uncover your legs - learning about varicose vein treatmentsuncover your legs - learning about varicose vein treatments

When it comes to medical care, your surgeon has probably told you what you can do to prepare for your surgery to make sure your body is ready for the operation. But there are a few things that you might not have considered that will help you prepare.

1. Avoid Natural Blood Thinners

Your surgeon probably told you to stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or any other medication that may increase blood flow, which is not something you want during surgery. The following are a few natural blood-thinners that you should also avoid during this time:

• Garlic
• Ginger
• Strawberries and other berries
• Mint and other mint family members
• Dill
• Spicy foods
• Alcohol
• Cider or vinegars
• Fish
• Ginkgo biloba

These foods contain vitamins and ingredients like salicylates that will help the flow of blood. This is a healthy phenomenon that should protect you from clogged arteries and other physical issues. But this is not an effect that you want to activate before surgery.

2. Stay Away From These Medications

Just as a precaution, the following are some medications you need to stay away from; they have similar effects to the natural blood thinners above.

• Warfarin
• Enoxaparin
• Clopidogrel
• Ticlopidine​
• Dipyridamole
• Vitamin E
• Some anti-depressants
• Some weight-loss medications (ask your doctor about your specific medications)

You can talk to your doctor about some of the aforementioned medications, as he or she will have more specific recommendations for you and your surgery preparation.

3. Empty Out Your Bowels

You should try to limit your intake of certain foods that may cause constipation or diarrhea. Under sedation, your body may release what it is in the colon. This can get messy for both you and your surgeon.

A few weeks before your surgery, start limiting your intake of high-fiber foods, like bran, pastas, or bread to name a few. And try to incorporate lighter foods, like soups.

Consider using a bentonite clay solution before surgery as well, as it can help remove some of the waste that may be stuck in your stomach or digestive track. Follow the steps below to use bentonite clay:

1. Mix 1/2 a teaspoon of edible bentonite clay with 8 ounces of water.
2. Let the clay dissolve, and drink it once a day. You can start doing this a few weeks before surgery.

Talk to your doctor to make sure that he or she feels that you have taken enough precautions to make sure your surgery goes well.