Pre- and Post-Surgery Health

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Pre- and Post-Surgery Health
The road to recovery starts with understanding what your body needs before, during, and after surgery. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
  • Enjoy some ginger

    Reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting by taking 1 gram of encapsulated ginger powder 60 minutes before receiving general anesthesia

  • Think nutrition

    Eat a high-quality, balanced diet, and use nutritional supplements to prevent malnutrition that can impair recovery from surgery

  • Say good-bye to smoking

    Prevent poor surgery outcomes and many other health problems by kicking the habit for good

Also indexed as:
  • after-surgery problems,
  • elective surgery,
  • getting ready for surgery,
  • planned surgery,
  • post-operation complications,
  • postoperative complications,
  • post-operative complications,
  • postoperative problems,
  • post-operative problems,
  • preparing for surgery,
  • problems after surgery,
  • questions to ask your doctor about the surgical procedure,
  • surgery,
  • surgery questions,
  • surgical procedure,
  • what to expect after surgery
Alternative Treatments

About this treatment

About This Condition

Major surgery causes serious stress to the body. The body’s immune system is weakened and gastrointestinal function is changed after major surgery, leaving the body vulnerable to infection and in a state of nutritional insufficiency. Steps can be taken using natural approaches to strengthen the body before and after surgery, enhance defenses, prevent complications, and speed recovery.

Holistic Options

Acupressure can be used to prevent nausea and vomiting. Wristbands designed to apply pressure to acupuncture points on the forearm were shown to effectively prevent post-operative nausea and vomiting in seven controlled trials and were as effective as an antinausea medication in another. One controlled trial found no benefit from acupressure wristbands.Acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) of a wrist acupuncture point have also been shown to be effective for post-operative nausea and vomiting in controlled trials. A controlled comparison study found that electroacupuncture of the wrist points controlled post-operative nausea and vomiting as well as antinausea medication and better than TENS, but both electro-acupuncture and TENS helped more than no treatment. A comprehensive review of research on acupuncture, electroacupuncture, TENS, acupoint stimulation, and acupressure for post-operative nausea and vomiting found these techniques to be more effective than placebo and as effective as commonly prescribed medications in adults but not in children. However, laser stimulation of the acupuncture points on the wrists both before and after surgery was effective for children in one controlled trial.

Last Review: 05-11-2011

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Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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