Carbohydrate loading before your head and neck operation

What is carbohydrate loading?

Carbohydrate loading means drinking special carbohydrate-rich drinks before your operation.

What are the benefits of carbohydrate loading?

Carbohydrate loading before your operation can help to:

• Speed up your recovery.
• Heal your wounds faster.
• Reduce your time spent in the hospital.

Please note: Your healthcare team will give you the carbohydrate drinks ahead of your surgery.

I have diabetes – can I take carbohydrate-rich drinks?

Do not take these drinks if you have diabetes. If you are unsure, please ask you healthcare team.

I have a feeding tube – can I take carbohydrate-rich drinks?

If you have a feeding tube, you can take the drinks through it. Ask your dietitian or healthcare team if you need more advice.

How do I take carbohydrate-rich drinks?

The night before your surgery

At 6pm, take:

• 1 x Ensure Plus Juce®
• 1 x PreOp® drink

The morning of your surgery

From midnight to 6am:

• Do not eat any food.
• You may drink sips of water during this time.

Just before 6am, take:

• 2 x PreOp® drinks

From 6am onwards:

• Do not eat or drink anything. This includes food or fluids through your feeding tube, if you have one.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the carbohydrate-rich drinks, contact the team caring for you.