, effective and safe recovery drink. These include:

Electrolytes: For optimal hydration
Zinc and L-Citrulline: Properties that help heal
Vitamin A: To support health and tissue function
Selenium: A trace mineral that acts as an antioxidant and contributes to healthy immune function.
Complex carbs: For extended energy and nutrition

Are there other uses for ClearFast that might be helpful to know about?

Of course there are! The great thing about the ClearFast presurgery drink is that it’s not just for procedures and fast surgery recovery. It can also help when you’re on the mend from a number of things, like: colds, flu, hot yoga sessions, marathons…or even hangovers! (Psst…you can learn more about using ClearFast for hydrating fast for a number of life events here.)

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Overall, fast surgery recovery is all about feeding your body the minerals and electrolytes it needs to heal itself in a healthy and fast manner. Because it’s so easy to drink on a finicky stomach (and is free of harmful dyes and unnatural ingredients), ClearFast is the perfect post-surgery drink for those who want to speed up their recovery process and get back to their everyday life with a bang!

If you’re ready for fast surgery recovery, you can order your ClearFast Presurgery Drink 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.

Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

10 Mistakes You’re Making When Preparing for Surgery

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date June 28, 2018
No Comments on 10 Mistakes You’re Making When Preparing for Surgery

When it comes to preparing for surgery, there’s so much to consider. From transportation plans to remembering to pick-up those all-important prescriptions, there are countless different tasks you can easily forget to take care of ahead of time—especially when you’re anxious and overwhelmed about going under anesthesia. To help you on your quest to ensure a smooth procedure and seamless recovery (sans unwelcome surprises!), we’ve rounded up the top 10 mistakes patients make when preparing for surgery. Read on to learn how you can plan for and avoid each.

Putting off buying crucial supplies

Whether it’s a heating pad, ice packs, ace bandages, or medications, properly preparing for surgery means stocking up on everything you’ll need to recover in comfort ahead of time. And, by “ahead of time”, we mean at least 2-3 days before your surgery. Patients often procrastinate when it comes to buying the supplies they need for recovery, only to find the drug store is sold out of them the night prior. You don’t want to be stuck without crucial supplies and meds, so be sure to purchase everything you need a minimum of 48 hours in advance. (This includes filling any post-op prescriptions ahead of time, so you don’t have to worry about waiting for your pain meds to be filled when you need them most upon waking from surgery.)

Being too shy to ask your doctor questions

We get it: doctors are intimidating. They tend to use confusing jargon or medical terms we don’t fully understand—and they’re often extremely busy, which can often make us feel like we’re a burden if we ask questions. But a good physician will understand that answering your pre-surgery questions is a crucial part of her or his job. We recommend having a list of questions to ask prepared ahead of your pre-op appointment. Bring them with you in digital or print form, and ask away at your appointment (and be sure to record the answers clearly!). Asking questions may be intimidating, but it’s absolutely essential—especially when it comes to keeping up your end of the bargain as far as recovery goes: be sure you understand when and how you’re supposed to change your dressings, what meds you should take and when, etc.

Not securing a back-up ride

We’ve seen this one happen more often than you may think: you have a ride to-and-from the surgical center secured…only to find out your driver had a last-minute emergency and can no longer take the wheel, so to speak. Be sure you have a Plan B in place to avoid this. Communicate with a back-up driver ahead of time and let her or him know when they can expect to hear from you with the final word on whether or not they’ll be needed.

Not prepping your house for your homecoming

When it comes to preparing for surgery, so many of us forget this crucial step—only to come home exhausted (and out of it from anesthesia!) and have to move pillows and blankets around, set up our spot near the TV, etc. Save your post-surgery self the trouble by preparing an area for your recovery ahead of time. Make sure everything you need is easily accessible in one area (your laptop, charging cords, television remotes, books, pillows, blankets…even a cooler with water and other items is a great idea to have nearby).

Not asking your doctor about a fluid fast in place of “nothing after midnight”

So many patients think they still have to fast before surgery, but more and more medical research is pointing to the fact that hydrating and nourishing with a clear, complex-carb-rich preop drink is a much safer and healthier choice. If your doctor recommends the old-school method of fasting from midnight, be sure you ask her or him about the option to consume a preop drink like ClearFast instead. Nourishing with a presugery drink (and we’re talking an actual presurgery drink—not the flavored sugar water that is sports drinks) has a whole host of proven benefits, including: making you feel less stressed and more comfortable prior to surgery (because you’re not starved and dehydrated), making IV “sticks” easier and less painful (veins are easier to find when we’re properly hydrated), reducing your chances of post-op nausea and vomiting, reducing your risk of surgical infection, and enhancing your recovery time. (Psst..you can read more about why you shouldn’t fast before surgery here.)

Not requesting enough time off

It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to be the hero. You think, I’m tough—I’ll recover faster than the doctors say! I don’t need to take that much time off work! But recovering from surgery has nothing to do with your physical “toughness”—no matter how strong or healthy you are, going under anesthesia is a major physical and mental stressor…and you need to allow yourself an ample amount of time to recover from that before you dive right back into your daily routine. Always play it safe when requesting time off work by asking for more—not less—time than you think you may need. If you’re able to go back sooner, great—but it’s far better than not requesting enough time off and having to make a last-minute call to your boss to request more time off.

