Anesthesia

Most breast surgery is performed under general, or total anesthesia. General anesthesia is very safe, but not without some risk of complication. Most commonly, a combination of medications is used - usually an inhalational agent (anesthetic gas), a narcotic (morphine derivative) for pain control, amnestic agent (medications similar to valium), and an intravenous anesthetic agent are used. Using multiple agents that have different mechanisms of action means that lower doses of each drug can be used. Anti-nausea medications are often used as well. The anesthetic medications currently used are all relatively short-acting, which minimizes the "hangover" effect of the general anesthesia. However some patients still will take a long time to wake up, or may have significant nausea after surgery.

Some lumpectomies are performed using local anesthesia with intravenous sedation ("twilight sleep"). Some centers are starting to use regional blocks for mastectomy cases, so that the patient is awake or just lightly sedated, but numb in the area of the surgery - in some studies this has shown to decrease the amount of narcotics used after surgery which may reduce nausea. Most breast surgery is performed under general, or total anesthesia. General anesthesia is very safe, but not without some risk of complication. Most commonly, a combination of medications is used - usually an inhalational agent (anesthetic gas), a narcotic (morphine derivative) for pain control, amnestic agent (medications similar to valium), and an intravenous anesthetic agent are used. Using multiple agents that have different mechanisms of action means that lower doses of each drug can be used. Anti-nausea medications are often used as well. The anesthetic medications currently used are all relatively short-acting, which minimizes the "hangover" effect of the general anesthesia. However some patients still will take a long time to wake up, or may have significant nausea after surgery.

Some lumpectomies are performed using local anesthesia with intravenous sedation ("twilight sleep"). Some centers are starting to use regional blocks for mastectomy cases, so that the patient is awake or just lightly sedated, but numb in the area of the surgery - in some studies this has shown to decrease the amount of narcotics used after surgery which may reduce nausea.

It is an excellent idea to use Arnica both before and after surgery. I call this remedy the ‘homeopathic exception’ because it is one that works for almost every person for the same condition (this is contrary to how homeopathy generally works in that a remedy needs to be prescribed on an individual basis).

It works to reduce inflammation and speed healing which in turn helps to relieve some of the pain associated with surgery. It has a particular action on soft tissue and is well known as a remedy for bruising. Many sportsmen keep it in their kitbags for knocks and scrapes on the sports field. It is also available as a topical ointment or massage oil for sprains.

Most doctors are aware of this remedy and in my experience, regardless of their understanding of homeopathy, agree that it is very helpful.

Homeopathic remedies are prepared to an extremely dilute potency and there is no risk of an interaction with anaesthesia or other medications.

A good surgical protocol would be as follows:
Arnica 200c the day before surgery.
Arnica 200c just before surgery and just after.
Arnica 200c 3 x daily for 2 – 5 days as needed.
It is always best to consult with a homeopath before taking any remedies and of course, make your surgeon aware of any remedies you are taking.
It is an excellent idea to use Arnica both before and after surgery. I call this remedy the ‘homeopathic exception’ because it is one that works for almost every person for the same condition (this is contrary to how homeopathy generally works in that a remedy needs to be prescribed on an individual basis).

It works to reduce inflammation and speed healing which in turn helps to relieve some of the pain associated with surgery. It has a particular action on soft tissue and is well known as a remedy for bruising. Many sportsmen keep it in their kitbags for knocks and scrapes on the sports field. It is also available as a topical ointment or massage oil for sprains.

Most doctors are aware of this remedy and in my experience, regardless of their understanding of homeopathy, agree that it is very helpful.

Homeopathic remedies are prepared to an extremely dilute potency and there is no risk of an interaction with anaesthesia or other medications.

A good surgical protocol would be as follows:
Arnica 200c the day before surgery.
Arnica 200c just before surgery and just after.
Arnica 200c 3 x daily for 2 – 5 days as needed.
It is always best to consult with a homeopath before taking any remedies and of course, make your surgeon aware of any remedies you are taking.