# ENROUTE surgical nutrition program **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 1, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469 "2025-04-01T21:28:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/1 "2025-04-01T21:28:28Z")
Mrs. Martian is having knee replacement in a couple of weeks and her surgeon is recommending [the ENROUTE surgical nutrition program](https://getenroute.com/). The program consists of twice daily shakes to be consumed for the two weeks before and the two weeks after surgery. It’s $300 for the four week course. One side of my brain is saying that it’s at best woo and at worst a scam; the other side is saying that anything that might improve her recovery (she had the first knee replace ten years ago, there was no consideration of pre and post surgical nutrition, she had a rough go the first week post surgery) is worth a shot. The program consists of four weeks of protein, creatine, calcium and vitamin D shakes (2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery) and special high-carb shakes to be taken the day before surgery. Does anyone have any experience with this or similar products? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/2 "2025-04-01T21:40:58Z")
So, $5.36 per shake? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lZzai6at_xA/maxresdefault.jpg "Pulp Fiction | '$5 Milkshake' (HD) - Uma Thurman, John Travolta | MIRAMAX") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZzai6at_xA) I haven’t done any research on ENROUTE but while their website has enthusiastic “patient testimonials” I cannot find any reference to peer reviewed studies in any nutritional science or post-operative care journals. So…not necessarily ‘woo’, but there is not indication that this is anything other than overpriced nutritional supplements. You can put together your own shakes with “protein, creatine, calcium and vitamin D” supplements for a fraction of that cost if you are so inclined, or just eat some bone broth, cheese, and enriched milk (plant milk if the patient is lactose intolerant) along with a diet of healthy whole foods and leafy greens. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/3 "2025-04-02T02:21:19Z")
I don’t have an answer, but looking at the website I am not sure what makes this better than just making your own protein shakes and supplement regimens at home. You can buy protein shakes at walmart for about $2 each and you can also buy Vitamin D, calcium and creatine there too. It would cost a lot less than $300. > **[Shop - ENROUTE® - Complete Surgical Nutrition Program](https://getenroute.com/products/enroute)** > > A surgeon-recommended nutrition program featuring daily drink formulas designed to optimize your surgical experience. It helps to preserve muscle mass, support bone health, enhance immune function, and promote wound healing. Each ENROUTE® bundle... One word of advice, when I’ve tried creatine in the past it makes me very irritable and gives me insomnia. I would check if this person can tolerate creatine before buying the shakes. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/4 "2025-04-02T02:31:39Z")
Ask the surgeon what scientific studies they are basing this recommendation on. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/5 "2025-04-02T04:43:27Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > You can buy protein shakes at walmart for about $2 each and you can also buy Vitamin D, calcium and creatine there too. It would cost a lot less than $300. Just got back from Costco. Protein shakes \<$1.50 each. More protein and calcium than ENROUTE, half the Vitamin D (but Mrs. Martian already takes a calcium/vitamin D supplement so gets plenty of vitamin D). $85 for four weeks supply. $15 jar of creatine from Walgreens. $13 for four bottles of Ensure pre-surgery drink (looks identical to the ENROUTE pre-surgery drink) from Amazon. **Total: $113** Thanks for the dose of sanity. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/6 "2025-04-02T05:07:12Z")
Do you know if they can drink a pre-surgery drink the morning of a surgery? I was told when I had surgery that I had to stop eating the night before so I wouldn’t have any stomach contents during surgery. I have no idea how it works for liquids though, that was just my experience. Also its 1am, where’d you find a costco open that late? The ones near me all close around 8 EST. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/7 "2025-04-02T05:23:59Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Also its 1am, where’d you find a costco open that late? The ones near me all close around 8 EST. Costco in Scottsdale, AZ closes at 8:30 local time (11:30 eastern time). ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/8 "2025-04-02T06:54:37Z")
Smart, to get your own stuff and make your own. There are so many of these nutritional support programs. Sure they’re probably healthy to drink. I would bet my last $2 they don’t taste any better. I drink 2 a day. It’s for the protein because I’m underweight. My own concoctions are better. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/9 "2025-04-02T13:19:06Z")
This resource may be of interest to you: > **[Nutrition Basics](https://bonesmart.org/nutrition/nutrition-basics/)** > > For an average healthy adult, surgery can mean: INCREASED ENERGY NEEDS. Your body burns a lot of energy during and after surgery. A MAJOR WORKOUT. You ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/10 "2025-04-02T13:45:13Z")
If this is something the surgeon really feels necessary, ask them for a prescription for the protein shakes. Perhaps it can be covered by insurance? The website mentions that the supplier can setup an online shop to “add value to [the surgeon’s] practice with minimal effort.” In other words, the surgeon makes money by pushing this stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/11 "2025-04-02T19:39:35Z")
I see a number of red flags here. The ENROUTE supplements are only available through surgeons, who are urged to “partner” with the company through an online shop. Online shops are the hallmark of dubious practitioners like “functional medicine” docs. Your physician should not be in the business of selling you supplements or meds. The company website prominently displays testimonials. There is a listing of journal references in the docs only section, but the article titles are mostly about general nutrition needs in orthopedic patients and don’t specifically mention this product. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recognizes a need for good, balanced patient nutrition but doesn’t hype supplement shakes. The AAOS notes that obesity puts strain on new joints - how many calories are in these supplement shakes? Good nutrition is important pre and post-surgery, but I’d be wary of this product. Other practices offer nutritional counseling without “partnering” with a supplement company. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/12 "2025-04-02T19:48:20Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > There is a listing of journal references in the docs only section, but the article titles are mostly about general nutrition needs in orthopedic patients and don’t specifically mention this product. Yeah, I was looking at that too. [Here’s the link (pdf warning)](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0579/2222/4179/files/ENROUTE_Clinical_One-Pager_v4_Digital.pdf?v=1725911963). The underlying science isn’t really controversial - operative outcomes are improved if a patient has good nutrition. The product itself hasn’t been validated or else they’d be promoting those studies before promoting studies showing that malnutrition is bad. The question is why your surgeon is recommending it specifically for Mrs. Martian. Has she had a preoperative screening of the nutrition profile that this product is meant to address? Does she need more protein, calcium, or whatever else? Can those deficiencies be properly addressed by lean protein and simple (and much cheaper) pill supplements? ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enroute-surgical-nutrition-program/1016469/13 "2025-04-02T19:52:42Z")
Not specifically for Mrs. Martian. Doc is part of a very large ortho practice, I suspect everyone gets the suggestion. Doc never mentioned it to her directly.