I'm just about two and half weeks away from surgery, and although I'm anxious and even a little afraid (mostly of the anesthesia), I feel as mentally and physically prepared as I can be for it.
To summarize for everyone, I've basically done the following to prepare for surgery to the the extent that I go in as healthy a person as possible (and with my Doc's "supervision").
- I've gone Flexi-Vegan since 1/1
- By "flexi" I mean flexible of course. I generally erred on the side of healthy when I did stray from my vegan diet. I had eggs on a few weekends. And I'm not sure I can give up fish tacos because I've definitely had those at least once a week. Other than that, I've been good, and kept strictly to plant based meals.
- Wait. Just remembered that I also had a pulled pork sandwich on Superbowl Sunday. That $h!& was good.
- I power cycle/yoga 4-6 x week 1/1
- I've been at a consistent 6 days for 3 weeks now!
- I've been taking Bromelain, Turmeric, and food based multi-vitamins (see earlier posts for details)
- I will also be seeing a Chinese herbal doctor 2 days after surgery to pick up my healing herbal tea's (tea's specifically for joint pain and swelling), and for Acupuncture
- I've cut down on the coffee (I drink maybe 1 coffee mug's worth a day)
- I'm giving it up as of 2/22 (2 weeks before surgery).
- I drink 72 oz or more of water everyday
- I used to be very bad at drinking enough water. I mean, I had some each day, but I always knew it wasn't enough. Now that I'm in the habit of drinking lots of water I can't get enough of it. This is good because I'll need to force myself to drink as much water as possible post surgery.
If anything, this "experiment" in lifestyle change certainly has been eye opening. I find it less and less difficult to stick to a vegan diet, and I find it odd but a good thing that I crave certain "good" foods instead of Ben & Jerry's all the time. I sleep really well, and I feel so clear headed and focused that I joke I'm some kind of superhero. :) In fact, I went to the eye doctor last week because I felt my vision had gotten worse, only to find out that it had improved in one eye. Not only that, but it seems everyone around me is catching this death flu going around, and I'm happy to report that I haven't had so much as a sniffle. Of course I'm not taking any chances, I carry anti bacterial gel with me everywhere I go. After all this prep, I WILL NOT have this surgery pushed back because I catch something.
I've also had my last teeth cleaning before surgery, and was happy to hear my gums and teeth are looking healthy. Thank you water-pik! I wish I had known about this thing the whole time I've had braces on! I know fellow blogger, Corrinne has raved about hers as well, and I totally agree with her--- definitely get one for optimal gum health.
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| Me & my big sis circa 2005 |
I've decided to leave all the "shopping" until the family gets here. They'll keep me from being frugal, and make sure I buy quality items for recovery and comfort. In the mean time, all that's left to do is wait. Let the wait begin.
Hi Adrienne :)
ReplyDeleteOh you must be super excited now!
It's great you have your family there for you on the day. I keep on forgetting that it will be difficult for our loved ones too - it will be so nerve wracking for them while we are actually having the surgery, so it will be great for your family to have each other :)
All of your commitment is making me think I ought to perhaps get a little bit more fit. The only exercise I do is a tiny bit of yoga when my neck is sore from my TMD - so that's about 20 minutes a month!
Hi Corrinne! Yes, I am sooo excited, but as the date creeps closer, I'm having more and more "nervous moments." I've decided to up the yoga a bit this week--- who knows, maybe I'm a few "oms" away from inner peace (lol). I definitely encourage a good routine physical activity that you find (a)challenging (b) interesting (enough) and (c) beneficial. If 20 min of yoga/month helps your TMD, imagine what 20 minutes a day could do! Or even 20 minutes a week! I have NEVER EVER in my life worked out this much (or been this healthy for that matter), and although a small part of me still dreads the act of GOING to the "gym," that feeling gets less and less the more I go. AND I always remind myself going in, that I may hate the first 5 minutes, but I NEVER hate having gone at the end of the hour. After I'm done, I'm proud of myself and cross my fingers and hope I can do it again tomorrow! :)
ReplyDeleteAdrienne when is your surgery? I feel ya on the germX part it was like everybody at my job was getting sick bk in January then boom I got it sinus infection I had kept telling myself noooooo way im too close to surgery to have it pushed bk so thankfully I got better week before surgery time!!!! I go bk for my follow up next Tue im going to ask my dr can I work out seeing that I have lost some much needed weight!!!!yayyyyy. Ttyl L.A. chick
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