surgery Archives - GrandmaBetsyBell

I made a recent discovery. In preparation for surgery (a minor procedure to my left eye), the surgeon’s assistant called me to discuss my medications and how to alter my diet to reduce bleeding. I take no prescription medications so that part was easy. I told her that I take supplements. She directed me to stop taking any supplements that might thin the blood.

For years I’ve been taking various supplements by Shaklee to prevent heart disease (which runs in my family). The list is long:

Garlic: May help lower blood pressure, does interfere with blood clotting

Fish Oil: EPA may help blood flow into small arteries; may made blood slippery and more fluid

Vitamin E in two forms, tablet and gel cap: May increase bleeding

Blood Pressure Complex: may increase blood circulation. Contains quercitin, beet root, spinach all of which may reduce inflammation.

CorEnergy: contains ginseng and green tea which may thin the blood

Pain Relief Complex: works as an anti-inflammatory.

CoQ-heart: specifically designed to produce CoQ-10, an anti-inflammatory important to heart-health which we do not produce sufficiently as we age.

Six days ago, I stopped taking all the above supplements. On day seven I caught my forearm skin on a sharp piece of metal. Normally a wound like that would have sent blood running down my arm until I got a cotton swab to press on the injured skin and a tight Band-Aid applied immediately. On this day, just six days after eliminating all these blood-related supplements, the wound coagulated instantly, forming a clot. A Baid-Aid was not even necessary.

Imagine my surprise and my delight.

Many people with heart issues get a prescription for blood thinners and then must restrict their intake of green vegetables that have Vitamin K in them, such as broccoli and kale/spinach/collards. I have successfully kept my blood heart-healthy thin with Shaklee’s supplements! If you want to find out about these individual supplements made by Shaklee, go to my shopping page www.HiHoHealth.com and explore the various suggestions for a healthy heart.

My doctor will be happy that I probably won’t bleed very much during the surgery. As soon as the procedure is over, I’ll go back to helping my heart remain healthy as I age. One could argue that a prescription would cost nothing or be partly covered by health insurance. Supplementation is expensive. I prefer to use a plant based, scientifically researched vitamin or herb created by Shaklee scientists to do the job of helping me maintain excellent health even though it costs quite a bit of money each month. Some websites I researched suggested you can get all these heart-healthy anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants from your food. I tried that before I met the person who introduced me to Shaklee and it wasn’t working. I can’t eat enough kale to do the job. Can you?

Be well, Do well, and Keep Moving, Betsy

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Thanks for reading.

Gentle Reader,

I was talking with a guy last night who had to have an operation for his hip. The osteoarthritis had become so advanced into the hip joint that various movements were impeded. A long time supplement user, he fortified himself with various supplements in order to tolerate the operation well and heal quickly. He is a little disappointed with how long it has taken to get back to a range of motion he hoped for. He is apprehensive about the operation waiting for his other hip.

As a wellness advisor, I have counseled many people about steps they might take to prepare for surgery, all kinds of surgery, whether for cancer or for arthritis and bone issues. I thought I would share with you the document I have developed over the years. Please add your own thoughts if you have had surgery and found alternative supplementation and actions that have helped with healing.

Before Surgery:

Soy protein 2 x daily (if taking chemo, increase to 3-4 x daily)

Vita-Lea 3-4/daily (Shaklee’s multivitamin-mineral supplement)

Fiber Tablets or Mix: Soluble fiber (bloodstream), insoluble fiber (gut)

Herb Lax: Cleanses gut, blood

Vita. C Sustained Release w/bioflavinoids: anti-inflammatory, new cells grow faster, immune system support, helps w/pain. Take a minimum of 3-4 of 500 mg./da – up to 10,000 mg. (gradually decrease since body has to adjust to excreting excess)

B-Complex: aids in good digestion. Depleted by stress. Take 8/da – space out

Zinc: Helps w/pain, healing, no more than 50-60 mg./day except when there is trauma like a cut or incision (up to 120 mg./da until healed). Body can’t make new cells w/o zinc, protein, & C.

Immunity Formula I: 2-8/da (A proprietary Shaklee supplement to enhance the immune response.)

Carotomax: Cleanses cells, reduces inflammation (swelling), makes mucous membranes healthy. Especially helpful if using breathing machine.

Vitamin E: Oxygenates cells, gets rid of toxins of anesthesia.

DO NOT take GLA, E, OmegaGuard (fish oil), Garlic or lecithin before surgery. Stop 1 week prior.

Alfalfa (vitamin K): 10-20/da to reduce bleeding during & after surgery.

Garlic: Helps flora, antibacterial agent. Not before surgery as is a blood thinner.

NutriFeron: Take 4 for 2 weeks. (A proprietary herbal blend that stimulates interferon production.)

OsteoMatrix: Coats nerve endings, helps repair them quicker, helps you relax so you can sleep deeper (can take w/Gentle Sleep Complex). (This is Shaklee’s calcium product.)

Iron: Need blood test to know if needed. (Shaklee’s comes with vitamin c to help absorption.)

After Surgery:

Performance: Dilute more than usual, make ice chips out of it, & start taking slowly as soon as feel like it. (Shaklee’s rehydrating drink, perfectly balanced for absorption.)

Protein: Take as soon as can drink but don’t feel nauseated. Alternate with Physique. (Physique is Shaklee after workout maximize, excellent for healing sore muscles.)

Liver DTX: 2 at night (Shaklee’s detox milk thistle product to help restore normalcy after the medications of surgery.)

Stomach Soothing complex: Helps calm digestive system if feeling queezy. Made with peppermint and ginger, can be taken as a tablet or dissolved into hot water for tea.

Vita-Cal: Helps reduce gas bubbles. (A chewable Shaklee calcium product)

Fiber: Start w/very small amounts to start cleansing. A Fiber Blend tablet or ¼ tsp. Fiber Blend.

Vitamin E 400+: 4-6/da. Prevents blood clots, oxygenates. Start slowly if high blood pressure is an issue.

Lecithin: Helps build sheath around nerve endings which helps reduce pain. 6 daily

GLA: Up to 6/da, anti-inflammatory. (Shaklee makes their GLA from borage oil for best absorption and least contamination)

Omega Guard (fish oil): If you digest it well.

Alfalfa: Diuretic, liver cleanser, reduces swelling, helps kidneys, etc. start working again. 20 daily

Herb-Lax: Start slowly. Very helpful after surgery as elimination slows down so much from the anesthetic. Take to the hospital. From personal experience, this is super important.

Purified Water: very important

B-Complex: Promotes healing, increases energy level.

Ginseng: Helps energy & supports adrenal glands. (Shaklee’s CorEnergy)

Dandelion leaf: Swelling & inflammation. (Not a Shaklee product)

Optiflora pills and powder is strongly recommended to rebuild the flora. 1 serving daily of this pre and pro biotic made by Shaklee

This is a tall order when you may not be used to taking so much stuff.

The minimum pre-op is Energizing Soy Protein, Vita C, Optiflora, Vita lea Gold and Alfalfa

Post op: Physique, Vita C, Vita E, Optiflora, Vita Lea Gold, Alfalfa, Herb lax, Lecithin.

I have gleaned this information primarily from Carol Dalton, a nurse practitioner in Colorado who, during her long practice, has found the Shaklee supplements to work best for her patients. People who have followed this protocol have had remarkable healing and suffered the least from the trauma of surgery.

Be Well, Do Well and Keep Moving,

Betsy

BetsyBell’s Health4u

206 933 1889

Tag: surgery

Blood can be thick or thin

But I have to have an operation!