Arthroscopic surgery is truly a modern miracle. It's difficult to focus on this however, when faced with a roomful of people wearing strange green outfits that cover from head to toe. Only their eyes are exposed and these are covered with a scary contraption that gives the surgeon an up close and personal view inside your body.
Around you there is an array of video monitors and strange instruments with tiny robot-like tools for cutting, grinding, sucking and stitching you back together. While these are intimidating, it's somewhat reassuring to note that at least one instrument - a miniature camera - will document the surgeon's work. The visual evidence following arthroscopic surgery is truly amazing. Just two or three tiny wounds and a small incision attest to what's happened to you. The wounds heal very quickly and you're on your way - at least from the surgeon's point of view. And here's where it gets interesting.
The Healer is Among Us
Each of us is our own healer. The surgeon is a technician - albeit a very skilled one - and we are grateful for his or her work. However, the first thing to keep in mind is that it's up to you to heal yourself. It will be a full time job that can take four to six weeks to accomplish.
Before surgery you will need to educate yourself fully. Select a surgeon that takes pride in his or her work and likes to tell you exactly what will hapen. Most orthopedic surgeons have charts and models they can use to explain your injury and what needs to be done. Get totally enrolled in what your body has done for you and what you now need to do to it. Ask plenty of questions as to where the incisions will be, how big and what instrument will go where. Review your X-rays and MRI with the surgeon. Fully disclose any medications or supplements you are taking.
Find out what procedures will be needed and what kind of anesthesia. You will still get knockout medication to keep you from "knee jerk" reactions during surgery. Finally find out what kind of physical therapy will be needed and how long. Choose your therapist.
Healing requires mind and body. You have the power to direct healing with your thoughts. Find books on meditaton and healing techniques. Perhaps engage in Qi Gong or Tai Chi practices. Learn how to relax your body and visualize the healing taking place.
Avail yourself of energy healing techniques such as acupuncture, Reiki, massage, gentle yoga. Choose your caregivers carefully and allow them to assist you in your healing journey. If possible get someone at home to help with shopping, meals and househld task.
Imagine what your body will be going through. It will be shocked and horrified at what has happened and it will be poisoned by anesthetics and pain medications. Honor this and love, encourage and reassure yourself as you heal. Don't fear pain but view it as healing energy.
Choose bland, easy to digest foods especially during the first week following surgery. Medications will make your body acidic and you will need to choose more alkaline foods and avoid animal products except for yougurt, cheese and eggs. Digestion will be showed because so much energy is going into healing. These are the digestive aids you should choose.
For healing you will need
Since we are talking about joint surgery, you will need specific supplements to reduce inflammation and provide molecules for rebuilding:
Joint surgery will leave you very tired and physically drained as energy is directed towards healing. You can boost your energy supplies with: