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Diabetes Management

Managing your diabetes well before surgery helps you to have a smoother and safer operation and recovery.

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High glucose levels increase your risk of:

  • Poor/slow wound healing

  • Wound infection

  • Other infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection or sepsis

  • Prolonged hospital stay

  • Feeling generally unwell and delayed recovery

 

Managing your diabetes with the assistance of your GP, Anaesthetist, Surgeon, Endocrinologist, Diabetes Educator or Dietitian before, during and after surgery will help prevent the complications listed above.

Well before your surgery you should talk to your GP about:  ​

  • Your current blood sugar control

  • Reviewing your medications

  • Optimising your blood glucose level (HBA1c)

  • Getting more exercise 

  • Weight loss to bring you closer to a healthy BMI

  • Addressing complications

Ask your diabetes health professionals these important questions:
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  • Will my medication change? (for example, does my insulin dose need to be reduced if I am fasting?)

  • Am I on a tablet called Dapagliflozin (Forxiga, Xigduo, Qtern), Empagliflozin (Jardiance, Jardiamet, Glyxambi) or Ertugliflozin (Steglarto, Segluromet, Steglujan)? *If you are on this medication it will likely need to be ceased prior to your surgery.

  • What is my sick-day management plan and treatment for low glucose levels if I am fasting or on fluids before my procedure or surgery?

  • How do I manage my diabetes before and after the surgery?

For more help with diabetes see: National Diabetes Services Scheme

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