Pre-Operative Protocal
Pre-operative protocols before surgery refers to steps patients can take before undergoing any surgical procedures. The purpose of the protocols is to enhance the patients' ability to handle the surgery with the least amount of recovery time. These steps can speed healing time and pain reduction and help to reduce the risk of complications from surgery. Treatment Note: In general, follow these recommendations for several weeks prior to surgery, especially surgery that requires a general anesthetic. Diet: Eat an organic, whole foods diet with plenty of fresh, organic vegetables. Avoid all sugars, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, soda, and processed foods. In addition, drink plenty of pure, filtered water and try to have at least one glass of fresh vegetable juice each day. Flower Essences: Rescue Remedy to deal with associated anxiety and stress. Herbs: The following herbs can be helpful: pycnogenol, yellowdock, mustard greens, and turnip greens. Homeopathy: Arnica is an excellent homeopathic remedy for preparing for surgery. Nutritional Supplementation: Two weeks before surgery, start building up your immune system by taking a daily high-potency multivitamin/mineral complex and additional vitamin C, bioflavonoids, vitamin B complex, vitamin E, beta carotene, magnesium, potassium, zinc, essential fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Forty-eight hours before surgery, add the anti-inflammatory enzymes protease and bromelain to reduce the swelling, inflammation, and pain of surgery. Also take liquid ionic trace minerals until the post-surgical healing is complete. Post Operative Protocal Definition Postoperative protocols after surgery refer to steps patients can take after they undergo surgical procedures in order to enhance their recovery time and minimize pain associated by the surgery. Treatment Note: In general, follow these recommendations for several weeks to several months, and up to one year, especially after invasive surgery and surgery that requires a general anesthetic. Diet: Initially, focus on eating lighter organic foods, such as soups, juices, broths, and pureed vegetables and fruits. As your recovery progresses, eat an organic, whole foods diet with plenty of fresh, organic vegetables. Avoid all sugars, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, soda, and processed foods. In addition, drink plenty of pure, filtered water and try to have at least one glass of fresh vegetable juice each day. Nutritional Supplementation: The following nutrients are recommended following all surgical procedures: a daily high-potency multivitamin/mineral complex and additional vitamin C, bioflavonoids, vitamin B complex, vitamin E, beta carotene, magnesium, potassium, zinc, essential fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Also add free-form amino acids, glutamine, and extra vitamin B6. If you have difficulty healing, take proteolytic enzymes between meals. Chromium and selenium can also be helpful. To reduce the inflammation caused by surgery, continue to take protease or bromelain; omega-3 essential fatty acids (fish and flaxseed oils) are also anti-inflammatory. Vitamin E and GLA can be given postoperatively by putting a teaspoon or two of flaxseed oil (for GLA), and 400 IU of vitamin E (puncture capsule and squirt onto skin along with flaxseed oil) onto the skin away from the incision once a day. If antibiotic therapy is used before or after surgery, also take acidophilus to restore beneficial flora in the gastrointestinal tract. Flower Essences: Rescue Remedy Herbs: Combine Siberian ginseng, ginkgo, milk thistle, and hawthorn tinctures in equal amounts and take 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture three times a day for two to four weeks after surgery. Aloe vera gel can also be used topically. Homeopathy: Arnica. Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the application of water, ice, steam and hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating a wide range of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a self-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and Day Spas use Hydrotherapy as part of treatment. We suggest several at-home hydrotherapy treatments. Please seek the advice of your alternative health care practitioner before undergoing these procedures to make sure they are appropriate for you. Close Browser/Window To Return To The Main Menu |