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Ensure Surgery® is a drink with nutrients that boost your immune system. Each carton provides 18 grams of protein, 45 grams of carbohydrates and 330 calories.
Why do I need to drink it?
Drinking this before surgery:
Improves nutrition
Shortens hospital stays
Decreases chances of wound infection
Helps the body heal after surgery
How do I drink it?
Drink 1 carton twice a day for 7 days before surgery. The clinic will give you 1 case (15 cartons). You should drink the remaining carton when you get home from the hospital.
Important
Drink all 14 of the cartons.
You must still drink 2 cartons the day before surgery even if you are taking laxatives.
Track when to drink the Ensure Surgery®. There is a log in this handout. Fill out the dates and mark down each time you drink one.
Do not drink Ensure Surgery® on the day of your surgery. This will cause your surgery to be canceled or delayed.
Do not drink if you have an allergy to fish (not shellfish). It contains Omega 3 fatty acids.
It tastes better chilled. If you do not like the taste of this drink, add a flavored syrup, powder, extract or make one of the recipes in this handout.
Can I drink Ensure Surgery® if I have diabetes?
Yes. You still need to drink all 15 cartons. You should drink ½ of a carton with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime. They should be stored in the refrigerator with the cap on.
Flavoring Tips
Try adding flavored syrups, powders, or extracts to a Ensure Surgery® Drink.
Syrups
1 Tbsp regular or sugar free chocolate, strawberry, or caramel syrup
2 tsp regular or sugar free flavored syrups (i.e., Irish cream, hazelnut, raspberry, caramel, mint)
2 tsp regular or sugar free liquid coffee creamers
Powders
1-2 Tbsp malt powder (dissolve in a small amount of hot water first)
2 tsp instant coffee powder
1-2 Tbsp Nesquik Chocolate or Strawberry powder
Extracts
Try ⅛-¼ tsp orange, raspberry, pineapple, cherry, maple, cinnamon, coconut, banana, almond, or mint
Who to Call
If you have more questions, please contact UW Health at one of the phone numbers listed. You can visit our website at www.uwhealth.org/nutrition.
Nutrition clinics for UW Hospital and Clinics (UWHC) and American Family Children’s Hospital (AFCH) can be reached at: (608) 890-5500.
Nutrition clinics for UW Medical Foundation (UWMF) can be reached at: (608) 287-2770.
Recipes for Ensure Surgery
Peanut Butter Banana Shake
Makes 1
Ingredients
1 – container Ensure Surgery® Drink Vanilla
2 tsp creamy peanut butter
½ banana, sliced
Directions
Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Serve right away.
Creamy Hot Cocoa
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
1 – .71 oz packet Nestlé Rich Milk Chocolate hot cocoa mix
1 – container Ensure Surgery® Drink Vanilla
Directions
Pour Impact Ensure Surgery® into a microwave safe container and heat to desired temperature (do not boil). Add hot cocoa mix and stir well.
Lemon Blueberry Cream Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
1 – Ensure Surgery® Drink Vanilla
½ cup blueberries, fresh or frozen (thawed and drained)
¼ cup light, nonfat blueberry yogurt
1 Tbsp lemon juice
Directions
Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Serve right away.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
1 – container Ensure Surgery® Drink Vanilla
½ cup sliced strawberries, fresh or frozen
½ small banana
Directions
Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Serve right away.
