Surgery, Naturopathically.

As a post-op patient myself, I have recently revisited the naturopathic surgery protocols I learned in school, and am excited to update them with pearls from my own experience.  In general, naturopathic doctors are qualified to perform minor surgery in several states and territories, but higher force interventions like pharmaceuticals and surgery are usually reserved for more advanced stages of disease.  Still, there is a very unique place for naturopaths in the care of pre- and post-op patients, as I hope my experience demonstrates.

​Naturopathic doctors approach surgery with several goals in mind: to bolster nutrition stores in order to build resilience, to minimize unnecessary inflammation and pain, and to support the natural healing process inherent in all of us. Sometimes these lofty goals are easier said than done, but for straightforward surgical procedures, here's a general outline of naturopathic tips and tricks.

• Reduce your risk of complications. One week before the surgery, discontinue any anti-coagulant medications or supplements, as these can promote abnormal bleeding and bruising. Common sources include aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Alka-Seltzer, echinacea, feverfew, fish oils, garlic, gingko biloba, ginseng, kava kava, licorice, St. John's Wort, valerian, and vitamin E. Vitamin C is also typically included on this list, but recent studies have shown that high stores of vitamin C can actually help to facilitate tissue regeneration post-surgery, so I would argue that doses up to 2,000 mg/day are acceptable (1).
• Improve your body's ability to heal. Post-surgery, there's plenty to do naturopathically that can help speed healing. One of the most basic things to adjust is your diet, as your body will consume an incredible amount of energy healing. Healthy fats are an excellent source of calories to fuel your recovery, especially from easy-to-digest foods like avocados, salmon, butter and ghee, tuna, soft scrambled eggs, and bone broth. In addition to the caloric benefits of a high fat, high protein post-surgery diet, these foods contain nutrients essential to collagen synthesis, which knits wounds and promotes healthy scar formation. Vitamins A and C help with this process too, as vitamin A improves the strength of scar tissue, and promotes healthy skin. Vitamin C also gives strength to collagen formations, helping with scar tissue, and is a fantastic antioxidant, reducing further trauma to areas compromised by surgery.
• Promote healthy detoxification of medications administered before, during, and after surgery. As with any medication or supplement, proper detoxification and elimination is just as important as timely administration. Support this process with dry skin brushing, castor oil packs to the liver (and to the incision sites, once they have healed to help reduce deep scarring!), homeopathics like Detoxosode or the Heel Detox kit, and making sure you're eating enough fiber and drinking enough water for healthy urination and bowel elimination.
• Speaking of bowels, always support the gut! So much healing takes place in the gut, no matter what type of surgery you undergo, so keeping a healthy and happy belly is incredibly important. Probiotics, especially those with Lactobacillus rhamnus and various strains of Bifidobacteria, can be quite effective in reducing infection and improving recovery times (2). For gastrointestinal surgeries, your surgeon or other physicians may prescribe strong proton pump inhibitors to turn off the acid production in your stomach, thereby reducing further trauma to the operation sites. Naturopathic doctors can take this concept a step further by recommending mucilagenous supplements like deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) or slippery elm to form a "bandage" over the internal wounds so that the tissue can heal.
• Sleep, sleep, sleep. As mentioned previously, your body's need for energy increases dramatically during the recovery period. While it is important to fuel these needs, it is also very important to conserve energy when you can, and to stimulate your parasympathetic system through high quality rest. Melatonin, a common natural sleep supplement, may be appropriate during this time, as it is also a potent antioxidant, and can help protect cells compromised by the surgery, which may speed healing. Racing thoughts or feelings of worry? Something as simple as Rescue Remedy, a flower essence helpful during acute stress, can improve sleep when taken at bedtime or can get you through stressful times during the day without making you drowsy.

Of course, this list is a just a general outline of naturopathic interventions to consider when planning for surgery. While it is by no means exhaustive, incorporating even a few of these basic concepts can make a big difference in healing times following an operation. As with any changes to your healthcare plan, consult with a licensed healthcare professional and with your surgeon to devise the best course of action for your particular situation. 

I hope these are helpful, and from one post-op patient to another, happy and speedy healing!

References
(1) Danielski, et al. "Preoperative vitamin C supplementation improves colorectal anastomotic healing and biochemical parameters in malnourished rats." International Journal of Colorectal Disease. 2016 Nov;31(11):1759-1766. 
(2) de Andrade Calaca, et al. "Probiotics as a preventive strategy for surgical infection in colorectal cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials." Translational Gastroenterolgy and Hepatology. 2017 Aug 23;2:67.