Keeping it a secret from important people in your life

When it comes to preparing for surgery, this may be the most common mistake of them all. So many of us don’t want to worry our loved ones when we’re going under the knife—so we opt to not mention our upcoming procedure at all. Although rare, surgery can have its complications—and, should something unexpected happen, the last thing you want is for the people you love the most to be completely unaware of your situation, what hospital you’re in, how to find you, which doctor’s care you’re under, etc.

Neglecting to ask for much-needed help

For complicated procedures or those that have a longer recovery time, you may need someone to come by your house to help out with daily tasks as you recover (or even just to feed your dogs or water your plants while you’re still in the hospital). Don’t feel like you’re a burden on someone by asking—close friends and family are our close friends and family for a reason: they want to help us when we’re in need. If you feel like you won’t be able to move around very well after your surgery, consider asking for a home helper ahead of time—whether that means having them grocery shop for you, walk your dogs, or even just bring you the occasional meal (or chocolate milkshake, of course!).

Stocking up on sports drinks for recovery

Somewhere along the line, we all got the idea that dyed sugar water was the ultimate in recovery nutrition. But, it turns out, your body needs something a little different than simple sugar and harmful colored dyes to recover after surgery. ClearFast is chock-full of ingredients that make for enhanced recovery after surgery, like electrolytes (for optimal hydration), Zinc and L-Citrulline (properties that help heal), Vitamin A (to support health and tissue function), and selenium (a trace mineral that acts as an antioxidant and contributes to healthy immune function). Replace your sugary sports drinks with a beverage that’s rich in complex carbs and offers medical-grade hydration for optimal nutrition and a faster, easier recovery.

Not paying attention to the importance of scheduling

Did you know that early morning surgeries tend to go smoother than late-in-the-day ones? And have you ever heard that a good rule of thumb is to avoid July surgeries like the plague? Something so many people don’t realize when preparing for surgery is the importance of smart surgery scheduling. On top of knowing when to schedule your surgery from a statistics and success-rate perspective, you also want to consider your own lifestyle. Don’t go under for a procedure right before a big work deadline or planned travel unless it’s absolutely imperative, and if you’re having something done that requires you stay out of the sun for a while, you obviously don’t want to go in for surgery during hot summer months.

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Overall, preparing for surgery takes a whole lot of smart planning and prepping, but it’s totally worth it when your recovery is made that much easier! If you’re ready to head into surgery like a champ, you can order your ClearFast Presurgery Drink 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

What to Do Before Surgery: 3 Pro Surgery Prep Tips for an Easier Procedure & Enhanced Recovery

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date May 24, 2018
No Comments on What to Do Before Surgery: 3 Pro Surgery Prep Tips for an Easier Procedure & Enhanced Recovery

What to Do Before Surgery: 3 Pro Surgery Prep Tips for an Easier Procedure & Enhanced Recovery

Going under the knife can be scary—but with some helpful surgery prep tips, it doesn’t have to be. From scheduling your procedure for the proper time , to preparing your home, to properly hydrating before surgery, there are a few simple things you can do to make your procedure a million times less stressful—and to get a major leg up on recovery. Today, then, we’re breaking down our top three surgery prep tips to ensure a smooth and seamless experience. Read on, and get ready to go under—and wake up from—anesthesia like a seasoned pro!

Have a list of questions prepared for your preop appointment.

This one is key. We’ve all been there—you’ve had a preop appointment scheduled for a few weeks and have a great idea of everything you need to ask your doctor…but you freeze up and forget important questions when you’re in the moment. With so much on your mind and your nerves running at an all-time high, it’s almost impossible to keep a clear head and remember to ask every one of those all-important questions at your preop appointment. One of our pro surgery prep tips, then, is to prepare a list of questions ahead of time and take diligent notes during your preop appointment. Some questions you might consider asking are:

What time do I need to arrive for my procedure?
Will I need to stop any medications I’m taking before my procedure? If so, how far in advance should I stop taking them?
Can I drink a preop beverage instead of fasting from midnight so I’m not hungry and dehydrated?
Will I be getting any medications prescribed to me to take after surgery? If so, may I have that prescription now so I can fill it in advance?
What type of anesthesia will be administered?
Is it OK to workout before my procedure?
What are the possible risks or complications of the procedure?
What can I expect from the recovery process and when can I expect to return to normal activities?

Make a backup plan, fill your prescriptions and prepare your house.

You’ll need someone to drive you home after your surgery—but what happens if the person you chose gets ill, has a family emergency or even just gets stuck in traffic? As one of our pro surgery prep tips, we always recommend having a backup plan in place just in case. Ask a friend or family member to be your backup driver and caretaker should your original surgery pal have something unexpected arise.

