She recommends having patients drink a mix of one-third apple
juice and two-thirds water, but also says diluting an electrolyte-replen-
ishing drink or low-sodium chicken are good options.
Liquids now, food later?
Dr. Wahr thinks patients should be allowed to eat buttered toast or
yogurt before surgery, but acknowledges that there aren't enough pub-
lished studies to support giving patients food before surgery. Besides,
she says, there's a more immediate step you can take to improve how
patients feel before surgery and how well they recover afterward.
"Let's first focus on getting clear liquids into more patients," says Dr.
Wahr. "That's a good place to start."
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