Re: surgery - gluten?

[Guest guest]

If at all possible, have someone with you to check your medications until you feel alert enough to do it yourself. Hospitals often, very often, make mistakes. Take a list of your medications, preferably with a description of what they usually look like (or a photo). Of course, you may get a generic that looks different, but it's a start. Ask if any new medications are GF. They probably can't tell you, but it's worth a try.

Don't count on getting a GF meal, even if you speak directly to the hospital dietician. Therefore, look at your plate closely and ask questions before you eat. Ask your doctor, in advance, if there is any GF food you can bring from home to eat if the hospital tray proves to contain gluten.

Some people have said that IV "bottles" and tubing are "lubricated" with gluten dust during manufacture, unless special GF IV material is specified by the doctor. I've not had any problem; others think they have. My GI says he's never heard of gluten contamination of IV materials. He posits that people could be reacting to some other allergen.

H.

In a message dated 9/4/06 5:29:27 PM, sophie65@... writes:

I'm having a outpatient double surgery with general anesthesia.

I havent found anything to worry about - but does someone here has a special warning for

me? (like morphine pills are a no-no) ?

I have the preop apts wed. and I'll be sure to mention my diet.

thanks a lot.

Sophie