Today I’m going to share the list of my top favorite things to promote breast surgery recovery. I have personally tried all of these and found that they worked wonderfully well, and my clients have found the same, so these are tried and true.

It’s been a little while since my last post – I’ve been hard at work on a new course that I think will be an enormous game changer when you’re on a healing journey. I will be sharing it soon!

In the Hospital

Whether you are recovering from mastectomy, lumpectomy or breast reconstruction surgery, there will be incisions to heal. These are the things that help that process along the most!

If you can, have a friend bring you some homemade smoothies, soups, salads,  and/or stews (the four S’s!) made with fresh organic ingredients while you’re in the hospital mending. I recommend this because the processed food that most hospitals serve will not be of much assistance to your healing incisions.

1.  Protein
The body requires plenty of protein to heal properly and if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, that can pose a problem for you. The other issue is that I recommend breast cancer patients only have organic meat (unless they are vegetarian/vegan) and that won’t be happening in the hospital. So your best bet is to have a good quality organic protein powder that you can mix into smoothies, juices or soups. Just make sure it doesn’t have an ingredient called “soy protein isolate” in it – regular organic soy is fine for you but this particular ingredient is a proven breast cancer risk.

2.  Arnica
Arnica montana is a wonderful herb that is amazing for limiting the bruising and pain that can happen after surgery. You can take arnica in various formulations – homeopathic pills, a cream or a gel. It’s great stuff, don’t miss out on this one! There’s a particular protocol that I was recommended to follow by my naturopath, and I discuss that in this article: Your Breast Surgery Recovery – Using Arnica to Minimize Bruising and Swelling  This protocol works beautifully.

3.  Medicinal Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms are wonderful for helping to boost your immune system and helping your body heal more quickly, not to mention helping to protect you from the bugs you may encounter in the hospital. By “medicinal” I mean that they have been used for this purpose for centuries – as medicine – rather than the ones used purely for culinary purposes. Mushrooms like reishi, maitake, chaga, lion’s mane, turkey tail, cordyceps, etc are all amazing for their ability to bolster our immune system. I like two Host Defense products for this purpose – Stamets 7, a blend of 7 mushrooms, and My Community, a blend of 17 different mushrooms.

4.  Essential Oils
Essential oils promote the healing process, decrease pain and inflammation, and their antibacterial properties vastly reduce the chances of infection. They also increase oxygenation to the healing incisions, and all of these properties combined make them indispensable for healing. I used lavender and PanAway, a remarkable essential oil blend of helichrysum and wintergreen made by Young Living Essential Oils. Since your incisions will be covered, just apply the essential oils to the areas you can access – the oil will migrate where it is needed.  Just be aware – some nurses might frown on this (I did this by myself in the bathroom!).

5. Biofrequency Device
This is one thing I didn’t have available when I went through my surgery, but oh how I wish I had! This device promotes holistic healing on such a deep level – energetically sending you the frequencies your body needs to promote balance. Here’s my video with more information: What is a Biofrequency Device?

Healing at Home

6.  Sleep
Once you’re home it is essential to get as much rest as you can. Sleep is the absolute best way for your body to heal itself. Don’t feel guilty about taking naps and getting to bed a little earlier than usual – you need the extra sleep right now! If you feel restless, the biofrequency device has programs in it that will help with that, and lavender essential oil also promotes relaxation and deeper sleep.

7.  Continue All of the Above, plus Eat Well
The protein, arnica (which can be eased off gradually now you’re at home), medicinal mushrooms, essential oils and the biofrequency device will all have you feeling good and healing in record time. With regard to the essential oils, other helpful oils are frankincense and copaiba for their superior skin healing properties. Eat plenty of leafy greens, vegetables and fruit while you’re healing for the plant-based nutrients and vitamins that will encourage healing.

8.  Manage Stress
You will find it advantageous to keep your stress levels down because too much stress can slow the healing process.  Keep stress levels down by taking time out for meditation and visualization. Actively visualizing your body healing itself is incredibly powerful!

9.  Bromelain
Bromelain is an enzyme found in the stems of pineapples, and it is useful for reducing post-operative swelling. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and boosts the immune system to reduce pain, bruising, and tenderness. It is a natural supplement that works the same way as ibuprofen, the well-known over-the-counter NSAID, the only difference being that bromelain will not harm your liver.

10. Flaxseed, Freshly Ground
Just 1-2 tbsp of freshly ground flaxseed per day can help reduce your risk for cancer recurrence, fight the effects of inflammation, help your body repair itself, and is full of fiber which will help you detox and get over any post-operative constipation.

Reducing Scar Tissue Adhesions

For those who are having breast reconstruction surgery, you might find this section helpful. I had the latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction so had a sizable scar on the left side of my back just under my shoulder blade.  I had a friend massage cypress and wintergreen essential oils around the edges of the scar (while it was healing) and into the incision itself after it had healed.  Cypress increases circulation and wintergreen is a natural anti-inflammatory and decreases pain.

After about 8 weeks post-op, I had my massage therapist do some cross-fiber massage over the scar to reduce adhesions which could limit my range of movement.  I still get that done all these years later because adhesions tend to cause trouble even this far down the track. Gentle stretching of the arm above the head (yoga is wonderful) also helps quite a bit. I created a video to show others how to do the massage procedure.

The important thing post surgery is to stay positive and relaxed, and let nature run its course.  Remember, your body is adept at self-healing.  It knows how to repair itself. By following some or all of the above suggestions, you definitely give yourself the best chance for healing much more quickly and successfully.