Published November 15, 2003 in the North Island Weekender
No matter how hard you try sometimes there is no getting around having to have surgery. The most common surgeries that people ask me about are hysterectomies (removal of the uterus) and cholecystectomies (removal of the gallbladder). Often these surgeries can be avoided but sometimes not. In the case of hysterectomies if the symptoms become too severe with bleeding or bladder problems and the uterus becomes too large then it is best to have it removed. However insist that the ovaries are not removed! That is another story. In the case of gallbladders about 50% of the surgeries do not result in cessation of symptoms but in the other 50% the gallbladder colic is removed. Other digestive complaints may remain but the colic is gone! The best case scenario is to see the naturopathic physician one to three months before your surgery to give you time to build up your system. Two weeks before surgery, nutrients that have a blood thinning effect should be avoided. These include Vitamin C, E and essential fats. Other nutrients are fine to continue right up until the time of surgery and one to three months post operatively.
Betty, age 45, came to me a year ago, with a uterus the size of a large melon. She complained about heavy periods, fatigue, weight gain, constipation, low body temperature, hot flashes, insomnia and irritability. I was able to give her medicines to help her with all her symptoms and I treated her as I would any peri-menopausal woman (ask about my previous articles). However after her repeat ultrasound one year later her uterus was the size of a basketball and now she was having bladder control problems and more abdominal discomfort.
By being on my Basic Treatment Guidelines for over one year, Betty was much more prepared for surgery than your average person is. To this program I also added liver and adrenal support remedies pre operatively. The hardest thing about surgery is the anesthetic. The recovery time and complications of surgery are greatly reduced in hospitals in China where acupuncture is used for anesthesia. My recommendations for surgical preparations involve supporting the liver and the adrenal glands for this huge stress. The liver metabolizes all the drugs that are used around surgery including the anesthetic and the antibiotics. If the liver is not able to detoxify as efficiently then the patient will have more difficulty waking up from the surgery and will experience more fatigue and pain. Surgery of any kind is very stressful and hard on the adrenal glands. By the time you find yourself on the table heading into the operating room they have already been put to the test, not only dealing with your personal preparations for taking time off for the surgery but dealing with a less than ideal medical system. So both the adrenals and the liver need lots of support well before surgery and several months afterwards for optimal healing.
While Betty was in the hospital I recommended that she have Arnica and Hypericum, homeopathic remedies at higher dosages than she could get in the health store, to be taken frequently for four days or so to help control the pain and speed healing. I had her husband bring into the hospital a strong home- made ginger tea to help her recover from the nausea of the anesthetic, as well as my Superfood Smoothie green drink to help replenish her electrolytes and nutrition post operatively. As soon as she was able to tolerate oral supplements we resumed the Vitamin C, E, essential fats, liver and adrenal support, as well as, natural anti-inflammatories that not only treat the pain but speed the wound healing. Her surgeon was amazed to see her recover so quickly with minimal pain and bruising.
Betty still took time to heal but instead of feeling tired and out of sorts for six months after her major abdominal surgery, she was fully recovered in three months. She was thankful for the support so she could be back to work sooner and get on with her life in a productive manner.
Dr.
Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently
practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com