The best way to heal after surgery is to allow the body to restore balance itself. In truth, nothing can really increase the speed of the healing process. But, it is possible to slow down the body’s ability to heal after surgery. Poor nutrition and a lack of sleep/rest are huge roadblocks on the body’s road to recovery.

Every procedure has a standard natural history for healing but when you return to 100% largely depends upon your constitutional health going into the surgery. Athletes in the prime of their careers heal fast, although many still return to play far too quickly. Elderly and ill individuals can undergo the same procedure with much different results.

Surgeons and your medical team will often give you general recommendations for recovery, but their major focus is the job at hand. If you have an ankle surgery, you may be asked to elevate your foot to the level of your heart for several days following the operation. If you are coming off a C-section or another abdominal incision, the recommendations may revolve around not lifting anything heavy for several weeks. These recommendations are either time-tested or based upon the team’s working knowledge of your situation. Listen to them.  Limiting the execution of this vital information routinely leads to poor results. But know also that you can do more for yourself beyond the general recommendations.

If you have recently or are about to have a surgery, returning to work and play requires some attention to foundational health. Ask your surgeon if he or she has a recommendation for a nutritionally-oriented practitioner to support this process. This is ideal so the baton of medical care is passed without fumble.

Stay tuned next week for more tips for healing after surgery.

About the Author

Originally trained as a chiropractic doctor, Dr. Schuler expanded his knowledge into several fields before landing on  clinical nutrition and botanical medicine. He is a board-certified physician (CNS) with the Certification Board of Nutrition Specialists and has held positions in the natural products industry since 2009.

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