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Diabetes: Preparing for Surgery
Diabetes: Preparing for SurgeryWhen you have diabetes and you're having surgery, a few extra steps can help make sure things go as well asthey can. Your care team will work hard to keep you safe, but there are things you can do to help too. Here aresome ways you can prepare for surgery when you have diabetes.First, do your best to keep your blood sugar within your target range in the weeks leading up to your surgery.Now, you're probably doing this already. But this is the time to really pay attention to it. Keeping your bloodsugar in your target range will help the surgery go as well as it can.Remember that lots of things can affect your blood sugar—like a change in your diet or activity. And stress canaffect your blood sugar too. Because there are so many things that can affect your blood sugar, you may needto monitor it even more closely than you usually do.Second, follow your doctor's instructions on taking medicines before your surgery. For example, if you takepills or insulin for diabetes, you may need to make changes to your usual routine.Your doctor will tell you exactly when and how much to take before your surgery. Third, talk to your doctorabout when to stop eating and drinking before the surgery. Surgery is safest when your stomach is empty.You may even talk to your doctor about scheduling your surgery so that it's the first one in the morning. Thismay help shorten the amount of time you go without eating. And after surgery, be prepared to closely trackyour blood sugar levels.Your doctor may ask you to do this because blood sugar levels may change as your body heals. And here'sone more thing to keep in mind. It's okay to ask questions. You know your body best.So don't be afraid to speak up and talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have about your surgery oryour health.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
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Watch this video to learn how to give a glucagon shot to a person who is having a low blood sugar emergency.
Watch this video to learn what insulin does and why diabetes causes high blood sugar.
Watch this video for tips on how to prepare for surgery.
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