Don’t Let Your A1C Stand Between You and a Successful Surgery

By Elizabeth Glass, MHA, RDN, CDN

When preparing for surgery, one critical number can significantly impact your recovery: your A1C.

This three-month average amount of blood sugar levels isn’t just an indicator of your diabetes control and risk – it’s also a key metric that doctors use to assess your readiness for surgery and predict your ability to heal effectively. Your surgeon may even postpone your surgery if it is too high.

But the good news? You can take control of your A1C, and a registered dietitian can guide you every step of the way.

Why A1C Matters Before Surgery

Surgeons prioritize A1C levels for good reason. Elevated blood sugar can:

• Impair wound healing
• Increase the risk of complications such as infections
• Prolong recovery time
• Make chronic conditions like kidney disease harder

How a Dietitian Can Help You Lower Your A1C

For many elective surgeries such as orthopedic procedures, there is often time before the operation to lower your A1C. That’s where a registered dietitian can become an invaluable resource.

Registered dietitians can create personalized strategies tailored to your lifestyle and health goals. Unlike generic nutrition advice, a dietitian uses your A1C readings to monitor progress and adjust your plan as needed. This targeted, evidence-based approach emphasizes sustainable, realistic changes over drastic “all or nothing” diets.

Your appointment with an outpatient dietitian may include:

• Reviewing daily habits and typical food choices. Bringing a food journal can provide helpful insights.
• Customized meal planning tailored to your preferences, lifestyle, and health goals.
• Educational resources and practical tips to help you stay on track at home.
• Education on nutrition to help you gain a deeper understanding of how food impacts your health and how to nourish your body effectively.

Ready to meet your goals? Contact us today to learn how a personalized nutrition plan can help you get there! Contact Elizabeth Glass, MHA, RDN, CDN, at (203) 741-3393 or eglass@gaylord.org.