Re: Preparing the body for surgery - Clarification

January 25, 2005

Just to clarify -

When I mentioned " keeping the muscles strong and eating right before and after

surgery, " I am reffering to quality of diet, as in fruits, veggies, etc. I did

not want a member to think I was saying to eat directly before the procedure -

that would be incorrect advice. It may be obvious that I was referring to

quality of diet but you never know! Thank you for your time.

tania castro wrote:

Hey everyone,

Thought this post may be useful for those having surgery in the next few months.

I am having surgery in April and have asked several doctors and nurses, the best

way to prepare your body for surgery and optimal healing. I have gotten

consistent responses which are:

Start vitamin supplements (whichever ones you choose to take), 2 weeks prior to

surgery and continue for 2-4 weeks following surgery. These are all things that

are good for the body anyway and they can only make you stronger.

take: Vitamin C with bioflavonoids once or twice a day - helps prevent swelling

and enhances tissue repair

take: calcium tablets twice a day along with increasing calcium intake in food -

strengthens bones (should be doing this year-round)

take: glutamine before and after surgery - Glutamine is the most abundant amino

acid in the body. Glutamine is converted to glucose when more glucose is

required by the body as an energy source. It serves as a source of fuel for

cells lining the intestines. Without it, these cells waste away. It is also used

by white blood cells and is important for immune function. I've read to be

conservative with this nutritional supplement - check with you doctor to find

out more about it.

avoid: taking Ibuprofen or any aspirin type medication two weeks before and one

week after surgery due to the increased risk of post-operative bleeding

associated with these medicines.

Exercise - keeping the muscles strong and eating right before and after surgery

invariably speeds recovery - so be good to your bodies!

Note: Since everybody's health situations are different - talk to your PCP or

surgeon before starting any regimen. Different things are applicable for

different people and therefore what you can and cannot take may differ

considerably.

Hope this was of interest to some of you.

Tania

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