Once you’ve secured your backup plan, it’s important to properly prep for your homecoming. You’ll want to fill any post-op prescriptions ahead of time so you’re not stuck waiting for them when you need them most. Then, make sure your house is conducive to your preop state—if you’re going under for knee surgery and live in a two-story house, for example, you won’t be able to tackle those stairs for quite some time…so make sure everything you’ll need in the immediate future (clothing changes, toiletries, pillows, etc.) is downstairs in one easy-to-access place. And, no matter the type of surgery you’re having, chances are you’ll be resting on the couch for at least a day or two, so make sure you have everything you need within an arm’s reach (your laptop, charging cords, television remotes, books, pillows, blankets, etc.—even a cooler with water and other items is a great idea to have nearby).

Nourish and hydrate with ClearFast in place of old-school fasting-from-midnight.

We saved our most helpful surgery prep tip for last. There are a number of reasons that fasting-from-midnight is an outdated practice (you can read more about why doctors are recommending patients no longer fast before surgery here)—but the overarching research is clear: sending patients into a stressful procedure without proper hydration and nutrition is counterproductive and even dangerous. Instead of fasting before surgery, medical professionals and hospitals across the globe are recommending patients drink a clear and colorless, complex carb-rich preop drink like ClearFast. Just be sure you confirm with your doctor that ClearFast is right for you! If she or he gives you the go-ahead, drinking ClearFast before your procedure has a number of benefits for your pre-op experience, your safety during surgery and your recovery, including:

Reduced Hunger & Anxiety: Rich in complex carbs and free of simple sugars and colored dyes, the ClearFast preop drink reduces the stress and anxiety that come along with being starved and dehydrated before surgery. In fact, in a large controlled study, patients in the pre-op area who drank ClearFast were 5.5-6.5 times more likely to describe themselves as “comfortable” than those who underwent traditional fasting from midnight.

Easier IV “Sticks”: We all hate being poked and prodded with IVs. And you may notice it’s even worse right before you go under the knife. That’s because dehydration from old-school fasting-from-midnight leads to reduced blood flow, which can often mean it takes nurses multiple, painful IV sticks to find a vein. Countless ClearFast customers report easier, pain-free and one-time-only needle sticks as a result of using our preop drink in place of completely fasting.

Reduced Post-Op Nausea and Vomiting: Fasting before surgery is largely responsible for the nausea and vomiting so many patients experience after waking up from anesthesia. ClearFast customers who, in the past experienced nausea and vomiting after waking from surgery, report that taking the ClearFast preop drink completely eliminated this problem for them.

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Wondering how to ask your doctor about ClearFast to set yourself up for surgery success? We’ve got you covered—read our tips for talking to your doctor about using a preop drink here. Ready to order your ClearFast for a safer, less stressful procedure and enhanced recovery upon waking? Head to the ClearFast online store for free two-day shipping on all orders!

For Med Pros Preparing for Surgery

I Was Told to Fast—So What Makes Drinking ClearFast Before Surgery Safe?

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date May 10, 2018
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I Was Told to Fast—So What Makes Drinking ClearFast Before Surgery Safe?

We can’t lie—we’re pretty excited for today’s topic. It’s a question we get asked all of the time: My doctor told me to fast, so what makes drinking ClearFast before surgery safe? Today, we’re answering that all-too-common question and so much more. We’ll cover:

Why you were told to fast before surgery
What you can’t have before surgery
What you can have before surgery
What makes drinking ClearFast before surgery safe
How drinking ClearFast before surgery makes for easier, less stressful procedures

Now, let’s dig in…

Why was I told to fast before surgery?

Fasting before surgery is a non-evidence based practice that dates back over 150 years. It comes from the fact that having food in your stomach during surgery can cause you to aspirate (aspiration is the entry of your stomach contents/food into the lower respiratory tract and lungs, which can be very dangerous during surgery). Because of this, medical professionals implemented the sweeping “no food or drink after midnight” rule.

Because of this, you can’t have the following before surgery:

Solid Foods
Colored Dyes
Fats or Proteins

Is fasting before surgery still practiced?

The answer is both yes and no (sorry, folks). While you’re not allowed to have any of the things we previously listed (solid foods, colored dyes, and fats/proteins), more and more modern medical research has proven that patients should have a complex-carb-rich clear fluid before surgery in place of forgoing all food and drink. There are a few reasons for this shift:

Patients who drink clear fluid before surgery actually have a reduced risk of aspiration as they have emptier stomachs than those who don’t eat or drink anything. (When you don’t eat or drink anything, it can cause a build-up of gastric acids in your stomach.)
Surgery is extremely physically taxing on your body. To enter anesthesia completely starved and dehydrated is akin to running a marathon completely starved and dehydrated. It just doesn’t set you up for success.

In short, more medical professionals are advising patients follow a carbohydrate fluid fast by drinking ClearFast before surgery as opposed to following the old-school, outdated fast of “nothing after midnight.”

What makes drinking ClearFast before surgery safe?

Modern medical research points to the fact that patients can have certain liquids up to two hours before their surgery. The liquid should be rich in complex carbs (as opposed to simple sugars like you’ll find in Gatorade and other sports drinks) and it must be absolutely clear (as having colored dyes in your system can interfere with the safety of your procedure).

