Surgery and Post-op Issues

Dosage: See the individual remedies for directions but in all cases:

If no improvement, try a different remedy.
When symptoms improve, stop.
Remedies may be repeated if symptoms return
or see the Dosage Chart

Notes:

If a self-selected remedy – however well indicated – doesn’t help and your symptoms do not improve or are worse than you were led to expect by your surgeon, contact him or her.
You will be instructed to not eat or drink before surgery to prevent vomiting while under anesthesia. There have been no reported complications (choking or vomiting) due to taking a homeopathic remedy before surgery – these dissolve in your mouth and do not sit in your stomach.
Dosing varies among practitioners. Some prefer 200C and others prefer lower doses. The doses recommended below can be used as guidelines for you to discuss with your practitioner. If they work, no need to change. If not, a different dose or different remedy may be considered.

Symptoms	Remedy
May help prevent infection May help prevent hemorrhage View Remedy	Ferrum phosphorica 6C 4 times/day for two days prior to surgery
First step before and after surgery Pre-op and post-op for pain To decrease shock and bruising View Remedy	Arnica 200C right before surgery 200C when awake from anesthesia 200C before going to sleep that night Repeated every 4-6 hours for two days If pain is too severe, see Dr. Samet’s protocol next
Drs. Samet, Saine, Torok, and Gilchrest’s surgery protocol: to help with pain View Remedy	Arnica 200C 1 hour before surgery Arnica 200C during surgery (by anesthetist) Arnica 200C when anesthesia starts to wear off Wait 5 minutes. If pain better, repeat every 20 minutes until pain almost gone up to 5 more doses If pain not better after 5 minutes: Hypericum 200C every 20 minutes up to 6 total doses If pain returns hours later, repeat In non-orthopedic cases, Bellis perennis 1M Every 20 min up to 4 doses In ortho cases where Hypericum fails, try Bryonia alba 200C Every 20 minutes up to 4 doses.
Pre-surgical or dental anxiety Fear of dying in surgery Palpitations Panicky Post-surgery fear/anxiety At first sign of fever View Remedy	Aconitum napellus One or two doses of 30C or 200C 15 minutes apart; or One dose the night before and one dose the morning of surgery
To speed up healing of incision Prevent infection Infected incisions View Remedy	Calendula officinalis 6C three times/day for 20 days post op and Calendula officinalis ointment twice daily on incision after dressing removed
Pre-op anxiety Trembling with fear Weak View Remedy	Gelsemium 6C every 30 minutes before surgery do not exceed doses
Bad effects of anesthesia disorientation anxiety/fear nausea vomiting Nausea and vomiting after abdominal surgery Vomiting immediately after food/drinks warm in stomach View Remedy	Phosphorus 6C every 30 minutes do not exceed 10 doses Note: For those overly sensitive to anesthesia, Dr. Panos recommends taking a dose the night before surgery.
Post-op nausea, retching, vomiting Feeling hung over after anesthesia Post-op irritability and impatience Chilly Constipated View Remedy	Nux vomica 6C or 30C Every 2 hours during intense symptoms Every 4 hours during less intense discomfort
Persistent nausea and vomiting post-op Vomiting does not help View Remedy	Ipecac 6C or 30C Every 2 hours during intense symptoms every 4 hours for less intense symptoms
Violent, continuous vomiting Worse drinking cold water or eating Stomach feel like it is on fire View Remedy	Arsenicum album 6C or 30C Every 2 hours for intense symptoms Every 4 hours for less intense symptoms
Bladder full but cannot pass urine after surgery View Remedy	Causticum 30C Try one dose and if no success after 4 hours, repeat.
Difficulty waking up after surgery Dull, sleepy, snoring, stuporous Fright when remembering surgery Constipation/ileus after surgery Unable to urinate (bladder paralysis) after surgery View Remedy	Opium Not available in US Available through European pharmacies
Post-op sore throat due to laryngeal mask insertion Hoarseness Difficulty speaking Difficulty swallowing View Remedy	Arnica montana See Tzintzas/Vithoulkas study below 200C Supervised by professional For healthy patients Take one dose Repeat up to twice over 36 hours only if needed 6, 12, 30C For patients not in robust health Repeat more frequently if needed
Pain from surgery to abdomen/soft tissue organs breast, uterus, liver, spleen, etc Post-abdominal laparoscopy View Remedy	Bellis perennis 200C 1-2 times daily
Shooting pain after surgery tongue, genitals, bladder Pain from trauma to nerves Severe pain after eye surgery Amputation Spine surgery View Remedy	Hypericum 30C Every 4 hours Higher potencies may be needed for nerve related amputation pain
Significant pain after surgery Any tiny movement is excruciating Provokes nausea May have extreme thirst Helpful after appendicitis Follows Arnica in ortho cases View Remedy	Bryonia 30C See Dr. Samet, et al for protocol above; or Every 2 hours for intense symptoms Every 4 hours for less intense symptoms
Gastrectomy Post-op constipation with no urging Post operative ileus Painful gas with distention abdomen unable to pass gas View Remedy	Raphanus Pain: 30C Every 2 hours for intense pain every 4 hours for mild discomfort Trapped gas: Alternate Opium, Raphanus and Arnica 9 or 12C Every 2 hours
Complications post-urethra procedures catheterization cystoscopy Post-surgery incision pain area oversensitive to touch Post-op pain lasting longer than expected Hysterectomy slow to heal complications Episiotomy Circumcision Healing difficulties Wound is red, sensitive View Remedy	Staphysagria 6C or 30C 3-4 times/day up to 5 days
Emotions/grief after: Miscarriage Abortion View Remedy	Ignatia 30C every 4 hours
Breast removal Lumpectomy Post-op bleeding/oozing View Remedy	Hamamelis 30C every 4 hours
Prostate surgery View Remedy	Staphysagria 30C 3 times/day
Appendectomy Tonsillectomy Adenoidectomy View Remedy	Rhus toxicodendron 3-6 times/day depending on severity
Gallbladder surgery View Remedy	Lycopodium 30C 3 times/day
Eye surgery Infected incision Varicose vein surgery View Remedy	Ledum 30C every 4 hours for severe pain
Orthopedic surgery involving: cartilage/periosteum (lining around bone) View Remedy	Ruta graveolens 30C every 4 hours
Dental surgery View Remedy	Hypericum 30C alternating with Ruta graveolens 30C every 2-4 hours
Irritability and overly sensitive after surgery Won’t let anyone touch or examine them Not happy with anything or anyone View Remedy	Chamomilla
Post-op infections High fever Body aches View Remedy	Pyrogenium
Pain from amputation Cuts to the eye Cuts penetrating to the bone View Remedy	Symphytum higher potencies may be needed if nerve related pain
Phantom pains after amputation (also Hypericum, Symphytum above) View Remedy	Allium cepa high potencies may be needed for nerve related pains

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