Integrative approaches to surgery at a glance
An integrative approach to surgery involves actively preparing for surgery, making wise choices about pain control during and after surgery, and promoting a balanced body terrainthe internal conditions of your body, including nutritional status, fitness, blood sugar balance, hormone balance, inflammation and more all throughout your surgery experience. Integrative approaches starting before surgery can improve your resilience, your response to surgery, and your recovery.
Addressing body terrain imbalances such as blood sugar and insulin resistance, excess body weight, and poor muscle density can improve your survival and reduce complications from surgery. Prehabilitation (prehab) can be part of your preparation for surgery to address imbalances.
Top prehab practices are Eating Well and Moving More, but other practices are also part of a prehab approach called enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS).
Because many prescription drugs, supplements, and natural products can interact with anesthesia or promote bleeding, these should be stopped well before surgery. Be sure your healthcare team knows about all the medications and products you’re using.
Anxiety and stress are common before surgery. Managing and reducing your anxiety and stress responses can improve your experience and outcomes.
Your choices of nutrition, anesthesia, and pain control during and after surgery can promote more rapid healing and better long-term outcomes.