ClearFast is safe for surgery because it:

Is not a solid food
Is completely clear and colorless
Contains NO fats or proteins

What benefits will I receive from drinking ClearFast before surgery?

Drinking ClearFast before surgery offers a number benefits that ultimately lead to safer, less stressful procedures and enhanced recovery, including:

Hydration and Nutrition: Dehydration and the electrolyte imbalance it can cause are things you want to avoid in general—but certainly before anesthesia. Sending your body into surgery is essentially like sending it to battle: it needs proper nutrition and hydration in order to best prepare for the inevitable stress of anesthesia.
Easier IV “Sticks”: Dehydration leads to reduced blood flow, which can mean multiple painful IV sticks. Many ClearFast customers report easier, pain-free and one-time-only needle sticks as a result of working the ClearFast preop drink into their surgery prep routine.
Reduced Post-Op Nausea and Vomiting: Traditional fasting from midnight is largely responsible for the nausea and vomiting many patients experience after undergoing anesthesia. Time and time again, ClearFast customers who, in the past experienced nausea and vomiting upon waking from surgery, report that drinking the ClearFast preop drink completely eliminated this problem.
Reduced Anxiety and Emotional Stress: Heading into surgery is never fun—especially when you’re tired, starved and thirsty. ClearFast works to reduce the stress and anxiety that often accompany going under. In fact, in a large controlled study, patients in the pre-op area who drank ClearFast were 5.5-6.5 times more likely to describe themselves as “comfortable” than their cohorts who underwent traditional fasting from midnight.

What if my doctor still says no food or drink after midnight?

Overall, more and more research is pointing to the fact that doctors should stop following the old-school “no food or drink after midnight” rule and, instead, should prep patients for surgery with a safe, clear, complex-carb rich liquid like ClearFast. Keep in mind, though, that you should always follow your physician’s specific instructions before surgery. If your doctor advises you to avoid all liquids after midnight, be sure to ask her about ClearFast (you can read more about talking to your doctor about ClearFast here). If she any questions about our preop drink at all, you can direct her to the medical pros section of the ClearFast site.

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Ready to set yourself up for surgery success? Order your ClearFast Preop Drink here! And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions about our preop drink at all.

Preparing for Surgery

Preparing for Surgery with ClearFast: Your Top 5 Questions Answered

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date March 22, 2018
No Comments on Preparing for Surgery with ClearFast: Your Top 5 Questions Answered

Preparing for Surgery with ClearFast: Your Top 5 Questions Answered

One of the most exciting things about ClearFast is that our team gets to be on the forefront of a major shift in the way the medical industry looks at preparing for surgery—we’re now at a time where doctors are recommending patients nourish and hydrate before surgery instead of offering up the old-fashioned advice to fast after midnight (you can read more about that shift here.)

Being on the front lines of this exciting new medical research and overall shift in pre-surgery practices means we also have a number of questions to answer from eager patients. We hear, time and time again, from patients who are ready to undergo and awake from anesthesia feeling stronger and calmer—but who still have some questions about how ClearFast works when preparing for surgery. Today, then, we’re answering your top five ClearFast questions.

1. Can I drink ClearFast if I have diabetes?

We get this one all of the time, and we’ll start by saying that every patient is different and that it’s always best to talk to your doctor. That being said, more and more research has shown that preparing for surgery with diabetes can be made more comfortable and safe with the simple addition of a clear, complex-carb preop drink like ClearFast. There are four main reasons ClearFast makes for safer, more comfortable surgery for diabetics:

It protects your critical glycogen stores: By providing your body the complex carbs it needs for energy, drinking ClearFast before surgery helps to ensure your body isn’t using up all of those ever-important glycogen stores.
It takes into account a diabetic’s ongoing nutritional requirements: By working ClearFast into your surgery prep routine and closely monitoring your blood sugar levels as part of the prep process, you’re working with—rather than completely ignoring—your body’s critical nutritional requirements.
It reduces your chance of pre-op complications: Prolonged fasting before surgery for diabetics induces a catabolic state where the body first exhausts its limited hepatic glycogen stores and then proceeds to breakdown fat and muscle as alternative energy sources. This can ultimately lead to complications like hypoglycemia and even ketoacidosis (a serious complication that develops when your body can’t produce enough insulin). Preparing your body for surgery with ClearFast helps to reduce the risk of using up all of those important glycogen stores and ending up in one of those two unsafe states.
It reduces your chance of post-op complications: Numerous studies have found that pre-op carb-loading with a complex carb-rich, clear preop drink like ClearFast can reduce your risk of post-op insulin resistance and post-op infections, as well as reduce the occurrence of post-op vomiting—all of which make managing your blood-sugar difficult, posing particular danger for those with diabetes.

Want to know more about preparing for surgery with diabetes using ClearFast? Check out our full break-down here.

