🔪 Surgical Vitality Suggestions

How to Optimize Outcomes from Dr. Allan Mishra & Captain Tom Chaby

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Surgery produces significant stress on our physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being. Optimizing all of these pillars of vitality prior to an operation improves outcomes and reduces complications. This isn’t my opinion. This is based on emerging scientific data that is not well recognized or appreciated.

Improving the parameters we can control prior to surgery is paramount. Below are some suggestions to consider. Always check with your own surgeon prior to executing on any of these suggestions because every person and every surgery is unique. This is not an exhaustive list but rather a framework to consider.

PHYSICAL

• Walk or ride an exercise bike for 20 minutes three times a week if possible

• Focus on sleeping as well as possible prior to surgery

• Practice deep breathing exercises (Set of 5 three times per day)

  • Aim to keep your oxygen saturation at or above 96%

• Optimize your diet to reduce inflammation and bloating.

  • You may need to test this to determine which foods are best for you.

• Optimize vitamin D levels

MENTAL

• Realize you may be in moderate or significant pain after surgery. Have a plan to deal with it that involves appropriate medications and non-pharmacologic solutions such as deep breathing, music or meditation.

SOCIAL

• Prearrange to have optimal support at home for at least a week after surgery.

• Plan to have coffee or lunch with friends when you can after surgery. Knowing you have a short visit on the horizon helps.

SPIRITUAL

• Practice a meditation and or prayer routine PRIOR to surgery. Seek to optimize your spiritual vitality in any way you can. This can calm your nervous system down and improve your outcome.

• Take a short walk outside in nature and just listen to the wind or birds to calm your mind and soul the day before surgery and after surgery when you are able.

My good friend Navy SEAL Captain (RET) Tom Chaby underwent spine surgery last week. I gave the suggestions outlined above to him four weeks prior to his surgery. I spoke with him just a few hours after the surgery. He was doing amazingly well. We had a Zoom discussion about what matter most for his preparation. (See video below)

Here are some of his surgical vitality suggestions to consider:

1. Adopt a Neutral and Controlled Mindset: Captain Chaby employed a Navy SEAL-inspired approach of “neutral thinking.” He focused exclusively on factors he could influence, such as dietary choices, mental attitude, and physical preparation, rather than worrying about uncontrollable outcomes.

2. Pre-Surgical Discipline Matters: Discipline was a pivotal factor. Chaby followed specific routines designed to optimize his health prior to surgery including eliminating sugar, prioritizing sleep and doing whatever possible to reduce inflammation.

3. Compliance Reduces Complications: Compliance with preoperative instructions—like antiseptic showers, nasal antibiotics, and meticulous hygiene—proved crucial. These steps significantly reduce infection risks, underscoring that strict adherence to medical advice can dramatically improve outcomes.

Here is part of our discussion about his surgery:

Captain Chaby’s impressive immediate postoperative vitality wasn’t luck. It was the result of meticulous preparation and disciplined execution in the context of a skillfully done surgical procedure.

Vitality Explorer Analysis and Recommendations

Everyone, not just elite individuals like Navy SEALs, can enhance their surgical outcomes by committing to the simple yet powerful principles outlined in this post.

Being disciplined about improving your physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being increases your chances of having a smooth and rapid recovery from surgery.

Don’t be a Dabbler in Discipline.

• Own the outcome by being a true partner with your surgeon.

• Follow their instructions.

• Optimize the parameters in your life within your control and Dare to Be Vital even in the context of undergoing surgery.

Here is a link to a video of my own spine surgery from more than 15 years ago for anyone that may be interested: Dr. Mishra’s Lumbar Spine Surgery.

Please post your comments below and please share this post to help someone prepare for surgery today.

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