February 28, 2020 Jamie Fletcher

Your Low Carb Diet Could Hurt Your Recovery After Surgery

As high-fat, ultra-low-carb diets like Atkins or the Ketogenic diet grow in popularity, we’re getting a clearer picture of the long and short term health effects of this style of eating. While many individuals see positive weight loss results from following a low-carb lifestyle,  it’s important to evaluate the drawbacks. For example, certain populations, like […]

February 6, 2020 enhanced recovery | ERAS | pain | painkillers | pediatric surgery | pediatrics | recovery | surgery Gillian Griffith

Research At-a-Glance: The Benefit of an ERAS Protocol in Pediatric Surgeries

Did you know?  This study found that implementation of a pediatric enhanced recovery (ERAS) pathway decreases opioid utilization and shortens time to full feeding.  In other words… Pediatric patients who followed an ERAS® pathway before surgery didn’t need as many opioids and were ultimately able to begin eating again after surgery faster than patients who […]

January 24, 2020 anxiety | mental health | recovery | stress | surgery Gillian Griffith

Depression After Surgery: What to Know & How to Address It

Getting through surgery is a huge deal—and, when it’s over, you expect to breathe a sigh of relief. But having the big day behind you doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll feel happier when all is said and done. From the woes of physical pain to the stress surgery can put on you and those around you, […]

January 10, 2020 health | nutrition Katie Fletcher

Five Healthy Foods For the Nutrition “Newbie”

Whether you’re looking to improve your sleep, cut down your marathon time, or fit into your favorite pair of pants, there’s no time like the present to give healthy eating a try. With nutrition and #fitness being trendier than ever, there’s plenty of nourishing, tasty, and instagrammable healthy food in just about every store or […]

January 2, 2020 enhanced recovery | ERAS Marissa Adams

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Refresher Course

A very Happy New Year to all of our loyal Mend Well readers! We’re back on the record at the start of this shiny new decade, and like any other new year we are taking stock of the past and looking forward to new possibilities. It’s a great time to re-focus on our mission of […]

December 23, 2019 health | holidays | nutrition Jamie Fletcher

Recipe Remix: Healthy Holiday Treats

Is it just us or does it feel like the holiday season really ramps up about mid-September and runs steady all the way into the New Year? While we’re all about soaking up the festive fun, we know that holiday season often involves a hefty dose of sugar-laden goodies and calorie-bomb cocktails (we’re looking at […]

December 11, 2019 anesthesia | ERAS | surgery Gillian Griffith

Types of Anesthesia: Understanding Going Under

Local, regional, general—oh my! If you’ve ever undergone surgery or if you have an upcoming procedure on the books, you’re probably aware there are a few different types of anesthesia. But what, exactly, is the difference between each and what are they used for? Today, we’re breaking down all you need to know about the […]

October 25, 2019 opioid | opioids | pain | painkillers Gillian Griffith

Alternative Pain Management Without Opioids

Highly addictive and not exactly the safest option to control pain, it’s understandable that many patients choose to avoid opioids and heavy painkillers if possible. But knowing where to start with alternative pain management solutions—and ensuring you’re getting the most benefit from these methods—can be a bit tricky. Today, then, we’re breaking down all you […]

October 18, 2019 alcohol | ERAS | quitting alcohol Jamie Fletcher

Delicious Mocktails to Replace Your Favorite Drinks Before Surgery

When it comes to our health, most of us have the basics down pat. We know how important it is to eat our fruits and veggies, drink our water, and get our 8 hours each night. So, it’s probably no surprise when we tell you that drinking alcohol isn’t the best choice for our general […]

September 6, 2019 child | children | pediatric surgery | pediatrics Gillian Griffith

Preparing Your Child for Surgery: 5 Tips Every Parent Should Know

No parent wants to hear their child needs to have surgery—but it happens more than you might think (on average, 450,000 pediatric in-patient surgeries are performed in the U.S. each year). Pediatric surgery can be intimidating and overwhelming—and, while you’re busy making plans, trying to understand your child’s condition, and arranging financials, you might forget […]