2. Does the name ClearFast mean it’s a laxative?

Nope! This is another question we hear often—but, not to fear, the name ClearFast doesn’t mean it clears you out fast. Instead, “ClearFast” refers to the beverage’s osmolarity. In order to be safe to use before surgery, the preop drink you choose should be formulated to clear from your stomach, fast. ClearFast has an ideal osmolarity level, allowing for timely gastric emptying and ultimately—you guessed it—clearing from your stomach, fast. Another great way to think of the name is that it’s a clear liquid for your pre-op fast.

3. What if my doctor tells me to fast before surgery? Can I still ask her or him about ClearFast?

Each surgery and every patient is different, so you should always consult your doctor when it comes to your specific guidelines for preparing for surgery. That being said, there’s tons of research out there that concludes fasting before surgery isn’t the safest option and that patients should, instead, prepare for surgery with a clear, complex carb-rich beverage. We recommend checking out our blog on talking to your doctor about ClearFast before you head to your pre-op appointment.

4. What’s in ClearFast that makes for faster healing?

That’s a great question! ClearFast PreOp is ideally formulated for surgical patients who want to improve recovery after surgery. It contains six essential nutrients (complex carbohydrates, electrolytes, Vitamin A, Selenium, Zinc, L-citrulline) to nourish, hydrate and help heal the body. This unique formula works to:

Reduce your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting
Reduce dehydration and hunger
Ensure easier, less painful IV “sticks”
Give you an edge on recovery (Zinc and L-citrulline work to heal you faster by promoting healthy circulation and nitric oxide production, while Vitamin-A helps support healthy tissue function—combined, these properties make for a faster, easier recovery process!)

5. Can I just drink a clear sports drink instead?

Not exactly. There are tons of reasons why ClearFast is different from and better than sports drinks when it comes to preparing for surgery (and you can read them all here). Two main reasons sports drinks won’t cut it for enhanced recovery include:

They contain zero complex carbs: Complex carbs are a key part of ensuring enhanced recovery after surgery. Sports drinks are chock-full of simple sugars, which don’t nourish you when preparing for surgery.
They have high osmolarity: Osmolarity affects gastric emptying times, and higher osmolarity can mean delayed emptying (which isn’t good when it comes to preparing your body for surgery). A typical sports drink has an osmolarity of around 330 mOsm, which can lead to delayed gastric emptying. ClearFast, on the other hand, has an ideal osmolarity of 270 mOsm and is formulated to safely clear from the stomach in around 90 minutes, making it an ideal choice for pre-op carbohydrate loading.

Have any questions about preparing for surgery with ClearFast that we missed? Check out our FAQs page or contact the ClearFast team! We’re always here and happy to help answer any questions you may have to ensure you get a leg up on recovery.

Healing Tips Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

Five Surgery Success Stories: What Physicians & Patients are Saying About ClearFast Preop Drink

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date March 15, 2018
No Comments on Five Surgery Success Stories: What Physicians & Patients are Saying About ClearFast Preop Drink

Five Surgery Success Stories: What Physicians & Patients are Saying About ClearFast Preop Drink

Undergoing surgery can be daunting—but, with the ClearFast Preop Drink, it doesn’t always have to be. From reducing post-op nausea and vomiting to speeding up the recovery process, ClearFast has a number of proven medical benefits for patients undergoing anesthesia.

There’s countless research that points to why ClearFast makes for safer, easier, less-stressful surgeries—but, while we love immersing ourselves in research studies and medical journals, nothing makes us happier than hearing from patients and physicians who have their own surgery success stories. Today, then, we’ve rounded up our favorite ClearFast Amazon reviews and client testimonials. Read on for what ClearFast users are saying about the difference our ClearFast Preop Drink made in their surgery or colonoscopy experience.

“Helped Nurses Get my IV the First Try”

“I used this because it was recommended by a friend before surgery. I think it really helped, I’m usually a very difficult person to start IVs on and the nurses got it on the first try! That was worth it right there, also my anesthesiologist said that was a great idea and that he has heard good things about the product. I had a 10 am procedure so hunger wasn’t really an issue, but I didn’t feel hungry and my recovery went so well the doctor said I could go home when he was planning on keep me overnight.” – Read Brian D’s full review here

“This Made My Colonoscopy Prep So Tolerable”

“I was scheduled for a colonoscopy, but clear up to a week before, I gave serious thought to canceling. I have hypoglycemia and was worried about my symptoms if I go without protein for longer than 2 hours. By chance I found this and after reading reviews i decided to go ahead with the procedure and try this. I used Suprep (2 doses 8 oz each devided) As per instructions i had a sip of ClearFast with each sip of prep. Then also per ClearFast instructions, I drank one 2 hours before procedure, so 3 altogether. The combination of the smaller quantity prep and the ClearFast gave me the best colonoscopy prep I’ve ever had. I always dread the prep part, but it was no big deal. I barely had any hypoglycemia symptoms at all.” – Read the full review here

“Works Great!”

“I used two bottles of ClearFast. I drank one just before my eating cut off time and the other before the clear liquid cut off time. ClearFast worked just as advertised! I woke up after my surgery feeling good, voice was strong and in my right mind. It took a couple of weeks for all the surgery drugs to wear off but I was able to eat and function well considering the surgery I had. I will definitely use it again whenever I have surgery.” – Read the full review here

“Will Always Repeat this Routine in the Future!”

