Surgery as a Healing Ritual

Though you may not be conscious of it, the surgical experience itself contains all the elements of a true healing ritual. Going through surgery almost always includes the following;

Asking for help and accepting it because despite everything you’ve been willing to do, It’s time to accept outside assistance.
Leaving your regular routine, temporarily separating from friends and loved ones, and entering unknown territory with no guarantees.
Surrendering control of your body to people, places, and sources outside yourself and placing faith in something other than yourself.
Waking up to a new self, which may not be the same body you started out with. If you have lost an organ you may have to do some grieving for a time. In addition your post operative body may not tolerate the lifestyle that you had, which may be a blessing if that lifestyle included unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or even working too much.
Feeling renewed. For many people, surgery is a life-changing event that marks the beginning of a whole new era. It should be planned for and approached as the significant event it is for both your body and your life.

Your Game Plan

Plan your surgery if it is elective. Keep in mind that most surgeries, even those involving cancer, can be scheduled a few weeks or even months in advance. Dr. McClure will let you know if he feels it is necessary to proceed right away. We will do what is comfortable for you and your schedule. Advance planning when possible gives you a sense of control. Find out what financial responsibility you have with your insurance company. Request that your procedure be scheduled at the hospital that pays you the best benefit. We will call your Insurance Company to obtain pre-certification for the procedure.

Omit aspirin and aspirin containing products including vitamin E in doses of greater than 400IU for a least 1 week before surgery. Advise your surgeon if you are taking a blood thinner such as coumadin or plavix.

Take Supplements That Promote Healing

These are some general recommendations to promote healing. You may choose to incorporate some of these in your pre and post-op routine. Most of the following are available at your local health food store (for example, Wellspring Grocery). Our Center also carries some supplements for your convenience.

Rescue Remedy: A Bach herbal flower essence, for sudden illness, and emergencies: use several drops of this tincture under your tongue 3-4 times a day pre and post operatively.

Homeopathic Arnica 30X: Place a tablet under your tongue just before, and right after surgery. It’s all right to use sublingual dosing pre-op and still be considered fasting. Continue to take as directed the first week after surgery.

Echinacea and Goldenseal: Herbs that stimulate and support your immune system, available in capsules, tinctures and teas. Take as directed or 2-4 times daily.

Vitamin C: Taken as an antioxidant for wound healing and immune support. Take Vitamin C to bowel tolerance. Do this by taking a 1 gram dose every hour or two until you get loose stools. Your daily dose is 1 gram less than that amount. Vitamin C is safe in large doses. Begin as soon as you know you’re having surgery and continue this dose for about a month afterward. Take daily in divided doses.

Zinc: 60 mg daily, important for tissue repair

Garlic: a natural antibiotic that enhances immune function. Use 2-3 cloves, or odorless tablets containing 4000mg-standardized garlic, twice daily.

Multivitamin complex with vitamin A and natural beta-carotene: A high potency vitamin will have zinc.

Bowel Consideration: Anesthesia quiets the intestinal tract. It is a great idea to prepare your colon for surgery by using Aloe Vera juice for 2 or 3 days pre- operatively. Take it according to the directions on the bottle. You can purchase Aloe Vera juice at the health food or drug store. Remember these suggestions post-operatively: drink plenty of water, increase activity as tolerated, walk, breathe, and move. Eat foods that promote bowel movements for you. Continue Aloe Vera, or trifala, (3fruits) as natural approaches. Consider stool softeners, or other necessary laxatives as recommended by your doctor. Prevention is key to comfort. Use diaphragmatic breathing, consciously bringing your breath into your abdomen. Enhance your bowel function by thinking of your favorite foods.

Probiotics: Use when antibiotics are prescribed to prevent secondary infection like yeast. Acidophilus, bifidus and other probiotics stabilize the intestinal bacterial flora, or “good bacteria” Take as directed 2-3 times daily concurrently with antibiotics, approximately 2 hours from the antibiotic dose. Buy capsules from the refrigerated section of the health food store. Purchase probiotics with “billions” not “millions of bacteria for effectiveness.

REST:

Consider melatonin 3mg, one at bedtime to promote sleep. Melatonin is not habit forming. Try to keep your days and nights on schedule. Avoid long naps during the day.

Consider having an energy worker present in the operating room

Call our office to inquire about scheduling an appointment with an energy healer prior to surgery. An energy healer has operating room privileges and can accompany you into the OR to be present for you during your procedure. We recommend that you have a session or more before the procedure.

