# Surgery — Member Experiences & Open Questions This page gathers the fuller **community-sourced surgery material** that sits behind the main surgery guide. It keeps the lived experience, protocol notes, and open questions in GitBook without overloading the main page. {% hint style="warning" %} This page mixes peer-shared experience, practitioner notes discussed in the group, and research-linked protocol ideas. It is not a substitute for surgical, anaesthetic, oncology, or pharmacy advice. {% endhint %} ### Jump to * [Overview](#overview) * [Key protocol themes](#key-protocol-themes) * [Dr-McKinney pre-op](#dr-mckinney-pre-op) * [Dr-McKinney post-op](#dr-mckinney-post-op) * [Emotional prep](#emotional-prep) * [Surgical technique](#surgical-technique) * [Nutrition and pain](#nutrition-and-pain) * [Member experiences](#member-experiences) * [Key resources](#key-resources) * [Open questions](#open-questions) *** ### Overview This material was compiled from the group's dedicated **Surgery Pre & Post** thread. The core concern running through it is simple: **surgical stress, inflammation, tissue injury, and wound healing can create a short biological window that may favour metastasis or recurrence.** That is why members focused so heavily on: * reducing perioperative inflammation * preserving immune function * improving wound healing * choosing anaesthesia carefully * timing supplement pauses correctly * preparing emotionally as well as physically *** ### Key protocol themes #### Modified citrus pectin Members repeatedly shared **modified citrus pectin (MCP)** as a perioperative tool. The main pattern discussed was: * **5 g three times daily** * start at least **2 weeks before surgery** * continue for at least **1 month after surgery** Some group discussion extended use much longer. The practical rationale was reduction of cancer-cell adhesion through **galectin-3** targeting. A common issue raised was **gas and digestive discomfort**. #### Flaxseed pre-op only A recurring pre-op strategy was: * **25 to 30 g fresh ground flaxseed daily** * used for about **1 month before surgery** The strong note from the group was that this was treated as a **pre-op window strategy**, not a routine long-term post-op strategy. #### Iodine before and after surgery Members highlighted the survival difference reported in human breast-cancer data when iodine was used both before and after surgery rather than only after. The unresolved practical issue was **form**. The group repeatedly raised the question of **molecular iodine versus Lugol's**. #### Boswellia before surgery The group highlighted the window-of-opportunity breast-cancer trial using: * **BosPur 800 mg three times daily** * taken from surgical scheduling until the night before surgery Members also discussed the relevance of higher-AKBA products relative to the trial formulation. #### Propranolol plus etodolac This was one of the most concrete protocol areas because trial-style dosing schedules were shared directly. Two main schedules circulated in the group: **Trial-style 20-day window** | Drug | Dose and timing | | ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Etodolac | **800 mg twice daily** for the full 20-day period | | Propranolol | **20 mg twice daily** for 5 pre-op days, then **80 mg twice daily** on the day of surgery, then **40 mg twice daily** for week 1 post-op, then **20 mg twice daily** for week 2 | **Trial-style 6-day window** | Drug | Dose and timing | | ----------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Propranolol | **10 mg four times daily** from 3 days before surgery to 2 days after | | Etodolac | **400 mg twice daily** from 3 days before surgery to 2 days after | A separate group note also mentioned **tadalafil plus influenza vaccine** from a perioperative trial context. That remains a much more specialist discussion. #### NSAIDs and opioid avoidance Members repeatedly raised the concern that opioids may not be the ideal default for cancer-related perioperative pain. NSAIDs were discussed as potentially more favourable from a recurrence-risk angle, but always with bleeding-risk caution. One unresolved question kept resurfacing: * **ketorolac versus etodolac** #### Anaesthesia choice This was one of the strongest discussion areas. The main group message was: * ask specifically for **propofol-based TIVA** * do not assume anaesthetic choice is neutral * raise the question before the day of surgery #### Menstrual-cycle timing Premenopausal breast-cancer patients discussed trying to schedule surgery in the **progesterone-dominant second half of the cycle**. The group understood that surgeons usually ask cycle dates mainly to exclude pregnancy. Members stressed that anyone wanting cycle-aware scheduling needed to ask directly. *** ### Dr. McKinney pre-op The group repeatedly quoted and applied the pre-op material from *Naturopathic Oncology*. #### Commonly started pre-op | Item | Group summary | | ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Ground flaxseed | **25 to 30 g daily** for 1 month pre-op; stop post-op | | Green tea extract | around **2 weeks pre-op** in some protocol summaries; stop before surgery | | PectaSol-C | start before surgery and continue after | | Homeopathic surgery mix | started the day before surgery by some members | #### Wound-healing support when nutritionally depleted The group highlighted: * vitamin C * zinc citrate * vitamin A * whey protein #### Common stop list around 1 week before surgery These were repeatedly flagged because of sedation, anaesthesia, or blood-pressure concerns: * St John's wort * valerian * kava * ginseng * skullcap or baicalein * passion flower * hops * melatonin * inositol * GABA * 5-HTP * ephedra * licorice root * peony root * milletia * ginkgo * high-dose niacin or niacinamide #### Common stop list around 3 days before surgery These were repeatedly flagged because of bleeding or clotting concerns: * garlic * bromelain * vitamin K supplements * salvia * ginger * curcumin * rehmannia * ligusticum * atractylodes * carthamus * reishi * cordyceps * CoQ10 * resveratrol * green tea extract #### Practical notes from the thread * **baicalein** was specifically discussed because it appears both as a useful anti-inflammatory and on the stop list * some members were told that **COC medications** such as doxycycline, mebendazole, and metformin could continue, but only after individual review * members repeatedly emphasised giving the **full supplement list** to the anaesthetist #### Psychology protocol The mind-body message from this part of the thread was strong: * rehearse success * visualise the procedure going well * treat surgery preparation like serious performance preparation #### Infection prevention One practical note discussed was pre-op skin preparation with **chlorhexidine** when infection risk or immune compromise was a concern. *** ### Dr. McKinney post-op #### Preventing spread and limiting inflammatory fallout The post-op emphasis stayed on: * PectaSol-C * catechin-containing antioxidant support * mixed tocopherols in some protocol versions #### Immune support The group discussion mentioned: * vitamin A * vitamin C * zinc * cat's claw * reishi * selected homeopathic supports #### Wound-healing support | Item | Group summary | | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | | Zinc citrate | **30 mg twice daily** with food | | Vitamin A | about **3000 IU daily** | | Vitamin C | **1000 mg three times daily** | | Bromelain | used by some members for pain, oedema, and clot-risk logic | | Curcumin formulas | discussed as post-op anti-inflammatory supports | | Catechins | discussed for scar and adhesion logic | | Gotu kola | discussed for connective-tissue repair | #### Topical wound-care ideas from the thread * **Rosa Mosqueta / rosehip oil** once the incision is closed * **aloe vera** for scar and tissue support * **silicone gel** * **calendula** * **chickweed** * **comfrey leaf** #### Anaesthesia recovery Two recurrent mentions were: * **NAC** to help recovery after anaesthesia * homeopathic support for post-anaesthetic symptoms #### Gut and microbiome support The group also discussed: * probiotics when diarrhoea follows surgery * restoring gut resilience during recovery #### Physical activity A strong repeated message from members was: * **resume movement as early as safely possible** *** ### Emotional prep This was one of the clearest themes in the thread. Members repeatedly described emotional preparation as clinically meaningful, not optional. Common themes included: * reduce fear before surgery * reduce feelings of aloneness and helplessness * use meditation, imagery, or coaching if needed * work consciously with relief and emotional release after surgery * combine this with the practical protocol, not instead of it Some members described surprisingly low post-op pain after intense mind-body preparation. That does not prove a universal effect. It is still one of the strongest recurring lived-experience themes. *** ### Surgical technique One of the most valuable member warnings was about asking **how** the surgeon will approach the operation, not just whether the operation will happen. Questions members wished they had asked earlier included: * what incision will be used? * how long will tissue be retracted? * is a more direct incision better than a more hidden one? * what are the trade-offs between cosmetic appearance and tissue trauma? This came up especially in breast-surgery shares. *** ### Nutrition and pain #### Nutrition for healing Members asked a practical question that comes up often: * How do you support healing and protein intake without feeling you are “feeding cancer”? The thread included discussion of: * whey protein * collagen protein * lower-sugar diets * green tea * mushrooms * vitamins A, C, D, and E * selenium * zinc A separate practitioner point discussed in the thread was that a very strong whole-food diet may reduce the need for some supplementary wound-healing support. *** ### Member experiences #### Major liver and pelvic surgery A member described a long surgery involving multiple surgeons and extensive tumour removal. They used the pre-op and post-op protocol discussed in the group. The main takeaways were: * faster recovery than expected * strong healing of the incision line * particularly strong praise for **PectaSol-C**, the homeopathic surgery mix, and **Rosa Mosqueta oil** #### Radical modified mastectomy A member described intensive emotional and mind-body preparation before surgery. The reported outcome was: * no pain medication needed * very fast return to light movement * a strong sense that the preparation changed her experience #### Repeated lumpectomies A member described a more complex path involving recurrence, unclear margins, and repeated surgery. By the second lumpectomy, she had added: * propranolol * etodolac * MCP * high-dose IV vitamin C #### Post-anaesthesia grogginess A member shared severe post-op dizziness, dry mouth, blurry vision, and exhaustion. A key practical discovery was that a **scopolamine patch** was contributing to the symptoms. That became a useful reminder for other members to check for all patches and administered products after surgery. #### Biopsy site concerns A member raised the under-discussed issue of cumulative biopsy trauma. The concern was that each repeated biopsy is still a wounding event. That fits the broader surgery-risk logic discussed across the thread. {% hint style="warning" %} This information is for education only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please speak with a qualified clinician before making changes to care, medication, or supplement use. {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} © 2026 Abbey Mitchell. All rights reserved. Please share by URL rather than copying page text. {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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