“I despise the oral bowel prep. Last time, I drank ClearFast PreOp along with my prep…I ‘chased’ each 8 oz. dose of the prep solution with a few sips of ClearFast PreOp to get rid of the awful aftertaste. I had a full bottle of ClearFast PreOp following the full prep and a third dose at two hours before the colonoscopy. I felt great and will always repeat this routine in the future! For my last colonoscopy, I was stuck 7 times for my IV as I was so dehydrated. This last experience was a “1 stick miracle”! I have highly recommended ClearFast PreOp to any eligible patient.” – Read the full review here

“The Way of the Future in Pre-Op Care”

“As a physician and surgeon myself, I wholeheartedly endorse this product. It is really the first of its kind in the US, and it has been a huge success in my experience. Not only do I use it for all of my own surgical patients, but I have used it as a patient myself before a procedure. It makes a tremendous difference. The drink actually tastes pretty good, especially chilled overnight, but the best thing is that you go into surgery without the starving or thirst feeling, and you are much calmer, more relaxed, and you get through it much better. I think this should be the way of the future for preop care. There is plenty of scientific evidence supporting its use; we just have to convince our anesthesiologists that it’s time to drop the “old school ways” of nothing to eat or drink after midnight, and adopt the new evidence-based practices.” – Read the full review here

Alright, I want my own ClearFast Preop Drink surgery success story!

Ready for less painful IV “sticks,” easier and quicker recovery, and to finally wake up from surgery feeling strong…rather than sick to your stomach, hungry, and dehydrated? Talk to your doctor about ClearFast and then order your ClearFast here to get a major leg up on the recovery process. (Pssst…ClearFast isn’t just for surgery, learn how customers are using ClearFast’s medical-grade hydration for everything from exercise recovery to carb-loading to hangover cures here.)

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions about the process at all.

Healing Tips Preparing for Surgery

4 Things No One Tells You About Surgery: Surgery Scheduling & Prep Tips for Better Outcomes & Faster Recovery

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date February 1, 2018
No Comments on 4 Things No One Tells You About Surgery: Surgery Scheduling & Prep Tips for Better Outcomes & Faster Recovery

4 Things No One Tells You About Surgery: Surgery Scheduling & Prep Tips for Better Outcomes & Faster Recovery

Going under the knife is something most of us will experience at least once in our lives—and it tends to be an experience we all dread. According to data from the American College of Surgeons, Americans undergo an average of 9.2 surgical procedures per lifetime, which is why it’s so important that we know everything there is to know when it comes to proper surgery scheduling and prep. Today, then, we’ll cover four major surgery prep tips, including:

Squat: the most common execution mistakes – bodybuilding – 2021 pct after steroids female culturism: francesca petitjean.

Why you schedule your surgery for the morning
Why you should avoid weekend surgeries
Which month is the worst for surgery outcomes
Why fasting before surgery is outdated (and how to safely nourish before surgery instead)

Now, let’s dig in…

Ready for a behind-the-medical-curtain look at surgery prep tips no one tells you? We’ve rounded up our top four tips for patients preparing for surgery below. Read on for some seriously empowering knowledge for that upcoming procedure.

Mornings are Best

When it comes to surgery scheduling, the time of day you choose can make a huge difference in your surgical outcome and recovery. In fact, researchers conducting a 2006 Duke University study found that surgeries scheduled between 3 and 4 p.m. had a higher rate of post-op vomiting, nausea, and pain. That same study found that patients experiencing anesthesia-related problems increased from just 1% at 9 a.m. to 4.2% at 4 p.m.

There are two main reasons researchers speculate this is the case—the first, according to a CNN article, has to do with your body’s natural circadian rhythms, which regulate your sleep/wake cycle and brain activity. These rhythms dip between 3 and 5 p.m. every single day (think of that all-too-familiar mid-afternoon crash so many of us experience at the office). You certainly don’t want your body “crashing” during surgery—the natural sleepiness we experience during that time frame every day, researchers suspect, could play a role in the poor outcomes of late-afternoon surgeries.

Many suspect the second reason for poor surgical outcomes during this time frame has to do with medical professionals changing shifts. Nurses, anesthesiologists, and other members of surgical teams typically start their shift around 6:30-7 a.m. This means they switch shifts right around the 3 p.m. mark—often in the middle of surgery. Unfortunately, these shift changes can lead to miscommunications or important information getting lost in translation. There’s also the theory that surgeons are simply tired after a long day of back-to-back surgeries and, as such, are more prone to making mistakes as the day goes on. Whatever the reasons, though, the research is clear—mornings are the absolute best time to schedule your surgery.

Avoid Weekend Surgeries

In addition to the time slot, the day of the week you schedule your surgery for can make a huge difference in your outcome and recovery as well. According to a British Medical Journal study, patients who underwent surgery on Fridays were 44% more likely to have complications than those who underwent surgery on a Monday. Medical professionals and researchers have speculated this is due to the fact that hospitals tend to be understaffed on the weekends—as well as the fact that experienced doctors with seniority tend to opt for a regular weekday work schedule, leaving the weekend shifts for their less-experienced, “newbee” counterparts.

