Totally raw and surgery concerns?

[Raw To Live]

I have suffered with endometriosis for a very long time. I'm scheduled for an uninvasive, outpatient laproscopic surgery on December 22nd. I've been raw for two weeks and I'm feeling so good I just don't want to stop being raw!

I'm concerned about the surgery and any complications that could arise because of my raw food lifestyle. I once heard Tonya Zavasta speak and she talked about her reconstructive hip surgery, which I realize is MUCH more extensive and invasive than a lap, but she talked about the one medication that they were going to give her would have killed her if she had not been aware of why they were using the medicine and what it would do to her. Unfortunately, it was two years ago that I heard her speak and I don't remember the particulars of that story. :(

Does anyone know of any complications that could arise, anything I should look out for? Any direction you can point me in to find more information?

Thank you for all of your help!

[rawstrength]

only 2 weeks raw, I think you should be fine.
Wishing you a safe surgery and a speedy recovery!

[GlimR]

I think there is only a potential problem when you are totally raw for years and your system has cleansed all the old toxins out, etc...your body becomes more sensitive to any drugs then. After just a few weeks or even several months raw I don't think you will have any problems with that. Best of luck~

[Revvell]

Tell the anesthesiologist about your concerns which, as others have said, at this time shouldn't be a problem. Were you vegan before that or eating SAD?

[Veganforlife]

Me personally? I would hold off on the surgery and do the 100% raw gig and see if it wouldn't clear it up on it's own. But that just ME speaking what I would do if I had to choose, that is what I would do.. I'm not a doctor, nor do I claim to be. But I feel eating heals one's body. I know. I'm living proof. I DARE a doctor to disprove me...

[Moretta]

Good luck on whatever you decide.

[jacsam]

Sounds like you've gotten alot of good advice.....good luck!

[Ilse W.]

I agree with Veganforlife 100%. I have read of hundreds of cases of what doctors call spontaneous healing. They call it that, because they can't admit that the body heals itself, that we do NOT need them and their drugs. If you've had it for years, there is no reason why you couldn't give it a few more months. Just my opinion. I wish you the best, no matter what your decision

[TaupeRawMan]

I had surgery about 6 months ago after being 100% raw for 2 years. I didn't have any complicatons. I told them no antibiotics. They were a little confused, but my surgeon was on board with it. Just be very careful of infection.

[Raw Angel Mom]

You got a better chance to heal way faster and quicker on raw food especially if you eat greens. Instead of using more energy and its own enzyme, your body will use way less and therefore more energy to do the repair, etc....

It took me two months only to recover from an injury that should have need a surgery and another year to heal. Raw food heal.

Best wishes on your surgery!

[RawHeaven]

I had a 6 hour reconstructive knee operation June '07. I was raw before, during and after. I'm convinced being raw assisted in my speedy recovery. I only needed pain meds for 10 days and my body really healed very well. I juiced a lot after the surgery.

If it's in-patient (hospital stay), bring your own food. Apples are good to move your bowels. Have some flax crackers or something solid to ingest with the pain medication.

If outpatient, you have more flexibility and freedom. I recommend lots of green smoothies, green juices and be sure to include a lot of ginger root which is simply an amazing food to ingest after surgery. Helps the tissues heal and reduces inflammation, not to mention helps with nausea you may experience because of the drugs, stress of surgery, etc. Ginger tea is good too - not totally raw but maybe bring some teabags with you if you're staying in the hospital. Flax or any similar fiber will help you move your bowels. Important because the drugs can cause constipation. Again, I think apples are a miracle food in this regard.

Also drink as much water as possible. If you don't have a cathetar, you may be on the bedpan a lot, but it's important to flush all of that gunk they put into your lungs (anesthesia) when you're under out of your system. And to keep hydrated of course.

Best wishes to you!! You can be raw after the surgery. :)

Edit: If you can do it post surgery, consider going to an acupuncturist when & if you're able. Will help tremendously with your recovery.

[Raw To Live]

Thank you all for your kind words and great suggestions. I was able to speak with Tonya today. She is such an intelligent, kind just a really sweet spirited person.

she states, like others of you have, that I haven't been raw long enough to worry about the anesthesia.

Her main concern was why I was having the surgery in the first place.

I am just so exhausted with the pain and this non-life. The doctor wants to cut the nerves from my uterus to my brain. Right now, this sounds like relief but I know that it's just "dumbing" the body down. My doctor is just trying to help me be pain free.

I know that pain signals that something is wrong but would someone, please, just tell me what that "something" is????? I've had cramps since about my 3rd or 4th period in my life and I've had them EVERY cycle since. I got my period at age 11 and I'm now 34. It used to be the when I got rid of the cramps, whether it took me 5 minutes or 5 hours once they were gone, they were gone. Now, my pain goes for days during my period and before I had my last lap it was all through the month and at the VERY WORST during my cycle.

The pain is excruciating!! I mean I'm doubled over in the fetal position, throwing up, can’t function, can’t go to work, wish I would die, debilitating pain!!

I was finally diagnosed as endo about 4 years ago after years of trying to get someone to JUST listen to me! I've heard everything from "all women have some type of period pain" to "it's in your head"!!!! When you've lived with the pain as long as I have you're just ready to finally have some relief even if it means just not feeling it.

I've had two laps and multiple assesments. . . if the pain is trying to tell me something is not right, I just would like to know what it is because I've had from almost the beginning of my period life.

