Things to do before and after any surgical procedure

Many of my ‘surgical’ recommendations in the past have focused on orthobiolgics, peptides and supplements for improved tissue repair, would closure, and pain. We’ll touch on a few of these briefly, but the primary focus of this article today will be highlighting the importance of both pre and post op interventions to prevent surgical complications and infection predominantly.

Surgery often comes with inherent risks beyond the procedure itself, including the risk of acquiring infections in the hospital setting. Postoperative complications and sepsis are significant risks associated with surgical procedures and can and do often lead to serious consequences wheh not properly managed.

Hospitals are environments where various pathogens (particularly antibiotic resistant bacteria) often thrive, which obviously increases the risk of patients developing infections during and after surgery. Surgical procedures create openings in the body, providing potential entry points for bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause infections. Many hospital-acquired infections ARE surgical site infections, and these can and often do lead to sepsis

Other common postoperative complications include excessive bleeding, blood clots,, pneumonia, and organ dysfunction. Factors such as the type and complexity of the surgery, the patient's overall health status (which will be a big centerpoint for many of our recommendations today) and the quality of postoperative care will influence the likelihood of complications. These are things you can consider to reduce those risks.

This is not medical advice. It’s just information pertaining to the clinical and historic use of various means and methods for boosting innate healing responses and preventing infections

Ultraviolet blood irradiation

UBI was used successfully in the 1930s and 1940s for a variety of diseases, including as a method to prevent postoperative complications, infections, and sepsis. Despite its success during that time, the lack of understanding of the detailed mechanisms of action and the introduction of antibiotics led to a decline in the use of UBI from the 1950s onwards. UBI works by exposing the blood to ultraviolet light, which has a complex virucidal activity and primarily acts on the immune system response. It has effects on various components of the immune system like lymphocytes, macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells.

The use of UBI against infections such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and influenza was prominent during its peak. It has been considered as an ‘alternative’ approach to treating infections, as an immune-modulating therapy, and as a method for normalizing blood parameters. Although the use of UBI declined with the advent of antibiotics, its potential benefits in treating infections and boosting the immune system have brought lots of attention back to it’s well documented therapeutic benefits, especially with the emergence of novel viral infections and antibiotic resistant bacteria. UBI does not pose any risks and side effects are very rare.

How do you do it?

UBI is performed in a clinic (typically by a functional or intergrative physician will administer the treatment) and often combined with things like ozone therapy. There are many clinics in the states and around the world that offer UBI, so you’ll need to search in your area for practioners that offer the treatment. It’s typically best to book one treatment 3-7 days prior to surgery, and another treatment immediately after surgery. UBI will also boost the immune system to aid in tissue repair. The addition of ozone to UBI is often recommended by providers, and this can also be a useful compliment to its immune boosting properties.

Thymalin

Thymalin is a synthetic polypeptide that is derived from the thymus gland. Its easily one of my favorite peptides, and I’ll often run it 2-3 times a year for general health purposes. It’s also one of my top pre and post surgical recommendations, and one which there is a substantial body of Russian literature on specifically

The thymus gland plays a crucial role in the development and regulation of the immune system. Thymalin is believed to have immunomodulatory properties, meaning it can help regulate and enhance immune responses in the body. By modulating the immune system, thymalin may improve the body's ability to defend against infections and reduce inflammation, making it a potentially valuable tool in preventing postoperative complications, including infections.

The research from Russia suggesting that thymalin may be effective in preventing infection and inflammatory complications following surgery highlights some fairly profound results. Infections, alongside blood clots, are among the most significant complications of surgery, with postoperative infections especially after orthopedic surgeries posing a considerable risk to patients. Even if they’re not severe, they just complicate the tissue repair process further

How is it used?

Thymalin is done as a subcutaneous injection, mixed with bacteriostatic water. It’s done for 10 days at 10mg (one full vial daily). Ideally done a full week prior to surgery. Meaning your last dose should be somewhere around 7 days before. Thymalin can also be used post surgery following the development of surgical complications and infections. Thymalin from cosmic nootropics is my recommended source, and it ships directly from a Russian pharmacy.

https://cosmicnootropic.com/products/thymalin-thymus-extract/

GHK and thymosin- beta-4 for scarring

Internal scarring and adhesions are another big issue following surgery due to the potential complications it can cause. Scar tissue formation, whether internal or external, is a natural part of the body's healing process after surgery, and some is necessary (this is why we don’t want to entirely nuke scar tissue formation with things like systemic enzymes immediately after. Save these for a month or two down the line). However, when excessive scar tissue develops internally (aka adhesions), it can lead to various problems and complications, especially organ dysfunction and loss of ROM. For example, adhesions in the abdominal cavity can cause bowel obstructions, which may require further surgical intervention. Scar tissue can also interfere with nerve conductivity, and also reduces range of motion in our joints. It also limits healthy ‘gliding’ of fascia and other tissues.

TB4 and GHK are two peptides that can dramatically reduce scar tissue formation by promoting wound healing. However, unlike more aggressive supplements and or methods to reduce scar tissue formation. GHK and TB4 act as signaling molecules that helps regulate cellular functions in a balanced way. It can increase collagen production when needed, such as during wound healing, but also has mechanisms to prevent excessive collagen deposition that could lead too much scarring. These peptides also upgrade authentic healing, meaning that the body will not need to lay down excessive scar tissue to compensate for a poor tissue healing response.

TB4 and GHK both stimulate the activation and migration of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix. Proper regulation of fibroblast activity is essential for preventing the formation of excessive scar tissue.