Steer Clear of the Month of July

The worst month to schedule your surgery for? According to researchers from Johns Hopkins: July. Their study of nearly 3,000 surgeries found a higher rate of post-op complications during July than any other month of the year. Why exactly is July such a bad month for surgery scheduling? Researchers speculate it could have to do with that fact that July is the month when that year’s graduating medical students begin working as residents. So, we recommend you opt for a bright beach vacation instead of the operating room during this sunny, summer month.

Fasting Before Surgery is Outdated

Fasting before surgery is a no-brainer, right? Not so fast—according to modern medical research, fasting before surgery isn’t exactly your friend. More and more medical studies are confirming that preparing for surgery with the right preop drink (rather than abstaining from all liquids and nourishment) actually makes for a safer, more comfortable experience before, during, and after surgery—which is why so many medical professionals are changing their tune when it comes to fasting as part of surgery prep. The outdated “no food or drink after midnight” rule has actually been shown to have adverse affects on a patient’s ability to recovery quickly—after all, it makes sense that heading into a physically stressful event starved and dehydrated would be a recipe for discomfort, stress, and an increased hospital stay.

Top-rated hospitals and doctors across the world are now recommending patients prepare for surgery with a clear, complex carb-rich beverage like ClearFast. This allows a patient to safely hydrate and nourish before surgery—a simple step that has been proven to reduce pre-surgery stress, reduce post-op nausea and vomiting, decrease the risk of post-op infection, and ultimately shorten the time between going under the knife and getting to go home.

Overall, setting your body up for surgery success comes down to being proactive. Take care when scheduling your surgery—opt for early time-slots and try to schedule for the beginning of the week if possible (and always avoid the month of July). With your doctor’s approval, you can also work ClearFast into your surgery prep routine for a simple and easy way to get a major leg up on the dreaded recovery process. Order your ClearFast Preop Drink here, or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions about the process at all.

Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

Hunger and Our Emotional State: Why Fasting Before Surgery Isn’t Always Your Friend

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date December 21, 2017
No Comments on Hunger and Our Emotional State: Why Fasting Before Surgery Isn’t Always Your Friend

Hunger and Our Emotional State: Why Fasting Before Surgery Isn’t Always Your Friend

There’s a reason “hangry” has become a well-known term in our culture (merriam-Webster even added the oh-so-real adjective to its list of Words We’re Watching). Today, we’re covering “hangry” as it relates to surgery (and your recovery). We’ll break down:

The symptoms of hunger
Why entering surgery hungry is never a good idea
Why medical professionals are now recommending pre-op carb-loading with a beverage like ClearFast in place of fasting after midnight

As any restaurant host knows, hungry people can be easily (and quickly) agitated. Even those iconic Snickers® advertisements remind us time and time again: “You’re not you when you’re hungry.” Hunger and our emotional state are most definitely connected—as anyone who’s ever skipped their lunch break can attest to—and we’re now beginning to learn how hunger plays an important role in medical procedures and surgery. In fact, when it comes to fasting before surgery, an array of modern medical research points to the fact that being hangry in the waiting room may mean an uncomfortable surgery experience—and lower patient satisfaction—overall.

The Symptoms of Hunger

We all know the symptoms of hunger well—irritability, headaches, forgetfulness, dizziness…the list goes on. According to the New York Times article, A Serving of Reality with Surgical Fasts, which reported on a medical study of 155 patients, “The consequences of prolonged fasting are not trivial. Besides hunger, thirst and irritability, the researchers noted that some fasting patients also suffered from headaches, dehydration, low blood volume and low blood sugar. A third of patients failed to take crucial medications the day of surgery because they had been told not to swallow anything after midnight.”

Hunger and Surgery

Now, think about the emotional state surgery puts you in—you’re stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, nervous for what’s to come, and probably even a little bit frightened (going under can be scary, after all!). When we follow the antiquated fast-from-midnight rule, we pile hunger—and all of its symptoms—on top of an already heightened and stressed-out emotional state. It’s like sending our body to battle with no armor: The battle may be inevitable—but there are certainly proactive steps we can take to better prepare ourselves for the stressful event that’s to come…properly nourishing our body being a critical one.

The Solution

To reduce the problems posed by fasting before surgery, more and more research is now pointing to the fact that foregoing traditional fasting-from-midnight and opting for a complex carb-rich, clear preop drink like ClearFast instead may be the key to better surgery outcomes. ClearFast is essentially a “liquid food,” so it works to safely hydrate and nourish patients before anesthesia—which ultimately makes for less patient stress, a more comfortable surgery experience, enhanced recovery after surgery, and higher patient satisfaction overall.