Relax beforehand by doing what works for you

Studies demonstrate that using a relaxation technique such as massage, hypnosis, meditation, or guided imagery prior to surgery may help you come through a procedure particularly well. Choosing to listen to relaxation tapes, beautiful music, or doing something that you love can keep you from focusing on the surgery. Consider taking your favorite music to the operating room with a walk man. Let the staff know when you pre-test before surgery about your intentions. We have tapes you may borrow to guide you through the operating room and surgical experience.

Prepare yourself by receiving bodywork

Consider bringing your body into balance with the help of one of the following healing therapies:

Massage Therapy, by a certified therapist will assist you in identifying areas in your body where you hold stress. Gentle manipulations by persons qualified in craniosacral, lymphatic, Trager, or other massage modalities will benefit your healing and recovery. Yoga is a proven modality for stress reduction and pain management that is beneficial both before and after surgery. The gentle stretching done with yoga helps prevent constipation.

Chiropractic assessments and adjustments are particularly helpful after long procedures where your body is still in one position for an extended period of time.

You want your body, mind and spirit to be in balance and harmony to provide the best possible healing experience. My wish is that everyone considers this a necessity. Some insurance companies are beginning to reimburse for bodywork as they acknowledge the benefits related to quicker recovery. My philosophy is you are worth every penny spent out of pocket if your insurance does not cover this. It is an affirmation to your body that you are willing to care for yourself. I have a list of certified gifted therapists.

Create a healing atmosphere for yourself following surgery

Free yourself from as many routine activities as possible during your recovery phase, which may last several weeks depending on your operation. It takes awhile to get your mind and body back to normal function following surgery and if you want to heal on the deepest possible level, you shouldn’t push it. Instead plan to indulge yourself a bit. Set up your home environment ahead of time keeping in mind the little things that will help you during your recovery. Compile your favorite books, videos, and tapes beforehand so you will have something you enjoy.

Enlist several friends to be with you at the hospital and at home.

Most importantly, if you have to be in the hospital for more than one night, have a friend spend nights with you or hire someone to do this. Hospitals are very understaffed these days and nighttime can be difficult. Feeling safe and knowing that you have support can lessen your pain considerably. If friends want to know how to help, ask them to prepare a meal for you or clean your home. Don’t rely on just one friend; it’s to exhausting for one person to care for another without a break. If you tend to be very self-sufficient learn to accept support graciously.

We can’t all be givers all of the time or there would be no one to whom the givers can give! Think of it as providing an opportunity for others to give—this time you’re the receiver. Learning to receive can be a precious gift of surgery.

Practice Gratitude and Forgiveness

Compile a list of people to thank for doing things for you. When you feel better write a note to those people. Think of the ordinary things in your life for which you are grateful. Notice the beauty in your surroundings. Feed the birds and ducks. Find reasons to appreciate your life. Live, Love and Laugh! Use a pillow or your own healing hands to support your incision when sneezing, coughing and laughing. Consider Forgiveness as a powerful tool in healing. Forgiveness can include forgiving yourself as well as others.

Take advantage of the healing power of prayer.

Contact your minister, your church’s prayer ministry or any other prayer ministry you know of, or Silent Unity prayer list by phoning 816-969-2000 or web address at www.unityworldhq.org/silentu.htm. You might want to ask some friends to participate in one or more Healing Circles before or after surgery– you could tailor them to suit your spiritual needs. Light candles or create a healing alter for yourself in your hospital room or home. . Use affirmations, listen to meditation tapes designed to promote healing or ask someone to simply hold your hand and sit quietly with you. In the hospital, the chaplain is someone who will respect your spirituality and provide the spiritual support you need. You can ask for his or her support before or after surgery or any time while you are in the hospital.

Listen to your Body

The time following surgery is tailor made for learning how to listen to your body. The surgical experience makes you more sensitive emotionally, physically, and spiritually than at other times. Do try to keep alert during the day so you can sleep well at night. I consider resting as having your feet up during the day. You can talk on the phone, write letters, read, work at your computer with your feet up and still be in a resting mode. Naps are fine if they do not interfere with sleep at night.

Help us to know how we can better prepare others for surgery. Your suggestions are welcome.

Consider Volunteering to speak with other patients who may be having the same procedure as you are. Other ways to help are limited only by your imagination. Call me to discuss your ideas.

Prepared by: Cheri Elliott RN the incredibly privileged partner of your surgeon, Mark W. McClure, Healer MD

Resources used to prepare this information:

Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing - Balch
Dr. Andrew Weil’s Self Healing newsletter - Sept. 97
Dr. Christiane Northrup’s Health Wisdom for Women - Feb 2000
Mind/Body Medicine, Consumer Report Books:
- Preparing for Surgery and Medical Procedures by Henry Bennett PhD. and Elizabeth Disbrow MA

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