Sorry for sounding so glum, I just feel like I'm at the bottom of the rope and it takes it's toll emotionally.

Thanks for listening.

[Eva]

Raw To Live -- There is SUCH a likely chance that being totally raw for some amount of time will help your body to heal itself!

What an awful experience to have every period. My periods are better since going raw, but they were never anything near what you've described. I hope you are able to find what you need to stick with it or do whatever else will help you to heal. :)

[RawHeaven]

I completely agree with Eva. I started my cycle super early and had horrible periods for most of my life. I was undiagnosed but probably had a lot of serious issues. I know for a fact I had numerous uterine fibroids. Now I'm completely healed and it's because of raw foods. I actually celebrate when my cycle arrives now because it boosts my intuition and creativity. There is no more pain.

Keep your faith!

[Revvell]

I went through that. All I can say is, give raw a chance. Eat as cleanly as you can; fresh fruits, greens, veggies... through smoozies and salads. Yes, your doctor IS looking to get you out of pain yet, it's like cutting the fire alarm and not putting out the fire.

Bring your body into balance through a REALLY good food program, movement, meditation and rest. See what happens.


Thank you all for your kind words and great suggestions. I was able to speak with Tonya today. She is such an intelligent, kind just a really sweet spirited person.

she states, like others of you have, that I haven't been raw long enough to worry about the anesthesia.

Her main concern was why I was having the surgery in the first place.

I am just so exhausted with the pain and this non-life. The doctor wants to cut the nerves from my uterus to my brain. Right now, this sounds like relief but I know that it's just "dumbing" the body down. My doctor is just trying to help me be pain free.

I know that pain signals that something is wrong but would someone, please, just tell me what that "something" is????? I've had cramps since about my 3rd or 4th period in my life and I've had them EVERY cycle since. I got my period at age 11 and I'm now 34. It used to be the when I got rid of the cramps, whether it took me 5 minutes or 5 hours once they were gone, they were gone. Now, my pain goes for days during my period and before I had my last lap it was all through the month and at the VERY WORST during my cycle.

The pain is excruciating!! I mean I'm doubled over in the fetal position, throwing up, can’t function, can’t go to work, wish I would die, debilitating pain!!

I was finally diagnosed as endo about 4 years ago after years of trying to get someone to JUST listen to me! I've heard everything from "all women have some type of period pain" to "it's in your head"!!!! When you've lived with the pain as long as I have you're just ready to finally have some relief even if it means just not feeling it.

I've had two laps and multiple assesments. . . if the pain is trying to tell me something is not right, I just would like to know what it is because I've had from almost the beginning of my period life.

Sorry for sounding so glum, I just feel like I'm at the bottom of the rope and it takes it's toll emotionally.

Thanks for listening.

[souldanzer]

Things that have helped me with severe period pain:
Always
-eliminating absolutely all fake estrogens from my food and environment
- drinking only clean water (absolutely no tap, even filtered, as the remnants of birth control pills, etc, are damaging to the body's endocine balance), glass bottled
- eliminating all soy, including fermented


Supplementing daily:
- evening primrose oil
- DHA supplement
- multivitamin, especially B and E vitamins
- hemp foods, as much and as often as you possibly can! seeds, butter, protein powder
- green juices


Don't know if your doctors have told you this - if they cut the nerves to your brain, that doesn't neccessarily mean that you won't feel ANYTHING anymore. There are clumps of brain-like nerve cells in the gut, which have receptors that will respond to certain stimulations, like pain from your reproductive organs. While your pain will probably be significantly diminished, you might still have sensations from the source of your pain after the surgery.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon,
Souldanzer:o

[klomasius]

Raw To Live, I feel for you so much!

It must be horrible what you are going through, and I can't imagine living like that. I wish you all the very best no matter what you decide to do.

I do agree with the others who have suggested trying a few more months of raw to see how it goes. ANY little improvement by then paves the way for the possibility of HEAPS of improvement or even complete healing as you progress.

I know it must be hard to take this on board when you are in so much pain, and again, I have no idea how hard it must be for you.

I have heard too many stories of 'miraculous' reversal of so many diseases from people who switch to a raw food diet and have had too many 'miraculous' benefits myself to not believe wholeheartedly that if you persist with raw for at least a while, you too will see these benefits.

One of the main areas I've heard of much improvement and healing of conditions is in the inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and endometriosis.

I have arthritis, have had since childhood. My diagnosis on a typical SAD diet would be slow degenerative deterioration until I lost the full use of my hips and knee later in life.

I suffer NO symptoms now, and in fact have an increased flexibility on raw.

If you can put off surgery for a time and you start to feel the amazing benefits of raw, it might mean you will need NO surgery, save money, stop the problem at it's root rather than cutting off the urgent messages your body is sending, experience amazing health benefits other than this and realise that our current health system is completely arse about (I have experience from MANY angles on this one!)

Please, please, I'm begging you! Just give raw a try and see how it goes. I think you may experience life changing results!

[rawstrength]

I'm going to go against the grain here and tell you to weigh both sides of the situation. The negative energy/psychological ramifications of being in so much pain could be worth it to go through with the surgery. It is not healthy to be in so much pain.

But maybe you should give raw a chance? At least long enough to go through two-three menstrual cycles. Two weeks is really too quick to heal something that has been going on for 23 years.