GHK in particular has strong, well documented anti-fibrotic properties, meaning it can help reduce the excessive deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix components that contribute to scar formation.

How are they used?

Peptides are best used both prophylacticly before an operarion or injury, and continued 1-2 months following surgery. GHK and TB4 and be started 2 weeks prior to surgery in order to reduce the risk of post operative complications, and then administered for another 1-2 months to promote proper healing and would closure. GHK is typically dosed around 5mg daily, and thymosin beta 4 at 2-3mg, 2-4x a week. Frequency of dosing can be increased right before and after surgery and then reduced

https://www.limitlesslifenootropics.com/product/ghk-basic-imported/

https://www.limitlesslifenootropics.com/product/tb-500-thymosin-beta-4-fragment-1-4-10mg/

Glutathione IV

Glutathione IV therapy before surgery can be beneficial in preparing the body for the stress of an operation, aiding in the recovery process and the detoxification of drugs like anesthesia . I’m usually not a fan of exogenous glutathione, but this is one area where it really shines! Glutathione can also help reduce the effects of stress on the body before and after surgery. Glutathione is our ‘master’ antioxidant that plays an important role in protecting cells from damage and supporting the health of the innate and adaptive immune system.

A combination of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals like Vitamin C, zinc, and B-complex vitamins is often used in IV therapy for pre and post-surgery preparations along with glutathione, and these can also be helpful. These can be used a few days prior to operation and again following surgery.

Hyperbaric oxygen

HBOT can increase oxygen delivery to tissues, which promotes wound healing by supporting cell growth and fighting infection.

Pre-surgery HBOT may help prepare the body for operation and can potentially aid in faster wound healing post op as well. The increased oxygen levels in the bloodstream during HBOT have antimicrobial properties (this has been well studied as a primary treatment for some flesh eating bacteria!) that can help reduce the risk of infections, both before and after surgery. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with compromised immune systems or those undergoing high risk surgeries.

One of the primary ways through which hyperbaric treatments work is also by boosting the bodies natural production of stem cells. Because these benefits can take some type to accumulate with HBOT, it may necessary to start 10-20 sessions prior to surgery (to accumulate the systemic increases in stem cell production before the operation), and another 10-20 sessions after surgery to further augment the healing process.

HBOT is offered as many clinics around the country. Those that can’t afford to do large HBOT session packages could still likely get some benefit out of 2-3 sessions before and after surgery as well.

Vilon and vesugen (blood vessel bio-regulators

Vilon (thymic peptide) and vesugen are two bio-regulator peptides that have been studied for their positive role in modulating various hematological properties (particularly clotting) and repairing damage to micro-vessels and arteries.

A study investigating the effect of the peptide Vilon on the content of transforming growth factor-beta and the permeability of microvessels during experimental chronic renal failure showed that the subcutaneous injection of Vilon significantly decreased the serum concentration of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and the permeability of mesenteric microvessels after the onset of chronic renal failure. Vilon and vesugen may play a role in reducing the permeability of microvessels, which can have implications for conditions involving vascular permeability or microvessel dysfunction. During COVID, violin and vesugen both proved to be promising treatments for preventing spike induced micro-clots. As mentioned, clotting is often a complication of surgical procedures as well

How are they used?

Bio-regulars are often administered as a subQ injection at 2-5mg for 20 days. They are best used 2-3 weeks prior to surgical interventions.

https://canlabintl.com

Specialized pro resolving mediators

Pro resolving mediators are lipid-derived molecules that actively resolve inflammation and promote tissue repair after an injury or surgery. PR mediators are involved in the resolution phase of inflammation, which is essential for returning tissues to homeostasis

The proper resolution of inflammation is crucial for preventing post-surgical complications, such as infections, delayed wound healing, excessive scarring etc. Pro-resolving mediators can help to minimize the risk of those complications by supporting a well-coordinated and effective resolution of the inflammatory cascade.

How are they taken?

Pro-resolving mediators are best used following procedures, at relatively high mega-doses of 6-8 capsules for 15-20 days. Lower doses of 2-4 capsules can be maintain thereafter to aid in the healing and recovery process

Cold red laser blood irradiation

Research articles and studies have shown that Intravenous laser lood irradiation (a similar treatment to UBI that uses red cold lasers instead of UV light) using red light at specific wavelengths can be effective in improving blood parameters and treating various conditions like blood coagulation. The therapy involves exposing the blood to red laser light to enhance microcirculation, reduce infarction, improve rheologic properties of the blood, and impact the hematologic and immunologic systems positively. Some studies have shown improved post operative healing times and a reduce severity of complications.

Some key points from the literature show the following:

‘The use of ILBI with red laser light (630-640 nm) has demonstrated high efficacy in treating vascular, cardiac, and other systemic diseases by influencing the parameters of blood cells, plasma, coagulation process, and the structural components of the vascular wall’

‘ILBI at specific wavelengths can improve microcirculation, change blood viscosity, and affect vascular endothelium, leading to beneficial effects on the immune system, hormones, and exchange processes in the body. Studies have shown that ILBI may help reduce the incidence of vascular diseases, improve the function of various body systems, and potentially prolong lifespan by indirectly affecting overall health’

How is it performed?

In some clinics, the blood will be exposed directly to a red laser intravenously. This is a less common and hard to find treatment, and you can get virtually the same thing out of using a red light therapy device on your wrist for 10-15min in order to ‘irridate’ your entire blood supply directly.