IBD Prehabilitation Program
Having surgery has been compared to running a marathon, and most people wouldn’t run a marathon without preparing physically, mentally and nutritionally. That is why Cedars-Sinai is pioneering an evidence-based, multidisciplinary prehabilitation program that will support patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, who are undergoing abdominal surgery, helping them recover and return to their lives quickly and more completely. "Prehabilitation” refers to the process of preparing before surgery, which can improve one’s recovery time after surgery.
Our comprehensive, 10-week program provides resources and guidance for patients before and after surgery to optimize physical and mental health in order to shorten recovery time after surgery and improve overall outcomes. The Cedars-Sinai IBD Prehabilitation Program is the first of its kind in the U.S., offering patients a unique opportunity to participate in groundbreaking approaches to surgery preparation and follow-up that lead to improved health and wellbeing.
Program Overview and Details
How you prepare for surgery and the steps you take following your operation can significantly impact your progress and speed up your recovery. Cedars-Sinai equips patients with a team of experts, including nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, physical therapists and social workers, to guide patients through their care journey.
Our 10-week program includes structured medical, dietary, mental health and physical therapy assessments and guidance for participants, with a combination of in-person and virtual visits beginning four weeks prior to surgery and continuing until six weeks after surgery.
Diet and Nutrition
What you eat impacts how quickly you heal. Our program offers dietary and nutritional support to help participants address potential nutrient deficiencies and monitor caloric and protein intake as needed. We will provide guidance on “carb-loading” before surgery and “immunonutrition” to help boost your recovery. We also provide valuable tools to support you along the way, from menu suggestions to coaching from our registered dieticians.
Physical Therapy
Getting you back to your life is our top priority. With the support of dedicated physical therapists, we help participants return to their regular daily activities through progressive exercise routines, in-hospital mobility interventions, strength and endurance maintenance and more. In addition, we will provide basic equipment to help you improve physical strength and exercise stamina.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Therapy
Surgery of any kind can be stressful. Abdominal surgery can create heightened anxiety, impacting your mental health. With this in mind, our program includes a dedicated social worker to provide emotional support throughout your care journey, ensuring you have the resources needed to advance both physical and mental health.
Do you have additional questions about the IBD Prehabilitation Program? Send our team a message today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our IBD Prehabilitation Program is the first of its kind in the United States, offering patients a unique opportunity to participate in groundbreaking approaches to surgery preparation and follow-up that lead to improved health and wellbeing. This comprehensive, 10-week program provides additional resources and guidance for patients before and after surgery to strengthen recovery and improve outcomes.
To learn more about this transformational program, the services we offer and the resources available to you throughout this process, we welcome you to reach out to our team at 310-423-4100 or IBDPrehab@cshs.org.
You must have a medical diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, from a board-certified doctor or nurse practitioner and be 13 years of age or older.
This is a hybrid program. While some sessions require you to be in-person, others offer you the flexibility to participate from home.
This program provides care and support that is specifically tailored to your needs and your lifestyle. By beginning your journey with an in-person meet-and-greet with your supportive care team, we can best understand you, your unique health needs and your concerns.
No. You do not have to select a surgical facility affiliated with Cedars-Sinai or a physician within the Cedars-Sinai network. If your physician is outside the Cedars-Sinai network, you will still have full access to the Cedars-Sinai care team, and we will work with your physician to ensure that we receive all your updated medical information, and that they understand the benefits of prehabilitation.
Yes. While we prefer to have a four-week timeframe prior to your surgery, we will be as flexible as possible to meet your needs and timeline. We encourage anyone who is interested and meets the qualifications to participate in the program even if there are fewer than four weeks before your surgery.
There is no cost to participate in this program. All services, including basic exercise equipment and nutritional supplements, are covered by a grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.
Have Questions or Need Help?
To learn more or make an appointment, call us or send a message to the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Prehabilitation Program team. You can also have us call you back at your convenience.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
Beverly Building
8720 Beverly Blvd., Lower Level
Los Angeles, CA 90048