Things to think of before a surgery.

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The Surgery Was a Success But the Patient Died (Courtesy : Daily Health News) How many times have you heard the phrase "the surgery was a success but the patient died"? Surgery is serious stuff and all too often even the simplest surgery can go awry. That's why it's critical to prepare properly for surgery. The more prepared you are and the more research you have done on your procedure, the more likely that your recovery will be rapid and easy. For strategies to ensure a successful surgery, I spoke with Natalie Freedman, ND, of Bastyr University's Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle, Washington. She told me that there are many strategies people can utilize to improve their surgical outcomes, from asking questions (lots of them) to taking appropriate supplements under the direction of a

physician. DO YOUR HOMEWORK If you're lucky enough to know in advance that you're having surgery, the first step is to do your homework. With knowledge and planning, you will feel less fearful and better prepared to face what lies before you, says Dr. Freedman. She told me that your physician is the most important source of information. However, you can also find credible information on-line, as long as you stick with reliable Web sites such as those of the government, research foundations and major medical centers (e.g., www.cancer.gov, www.cancer.org, www.nih.gov). You'll find plenty of detailed advice on the Internet about what to expect -- both physically and psychologically -- before, during and after specific surgeries... as well as a wealth of tips on recovery strategies. For example... At www.breastcancer.org, there is excellent advice on how to safely get moving after breast surgery (e.g., "get out of bed within a few hours after surgery, begin doing arm exercises the morning after surgery"). Medical evidence strongly suggests that physical activity soon after surgery leads to a quicker and more successful recovery. (Note: Do not start exercises without first consulting a doctor, nurse or physical therapist.) At the American Heart Association's Web site (www.americanheart.org), you can learn the answers to questions such as: "Are my feelings normal? What changes should I make? What about sex? When can I go back to work?" For example, you can find that mood swings and depression are common after heart attacks and cardiovascular surgery. Knowing this, you and those around you can be better prepared to identify and address warning signs such as sadness and lethargy. ASK QUESTIONS Once you do your homework, the next step is to prepare a list of questions for your doctor, advises Dr. Freedman. For example... What medications should you stop taking prior to surgery? The list may include over-the-counter and prescription drugs such as aspirin and warfarin (Coumadin), herbs (ginkgo, garlic,

ginger, turmeric, bromelain, papain, St. John's Wort, chamomile, feverfew, etc.) and other supplements (fish oils) that can promote bleeding. Should you bank your own blood beforehand? How long is the surgery? How many days should you expect to be in the hospital afterward? What are the pain management options? When can you expect to resume normal activities? Will there be any scarring? What steps can you take to minimize post-surgical reactions such as pain, depression or scarring? CHOOSE THE BEST SURGEON AND HOSPITAL Generally speaking, the surgeons and hospitals associated with the highest volume of the type of surgery you're having are the

safest choices. Learn more about ratings and performances of individual surgeons and hospitals at www.healthgrades.com. Be sure to check your surgeon's experience with the specific procedure. How often has he/she performed it? For how many years? If they teach the technique, be sure that you don't inadvertently become a teaching case in which the resident on rotation actually does the cutting. DESIGNATE A HEALTH-CARE ADVOCATE This is not a task to take on alone. When you're sick and stressed, you can't always take in all the information yourself, notes Dr. Freedman. Designate a spouse, partner or close friend to act as your advocate -- attending doctor's appointments with you, being at your side before and after surgery and nurturing you through the recovery process at

home. BE PREPARED A neighbor who recently underwent surgery stocked her freezer with plenty of healthful soups and stews, so she would be able to eat wholesome food with minimal effort during recovery. She also enlisted in advance a series of friends to help her out with tasks from cooking to cleaning to hair washing... arranged for a hospital bed and a wheelchair in her home... and booked a physical therapist. OPTIMIZE YOUR HEALTH Once you know you are going to have surgery, you also can take steps to ensure that you approach this life challenge as healthfully as possible in body and mind, says Dr. Freedman. To that end, you must eat nutritious foods, get a good balance of rest and exercise, avoid bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol, and use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation to control

stress and nervousness. If the reason for your surgery warrants it, you may want to consider joining a local or on-line support group with people who have undergone or are planning to have the same type of surgery, and/or opt for short-term counseling. Additionally, Dr. Freedman recommends the following to prepare for surgery... Increase your protein intake by 10% to 20%. Protein is essential for wound healing and immune system health, notes Dr. Freedman. Consider supplements such as... Vitamin C, to reduce the incidence of infection and spur the production of wound-healing collagen. Vitamin A, to enhance wound healing. Do not use during pregnancy. Zinc, for wound healing and immune system health. Dr. Freedman recommends starting zinc one to two weeks pre-surgery and continuing

after surgery. Glucosamine, for joint cartilage healing. It's best to talk to a trained professional before you take any of the above to be certain of the appropriate dosing for you. Once surgical wounds have begun healing (about two weeks after a procedure), topical options are... Aloe vera, to relieve pain and promote healing. Arnica, to relieve pain, swelling and inflammation and promote healing. (Caution: Never use arnica on open wounds.) Vitamin E, to promote healing and discourage scarring. Dr. Freedman cautions that vitamin E should be used only when wounds have healed over completely. Otherwise it can actually increase scarring. Arginine and glutamine, amino acids that are the building blocks of protein. This is taken

orally. Gotu kola, to hasten healing of wounds and strengthen scars. This is also taken orally in capsule or botanical tincture. These are available at your local health store. Carefully follow package instructions for use. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Surgery is daunting, and many people become so fearful and intimidated by it that they bury their heads in the sand. They don't want to think about it or deal with it. But whatever type of surgery you undergo, the more you learn about it and the better prepared you are, the faster, smoother and less stressful your recovery is apt to be. "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of

the spirit." - Aurobindo.

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