MAILBAG: Recover from Surgery FASTER
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 23, 2023
“I’m having knee replacement surgery next month. I’m very nervous. Are there any ways to speed up recovery?”
– Jen, Boulder, CO
There’s no doubt about it. Surgery IS stressful for the body (and mind), and it takes time to heal. But your recovery time CAN typically be reduced with a bit of extra support.
Most surgeons now have handouts that tell you what to avoid before surgery. Or, they’ll cover this in a pre-surgery appointment.
Follow the surgeon’s instructions to the letter. This will help the surgery and recovery run smoother.
I typically encourage patients to take the following daily “surgery cocktail,” starting two weeks before the operation and continuing for four weeks post-surgery.
- A high-quality multivitamin and mineral.
- Vitamin C – 3,000 milligrams to promote the healing of connective tissue.
- Mixed bioflavonoids – 3000 milligrams to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling.
- Vitamin E – 400 IU to promote wound healing and reduce scar formation.
- Zinc – 30 to 40 milligrams to stimulate DNA synthesis for new cell growth.
Even if these supplements aren’t listed on the surgery no-no list, it’s a good idea to ask about them BEFORE you start taking them.
Focus on eating a healthy anti-inflammatory diet. Eat plenty of meats and vegetables. And avoid processed foods, vegetable oils, added sugars, and alcohol.
With your surgeon’s thumbs up, consider taking natural anti-inflammatories such as fish oil, Boswellia, and turmeric as well.
Light exercise and sleep are vital for healing and stress reduction.
Ask your surgeon what kind of exercise you can do and when you can start. Light walking is often encouraged. You may also be prescribed physical therapy immediately following surgery. The therapist can provide you with instructions for other safe at-home exercises to do as well.
I prefer natural approaches to encourage more restful sleep such as melatonin and calming herbs like passionflower, hops, and chamomile.
Best of luck with surgery and recovery!
P.S. Before you reach for that bottle of NSAID pain reliever again, you NEED to know something. Your temporary solution for joint pain could leave you with permanent damage. Don’t take another NSAID pain reliever until you READ THIS!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Ease Anxiety with THIS Belly Hack
I’m always encouraging patients to focus on their gastrointestinal health. It’s often overlooked—and well-balanced belly bugs are vital for overall good health. So I’m not surprised that I’ve seen a lot of folks lately who have told me that working on their gut balance has been absolutely LIFE-CHANGING. But it’s NOT in the way you’re...
Is Fish Oil Enough? (What You Might be Missing Out On)
I love talking about the active elements in foods because it highlights the powerful health benefits of those individual ingredients. Take fish oil, for instance. If you search the Living Well Daily archives, you’d likely find THOUSANDS of references to this golden fish extract. Fish oil contains the essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and...
The STUNNING Truth About Back Pain
“I feel like I can barely do anything anymore because of my back pain. I’m always taking pain meds. What else can help?” – Ed, Huntsville, AL Hi Ed, Brace yourself. What I’m about to tell you about back pain will no doubt come as a surprise. It might even seem downright unbelievable at first....
FILTHY FACTS About Your Cell Phone
Taking a trip to the bathroom used to be a break from the chaos of daily life. It’s likely at least partially responsible for the nickname restroom. After all, there wasn’t much to do in that room unless you had a magazine to read. But nowadays, for many of us, the restroom is anything BUT...
EAR Test Protects Your BRAIN?
Hearing loss has a habit of sneaking up on folks. Typically, it happens so slowly that you don’t notice it until you’ve lost a SIGNIFICANT amount of hearing. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 8 percent of adults 55 to 64 have disabling hearing loss. That number jumps to 25 percent for people...
Missing "Lucky Penny" Mineral Harms Your Heart
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, Some nutrients get all the glory. There are the vitamin A-Listers like C, D, and E. And although minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium might be considered B-List stars, they ALSO get their fair share of attention. But one vital nutrient never gets to walk the red carpet. And that...
Risk of Stroke SURGES 50% Worldwide?!
It’s NOT good news. A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), confirmed that the chance of having a stroke has skyrocketed by a whopping 50 percent in the last twenty years. According to the WHO, that means your stroke risk is now about one in four. Next time you’re in a crowd, look...
Is Tofu GOOD for You? (The Truth REVEALED)
I often wonder why so many people are passionate about tofu. There’s something about it that triggers strong emotions. Some folks HATE it, while others LOVE it. But is it good for you? Well, it’s complicated. Tofu is a fermented soy product. It tastes bland alone. But it takes on the taste of whatever you...
Bizarre New Cell Phone Risk (Beware)
I sometimes joke with my (adult) kids. “Do you know,” I ask, “that the PHONE you carry around with you all the time can make phone calls?” They laugh and mumble, “Old,” under their breath. I swear the generations who grew up with a cell phone attached to their palm will do almost anything to...
MAILBAG: Crush COPD Symptoms NATURALLY
“Got any natural treatments for COPD?” – Mike, Ann Arbor, MI Dear Mike, Unfortunately, COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, is a common condition. In fact, it’s now the third leading cause of death in the United States. COPD causes the airways to constrict, making breathing difficult or uncomfortable. Persistent coughing, excess mucus production, wheezing,...