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Nutrition and Preparation for Eye Surgery, Part 2
Last week I did a post on some of the nutrition research I did leading up to my surgery and foods to incorporate to support surgery recovery. This week I am focusing on more than just food, and sharing some specific things I am doing to prepare. I'm not going to lie, though. The closer I get to that surgery date, the more anxious I am getting.
Again, let me start out by saying that I am not a licensed medical professional. My notes below are from my own research for my own use. Do your own research and consult with a qualified medical professional for advice specific to your own needs. Every person is different and what worked for me may not work for you.
What Are Some Nonfood Ways to Prepare?
What are some nonfood ways to prepare yourself for surgery? The biggest suggestion is managing stress. Surgery, whether planned or unexpected, is a huge stressor in a person’s life. Managing that stress can be instrumental in a person’s recovery according to Diane Sanfilippo in the Balanced Bites Podcast episode 57.
Ways to manage stress might include walking, playing with a pet, reading a book, working on a hobby or craft project, listening to music, watching television or getting a massage. If you have time prior to surgery, it might be a good idea to think about the kinds of activities that bring you joy and find ways to incorporate those into your recovery time.
My Presurgery Preparations
What have I been doing to prepare myself for surgery since I found out? I spent one weekend making multiple batches of bone broth in my Instant Pot so my freezer is well-stocked for both before and after surgery. I cleaned out my refrigerator and got rid of old condiments and things. I defrosted the big, old freezer in the basement so I could reorganize the pile of stuff in there. Apparently, I need to make more pork chop recipes.
Why do all this? Well, knowing what I have means I can spend less time shopping for groceries while I am recuperating. Plus, I don’t have to fear the attack of the frozen roast. No lie, when I was a kid, a neighbor got hit with a frozen chuck roast hard enough to knock her out when she opened her freezer door. She called emergency services when she came to. It’s a pretty funny story, but, no joke, frozen chuck roasts are easily potential weapons. I don’t need to add “head injury subsequent to falling frozen beef roast” to my medical history.
I've made a valiant attempt at gummies. They are good, but I need to remember to strain the fruit before adding the gelatin. Mine are a little crunchy from the berry seeds. I made a pork roast in my Instant Pot the other day, shredded it up and portioned it out into a few packs for the freezer. Maybe a few extra chores around the house… or maybe not.
Besides avoiding chores and cooking ahead, I am also planning ways I can rest and yet still do enjoyable things. Creative activities feed my soul and are a huge stress-reliever for me. Actively managing stress is an important part of recovery so I am building that into my plan. I am lining up various types of things I enjoy doing so I have choices, depending on how I feel after the surgery. This is eye surgery so I’m keeping my expectations low. I plan to check out my Kindle wish list for a book or two to splurge on if I feel up to reading afterwards. I’ve got plenty of craft projects I can work on if I feel I can manage. There are several quilts that I can work on. I’m also working on some creative writing so I can do some of that as well. Even just planning a project is fun for me.
Next week, I'll talk about my post-surgery preparations, and maybe share a little bit about how the surgery itself went.
References
www.balancedbites.com, Podcast episodes 9, 36, 57 and 255
Eat the Yolks by Liz Wolfe
www.eatright.org/resource/health/wellness/preventing-illness/5-top-foods-for-eye-health
www.eatright.org/resource/fitness/training-and-recovery/endurance-and-cardio/eating-for-strength-and-recovery
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15018479
Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo
www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/011315p10.shtml