In fact, a medical study focusing on the effects of oral carbohydrate with amino acid intake before surgery, found that, in addition to an array of other benefits, intake of a preoperative carbohydrate drink “can provide better preoperative mental health compared with complete fasting.” According to another controlled study, researchers also found that patients in the pre-op area who drank ClearFast were 5.5-6.5 times more likely to describe themselves as “comfortable” than their cohorts who underwent traditional fasting before surgery. All of this tell us that hungry people are not happy—and that being hungry (and irritated…and dehydrated…and uncomfortable) before surgery is no longer a required part of the process. We now know that patients can safely consume the ClearFast preop drink before heading into surgery—leading to less stress and a better surgery experience overall!

Ready to take proactive steps to help reduce the stress and discomfort that accompanies old-school fasting before surgery? Talk to your doctor to ensure ClearFast is right for your surgery, then order your ClearFast Preop Beverage here, or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re here to help replace stressful surgeries with seamless ones…one hangry patient at a time.

Home Preparing for Surgery

5 Tips for Preparing for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date December 7, 2017
No Comments on 5 Tips for Preparing for Wisdom Teeth Removal

preparing-for-wisdom-teeth-removal-clearfast

5 Tips for Preparing for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth removal is practically a high-school rite of passage. In fact, nearly 85 percent of adults have had their wisdom teeth removed, and just around 10 million wisdom teeth are removed each year (that’s 5 million mouths that are operated on annually!). So, how do you help your highschooler prepare for this dreaded—but common—oral surgery? Today, we’re breaking gown:

Having the right questions prepared
Stocking up on recovery items
Putting a Plan B in place
Reducing your child’s risk of post-op nausea and vomiting
Preparing your home for recovery

Now, let’s dig in…

Make preparing for wisdom teeth removal as painless as possible with these five expert tips:

Have a list of questions prepared for your surgeon

Preparing for wisdom teeth removal starts with speaking up! As the old adage goes, it’s hard to see the entire picture when you’re inside of the frame—and sometimes a doctor’s expertise and extreme familiarity with a procedure means he or she can neglect to break down the basics for those who are facing the surgery for the very first time. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Sending our kids into surgery can be scary (to say the least), so avoid stress and confusion on the day of by having a list of questions prepared for your child’s pre-op appointment. We recommend ensuring you have the answers to the following:

What time will we need to show up for the oral surgery?
Is there any paperwork we can fill out in advance?
How long will the procedure take?
Will you be using local or general anesthesia?
Will my child need to fast the night before the surgery?
Can they safely work a preop drink into their surgery prep?
What will their recovery be like and how long will the recovery process take?
Will they be sent home with pain medication or can we purchase over the counter medication?

Stock up on recovery items and fill prescriptions

The last thing anyone wants to do after surgery is head to the grocery store, which is why stocking up on recovery items is key when it comes to preparing for wisdom teeth removal. Be sure to purchase multiple ice packs (or ask your doctor if they’ll send you home with some), soft foods, soups and hydrating liquids. If your doctor does plan on prescribing pain meds for your child’s recovery, ask that they write the prescription in advance so you can fill the prescription before the oral surgery—rather than having to head to the pharmacy on your way home with a groggy, recovering child in your car.

Have a Plan B

With children under 18, a parent or guardian will need to be present before, during and definitely after the oral surgery to drive the patient home. It’s always best to ensure you’ve got one friend, family member or other parent lined up should something unexpected happen. Whether it’s a last-minute work meeting that you simply can’t miss, the dog accidentally setting off your home security alarm, or another child getting sick at school while one is in surgery—the last thing you want is to have no plan B if an unexpected emergency comes up.

Reduce the chances of nausea and vomiting with ClearFast

We’d do anything to make our kids feel a little better when they’re up against something tough, and having the comfort of some nourishment goes a long way. But how do you ensure your child is nourished when they’ve been instructed to fast after midnight? ClearFast might be the answer! More and more modern research points to the fact that working a carb-rich, clear preop drink into your surgery prep routine can make a huge difference in patient comfort and safety before and after surgery. Rather than showing up to surgery starved and dehydrated, ClearFast acts as a liquid food, safely nourishing your child before their oral surgery. This means they can say goodbye to multiple, painful IV “sticks” (which happens as a result of dehydration). Plus, ClearFast is proven to greatly reduce post-op nausea and vomiting—so you won’t have to worry about paying for a car detail job after you drive your child home. Be sure to ask your doctor if working ClearFast into your child’s oral surgery prep is right for their procedure.

Prepare your home for recovery

Preparing for wisdom teeth removal is all about being proactive. Before you head into surgery, make sure you’ve prepared a cozy, comfortable, safe recovery area for your child. They’ll likely be instructed to keep their head elevated, so have a spot set up either on a couch or bed where you can prop pillows. Collect items they’ll need (water, kleenex, ice-packs, television remote, etc.) and store them within arm’s length of their resting spot—having everything set up and ready to go for your recovering patient will mean fewer hollers of “Mom!” or “Dad!” down the hallway while you’re trying to juggle work, housework and a million other to-do’s.

Overall, preparing for wisdom teeth removal comes down to taking simple, smart, proactive steps before your child’s oral surgery. Be sure to talk to your doctor about ClearFast, and, with their approval, order your ClearFast Preop Drink here to get a major leg up on the dreaded wisdom-teeth removal and recovery process. As always, reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions about our preop drink at all!

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