What are your thoughts on immune system supplements before and after surgery?

[Bwtbbb]

Would it be useful to have our immune system working as well as possible to prevent infection?

[Bigdave]

I had a large antibiotic injection with my IV when I had the surgery.
My doctor said it would remain in my system for a week or more as a precaution.

I was scheduled for a deep cleaning with my dentist shortly after surgery, but after discussing with the dentist, we decided to delay it until they consulted with my surgeon regarding infection risk and any recommendations for more antibiotics.

[Cnidium]

"Immune boosting" supplements can come in all shapes and sizes. IMO, most are not effective. Most supplements in general are worthless IMO.

I think the best place to start is using a tool like cronometer, determining where you are falling short in micro nutrients, trying to fill those gaps as much as possible with actual food, and using very specific supplements to fill in any last spots.

If your nutrition game is on point, then there are some supplements that may help boost immune health. I think saccharomyces boulardii and cervasie are the two best options if you are going on antibiotics, as they help mitigate infection from c. diff and other nasties while you are vulnerable.

[Gt1956]

I'd suggest to let your body do its job. It's surprisingly effective if treated right. Eat reasonbly healthy, be modestly active for your age/health, if you're diabetic or even boderline diabetic concentrate on getting your blood glucose down. The health vs infection advice from my dr was that your glucose levels during the early part of recovery is crucial for infection risk. Also, he says to avoid sick people, by this he meant to avoid getting hospitalized. Hospitals are loaded with more aggressive bugs.
I trust his recommendations. He has spent time in the past doing urology research. Been listed on some studies. He has seen the stuff that ups your risk of infection.
During surgery I got a whole bag of antibiotics that lasted for several days, my AMS implant had antibiotic coating. I was given a prescription for 1 days worth of some super duty antibiotic pills that several pharmacies didn't even carry.
I trust modern medicine more than untested supplements that might not have the quanities of the listed ingredients in them. Supplements are exempt from Federal testing......why. Oh, a Senator from my state helped push that exemption through congress many years ago.

[SWorks17]

I had my implant done at a military hospital in San Antonio, Texas I had a full pre-op screening to make sure I was healthy enough for the surgery. The surgery was done during the COIVD pandemic, toward the end in 2021, and I felt confident with the surgery, they did give me a 5 day antibiotic regimen right before the surgery. I was tested for MRSA and COVID and both came back negative.
I would say as long as you don't have any serious underlying issues that will show up during the pre-op screening, just eat healthy and continue to exercise right up to the surgery date.

I only take supplements that show to be deficient during my annual medical physical, which for me has only been B-12 the last 5 years.

Good Luck,
Sworks17

[stmfttr]

Bwtbbb,

Ask your doctor?

Those three words could and should be repeated on this site, over & over again.
You better trust the person that cuts on you.
IMHO,
stmfttr

[Gt1956]

I guess that I should tell about my lab work. I had blood & a urine culture done about 3 weeks before my surgery date. I got an urgent phone call from my drs nurse. She said that my urine culture had some bacteria in it. Shocked me cause I didn't have any signs of a bladder infection. She hurriedly sent a 10 day antibiotic prescription to my pharmacy. Said I had to be done with the antibiotics for 5 days before a retest could be done. I looked at the calendar & that only gave them 2 days to run the culture. I had the culture redone at technically 4.5 days after my last pill. I was surprised that on the afternoon of the last day, the results were in. No bacteria.
Get the best dr that you can. One that looks for every source of an infection to start in.
If your dr advises to bathe in Hebclens. DO IT. Its an antibacterial prep wash available at pharmacies & most big box stores. Simple to use, I made sure to let it "soak in" for several minutes before washing it off. Then I used it again. Dried with a clean towel & only wore clean underwear daily until the surgery.
I feel like attention to details is the best way to avoid infections. Good luck to all.

[dg_moore]

My thoughts on supplements are that they are beneficial mostly to the people that sell them.

[nerdynerd]

Ensure that any supplement you are considering does not have blood thinner or anticoagulant properties.

[Old Guy]

My thoughts on supplements are that they are beneficial mostly to the people that sell them.

My thought about supplements too!
The risk of infection is minimal IF you follow doctor orders. One of the biggest things to avoid is touching yourself before being fully healed. Hands are full of bacteria.