Re: Preparing the body for surgery

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Tania, this is good to know. I wouldn't have thought of not

taking ibuprofen/aspirin for two weeks before surgery.

FWIW, the March issue of Real Simple magazine has a section on

preparing for surgery and a hospital stay. I am going to save it for

when I have my surgery in a year.

> 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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