How to Recover Faster From Surgery

I am often asked by patients who are about to undergo surgery what they can do to help recover faster afterwards. The following tips will help nearly every type of surgery under anesthetic:

• Going into hospital means you will be vulnerable to infection as you will be surrounded by ill people. I always say that you have to be very fit to go into hospital. If you have some warning of the date of the operation you can start to take Elderberry tincture daily. This is available from herbalists and some health shops. Take 20 drops in a small amount of warm water at least once a day and up to three times a day. This is a very safe remedy and will not interact with any drugs and will give your immune system a good boost.


• If you are having something like a knee or hip replacement try to be as active as possible beforehand. Swim regularly if you can or try to walk a little (obviously this may be difficult if you have severe pain).


• On the whole you will probably not get much notice before the date of the surgery and may not be able to do all this. Therefore, as soon as you do receive the date start taking homoeopathic Arnica 30C potency. Take two tablets three times a day. If possible do this for two days but even some 24 hours beforehand will help reduce internal bruising and pain. Take this without water and between meals. Once the operation is over take it for a further week.


• For those of you worried about MRSA get yourself a small spray bottle (30--50ml size), beauty shops sell these. Fill with spring water and add 10 drops of Tea Tree essential oil. Give this a shake before use and spray on the hospital locker daily as well as in the air around the bed.


• Do take pain relief when offered it by hospital staff. Surgery is painful and there is no merit in being a martyr.


• You will be encouraged to move around by the nurses early on after the surgery. This is much better for you than staying in bed and helps prevent complications such as pneumonia.


• If you take any natural blood thinners, such as Vitamin E, garlic or Gingko Biloba, stop these. Unless you are having emergency surgery you will have some warning of the operation. So if you have been given a date approximately six weeks on stop the supplements a month before. Recommence them a month after surgery. Incidentally, if you are on aspirin or warfarin you should not be taking additional supplements that thin the blood.

By doing all the above you will feel more confident about the operation and your stay in hospital and recover much quicker.