How to Prepare for Your ACT Session: The Complete Pre-Procedure Guide | ALIV

The quality of an ACT procedure depends significantly on the quality of the biological material harvested. Unlike a pharmaceutical drug whose composition is fixed regardless of patient preparation, ACT draws on living biological material — cells, growth factors, and signalling molecules — whose concentration and viability are directly influenced by the patient's nutritional status, hydration, sleep, and medication use in the days before the procedure. Preparing correctly is therefore a clinical imperative, not optional wellness advice.

Nutritional Preparation: The Two-Week Window

In the two weeks before an ACT procedure, ALIV's clinical team recommends the following nutritional priorities. Protein adequacy: Cell populations and growth factors are protein-derived — adequate dietary protein (at least 1g per kilogram of body weight per day from quality sources) supports the cellular health of the material being harvested. Micronutrient status: Vitamin D, zinc, B12, and omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important for mesenchymal cell function and growth factor production. Patients with confirmed deficiencies should begin targeted supplementation at least two weeks before the procedure — ideally identified and started at the pre-ACT consultation. Hydration: Excellent hydration in the 48-72 hours before the procedure improves the ease of venous access for any IV components of the procedure and the fluidity of biological material. Aim for 2–3 litres of water per day in the two days before the procedure. Alcohol: Avoid alcohol for at least one week before the procedure — alcohol impairs immune cell function, disrupts the inflammatory cytokine environment, and reduces the biological activity of growth factor preparations.

Medications to Discuss Before the Procedure

Several medication categories require specific discussion at the pre-ACT consultation. Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs and corticosteroids): These suppress the inflammatory signalling that is part of the ACT initiation response and may reduce the efficacy of the growth factor preparation. ALIV's clinical team will advise whether and for how long these should be paused before the procedure — this must be balanced against the patient's pain management needs. Anticoagulants and antiplatelets: These affect the safety of the harvest procedure and are reviewed on an individual basis in coordination with the prescribing physician. Immunosuppressants: These directly affect the cell populations being harvested and the biological response to administration — their management requires careful coordination.

Medications that should NOT be stopped without explicit physician guidance: cardiac medications, antihypertensives, antidiabetic medications, anticonvulsants, and thyroid medications. These should be continued as prescribed unless the ALIV clinical team and prescribing physician jointly advise otherwise. Never stop a prescribed medication based on general pre-procedure guidance alone. See the full context: what to expect on ACT procedure day.

Physical Preparation

Sleep: Prioritise seven to nine hours of sleep in the week before the procedure — growth hormone secretion during deep sleep is a key driver of cellular regenerative capacity, and sleep deprivation measurably reduces the biological activity of harvested cell preparations. Exercise: Moderate exercise in the week before the procedure is beneficial; intense exercise (high-intensity training, long endurance events) in the 48 hours before is not recommended, as it temporarily redistributes growth factors toward acute muscle repair rather than systemic availability. Smoking: Smoking reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, impairs immune cell 

function, and significantly reduces the biological activity of mesenchymal cell preparations. ALIV strongly recommends cessation of smoking for at least two weeks before ACT procedures.

Do I need to fast before an ACT procedure?

Fasting requirements depend on whether any anaesthetic component is involved in the harvest procedure. For procedures under local anaesthesia only, extended fasting is not required — a light meal two to three hours before the procedure is appropriate. For procedures where sedation may be used as a comfort measure, the anaesthetist's specific fasting guidelines (typically six hours for solids, two hours for clear fluids) apply. The specific fasting requirement for your procedure is confirmed at the pre-ACT consultation and in your procedure-day instructions.

What should I wear on procedure day?

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows access to the harvest site (typically the posterior pelvis for bone marrow harvest) and to an arm for IV access. Avoid tight waistbands or clothing that will be uncomfortable over the harvest site during the hours of processing. Bringing a light meal or snack for after the procedure is recommended — most patients are hungry after the procedure day and it is helpful to have food available at the clinic.

Can I drive myself home after the procedure?

No — for bone marrow or adipose harvest procedures, even under local anaesthesia, driving on the day of the procedure is not appropriate. The procedural sedation or discomfort from the harvest site makes it unsafe to drive. Patients should arrange for a family member or driver to accompany them and take them home. Plan to rest at home for the remainder of the procedure day — most patients feel comfortable resuming light activities the following day.