| Question: | | | | increasing aches and pains and impairing healing. So |
| My mother is going into hospital shortly for a | | | | avoid all citrus fruits, sour-tasting foods, chillis, nuts |
| hip-replacement operation. She wants to be in as | | | | and fast foods (which contain preservatives such |
| good health as possible for the surgery so she can | | | | as citric acid).A void alcohol for one month before |
| get better quickly afterwards. Do you have any | | | | and two months after surgery to improve energy. |
| suggestions? I also have a girlfriend waiting for a | | | | Smokers should try to stop - and avoid passive |
| kidney transplant- would the same advice apply to | | | | smoking too - to clear the lungs for anaesthesia. If |
| her? | | | | you have indigestion and/or heartburn already, it |
| Answer: | | | | indicates excess stomach acid, so take Alive |
| Surgery is very stressful, mainly because you have | | | | Stomach Formula (tablets): two twice daily for one |
| so little control. You worry, about whether the | | | | month or until it improves. This dietary approach will |
| surgical team is experienced and competent, how | | | | also help your friend who is awaiting kidney surgery. |
| long it will take you to recover, what the pain level | | | | * Constipation tends to occur after surgery and |
| will be and, these dap, about MRSA. | | | | causes additional discomfort. It also impairs calcium |
| Unfortunately pre- and postoperative care is often | | | | absorption in the colon, which may affect the healing |
| poorly organised in this country. No one knows | | | | of bones. If you are constipated anyway the |
| whose responsibility it is. Often, there is virtually | | | | problem will probably get worse. Take Alive |
| nothing beforehand. However, a helpful and proactive | | | | Bowelease (tablets): one for mild constipation, two |
| GP may take over to help with pain control and guide | | | | for severe, at bedtime, as needed. |
| you through aftercare and rehabilitation. In the case | | | | * For hip surgery it is important to help the joints. |
| of hip- or knee replacement surgery pre-operative | | | | Take Alive Joint and Ligament Support (tablets): one |
| care is particularly necessary. Often the condition | | | | twice daily after meals to reduce inflammation and |
| necessitating surgery means that patients have pain | | | | improve healing. Start one month before surgery |
| or stiffness that prevents them doing much exercise, | | | | and continue for one month after. I also recommend |
| so their muscles become wasted. Most of my | | | | home-made chicken broth. Chop a medium size |
| patients have a period of physical therapy (diet, | | | | organic chicken, leaving theskin on, then boil for 90 |
| massage and gentle exercise, such as walking, for 30 | | | | minutes with lots of garlic and , a quarter teaspoon |
| minutes daily) before surgery to build their muscles, | | | | each of turmeric and cinnamon. Strain and skim, |
| so that they are at an advantage when it comes to | | | | then store in the fridge. Heat one cup and drink an |
| rehabilitation. | | | | hour before, dinner every day, from two weeks |
| These are my suggestions | | | | before to one month after surgery. |
| * If your mother has movement difficulties, she can | | | | * Massage the buttock hip, groin and inner thigh |
| write to Iyengar yoga teacher Giselle Davidian at the | | | | areas of the affected side with Weleda Massage |
| Integrated Medical Centre for advice on specific | | | | Balm before bed, for one month before surgery. |
| exercises.Write a brief description of the nature of | | | | * I suggest three supplements. Take coral calcium for |
| the pain and difficulties of movement (for example, | | | | one month before and three months after surgery: |
| raising leg climbing stairs, getting into a bath). | | | | soak two sachets in 1.5 litres of still water and sip |
| *Anyone overweight should shed the excess: this is | | | | throughout the day. Following surgery take two |
| particularly important for hips andknees. A weight-loss | | | | tablets of homoeopathic arnica 30, three times daily |
| programme should start three months before | | | | between meals for l5 days and one Lamberts Gentle |
| surgery. My approach is detailed in Dr Ali's Weight | | | | vitamin C tablet daily for one month. |
| Loss Plan. Your mother may not be overweight, but | | | | * It is important to do some kind of relaxation and |
| a really good diet will help improve stamina and innate | | | | or meditation as well, such as I detailed my lifestyle |
| healing power, so cutting down on her inpatient stay. | | | | DVD (Integrated Health Group), to manage the |
| Generally, it is important to avoid acidic or sour foods | | | | stress of preparing for surgery. |
| because they produce more stomach acid, thus | | | | |