My sister is having a shoulder surgery and the surgeon is recommending some expensive supplements-is that a thing

[u/Longjumping-Ebb-1584]

Hey all! Posting as my sister is having rotator cuff / labrum repair surgery and her surgeon is recommending she take these expensive supplements . I have had a couple surgeries including labrum repair and never had such a suggestion but it’s been awhile. Is this necessary?

My sister is:
55 yo
5 foot 5 and probably 150 lbs or so
Non smoker, healthy lifestyle, eats well and has. I chronic conditions , no regularly scheduled medications
Scheduled for rotator cuff and labrum repair surgery in 2 weeks

Question: does she need to take these supplements or is this a gimmick of some kind?

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[u/castaspellx]

Unnecessary and tbh makes me think poorly of the surgeon. I'd almost wonder if there's a kickback.

[u/dirtd0g → u/castaspellx]

Spouse in a MLM or something?

[u/twisted34 → u/dirtd0g]

Unfortunately not. We have a lot of companies that come in and offer for us to sell this stuff. Luckily most of our docs don't care to sell them

[u/DualVission → u/twisted34]

Too my knowledge, it's grounds for termination to not disclose those ties with my employer. I don't 100% agree with the policy (as it says that transporters can no longer take monetary tips among other smaller things) but that part is 100% great.

[u/somehugefrigginguy → u/DualVission]

Haha, back when I was an aide, we had a patient who would always try to tip us (which was against hospital policy and our licensure). Sometimes he would wait until both my hands were occupied and then just slip it into my pocket. So we put an envelope in his chart and every time he would give us money we'd put it in the envelope and then when his wife would visit we would give the money to her and she would tell him she had just stopped at the ATM and give the money to him.

[u/twisted34 → u/DualVission]

Probably is, none of it is sold as mandatory. Always offered as optional. That's probably the verbiage that allows it

I never mention it, I can barely afford to live right now, can't image how many others are doing right now

[u/welltravelledRN → u/castaspellx]

Some of our surgeons actually own the supplement company they recommend. As well as the Ice machine that’s recommended. It’s not even hidden.

Once you’re rich, it’s easier to start a company selling the things you believe in.

[u/BCSteve → u/welltravelledRN]

This is highly illegal. The Stark law prohibits physicians from referring patients to services or recommending products in which they or their family has a financial interest.

[u/welltravelledRN → u/BCSteve]

How do I report it?

[u/Usual_Confection6091 → u/BCSteve]

This make me reconsider the surgeon she's going with.

[u/_atrophy → u/welltravelledRN]

This is such a major conflict of interest. It doesnt matter if they believe or dont believe in their own products, the financial tie to an exterior business will always be a conflict to patient health. Shame on them

[u/welltravelledRN → u/_atrophy]

Agree 100%.

[u/texasusa → u/welltravelledRN]

According to Google, Thrive is a MLM that started in 2012.

[u/Nysoz]

There’s some evidence for pre surgery care with nutrition among other things for various surgeries. Some hospitals and departments will have eras protocols.

That said, any branded expensive stuff is super unnecessary.

[u/g0d_Lys1strata → u/Nysoz]

Abbott has a much cheaper product line with a similar purpose: Ensure Pre-Surgery and Ensure Surgery. They also offer a 5 day perioperative bundle for under $90.00.

Not affiliated with Abbott, but just wanted to share in case other people wanted a more cost-effective option vs. Thrive Surgical/OptiFuel for $300.00.

[u/Ok-Active-8321 → u/g0d_Lys1strata]

The website states "Designed to be consumed up to 2 hours before surgery." How does this play with the requirement for nothing orally 12 hours before surgery?

[u/OhReallyVernon → u/Ok-Active-8321]

When I had my tkr last year I was told I could (and should) consume Gatorade up to just a few hours before surgery. No food, but just the drink was okay. Something about adequate hydration being beneficial. But IDRK I’m NAD.

[u/g0d_Lys1strata → u/Ok-Active-8321]

You follow the instructions given by your physician.

[u/bluejohnnyd]

so this is outside my specialty, but at first glance this looks like it's closer to the "gimmick" end of the spectrum though less obnoxious than some versions.

Looking at their website, the thing that makes me most skeptical is that I don't see any links to any kind of study of their formulation actually establishing the benefits they claim are possible with it. Second, the wording is very careful - they talk about benefits that some studies find with each ingredient, and use weasel words like "up to" - leaving it unclear whether the benefits observed in the data they report (without actually citing sources, worth noting) are consistent or even statistically significant.

On the other hand, the basic premise seems fairly reasonable - making sure you have good nutrition absolutely is part of recovery from surgery, and that includes plenty of dietary protein and adequate vitamin intake. I certainly don't think this supplement bundle is likely to HURT, but as far as I can tell it won't do anything a balanced high-protein diet and maybe cheaper creatine and BCAA supplement from Amazon wouldn't do.

[u/dingoshiba]

You should question the doctor’s stakes in this. Totally unnecessary, has no impact on recovery whatsoever

[u/ratpH1nk → u/dingoshiba]

Especially in light of a growing body of recent evidence that shows for many rotator cuff tears, surgery offers only small benefits over structured nonoperative care (physical therapy ± injection). In fact, surgery is no longer recommended as first-line treatment in most degenerative cases.

[u/DoctorOfWhatNow]

Total nonsense

[u/HollowKodaline]

Absolutely unnecessary.

[u/scoobie517]

I was in pediatric surgery before my current position. This is complete bs. At that price point I would seriously wonder if your priority is a successful intervention or milling the cash cow

[u/Longjumping-Ebb-1584]

Ok thanks for the responses everyone, I will tell my sister that yes a good diet with high protein is a good idea for recovery. That she does not need to purchase this stuff. I appreciate the information!

[u/g0d_Lys1strata → u/Longjumping-Ebb-1584]

Just FYI, if her surgeon really wants her to use a product like this, Abbott offers a much cheaper option/product line with a similar purpose: Ensure Pre-Surgery and Ensure Surgery. They also offer a 5 day perioperative bundle for under $90.00.

https://abbottstore.com/adult-nutrition/ensure/ensure-surgery.html

[u/_Ross-]

This is absolutely not necessary and honestly my gut reaction is to not trust that surgeon, and to find someone else. Seems very scammy and untrustworthy.

[u/sammcgowann]

Yikes

[u/Atticus413]

So it's an orthopedic surgeon pushing this type of quackery, and not some middling NP or PA?

Hmmph. Who would've thought.

[u/Longjumping-Ebb-1584 → u/Atticus413]

Not sure who exactly, was recommended by the clinic to my knowledge

[u/DrPatho]

The physican is absolutely getting kickback. Eating healthy does improve surgical outcomes, but it doesn't have to be expensive.