12/23/2025
Have you ever had surgery but then months (or even years) later, you still don't feel completely healed? This is me right now. As many of you know, I had surgery 6 months ago and I am taking steps to allow my body to feel safe again.
“Everything healed… so why don’t I feel like myself?”
Surgery is a major event for the entire body, not just the area operated on. Anesthesia, medications, tissue trauma, disrupted sleep, altered movement, and stress all affect the nervous system, hormones, digestion, circulation, and energy regulation. The body adapts to get you through the acute phase, but adaptation doesn’t always mean full recovery.
After surgery, it’s common to notice lingering fatigue, inflammation, swelling, sleep changes, digestive shifts, weight changes, depression, or increased sensitivity to stress. This doesn’t mean something went wrong. It often means the body is still operating in a protective, recovery-mode state. Healing isn’t just about the incision closing; it’s about restoring communication between systems, rebuilding energy, and helping the body feel safe enough to move out of survival mode.
If you’ve ever thought, “I healed, but I am not the same,” you’re not imagining it. With the right support, the body can continue to recover well beyond the surgical timeline.
Here are some of my naturopathic LIVNLIF tips if you "still don't feel right" since having surgery.
1. Rebuild circulation at the micro level
Post-surgery, blood and lymph flow can be reduced in subtle ways.
• alternating warm/cool showers (30–60 seconds each, end warm)
• gentle rebounding or heel raises
• red light therapy over scars or affected areas
• castor oil packs over abdomen or pelvis (2–4x/week)
These improve local circulation and tissue signaling without stress.
2. Address low-grade inflammation that lingers
Support with:
• omega-3s (2–3 g EPA/DHA daily)
• curcumin (bioavailable form)
• minimizing ultra-processed foods
• adequate protein for tissue repair
This often improves stiffness, swelling, and fatigue.
3. Support detox pathways gently (not aggressive cleanses)
Post-surgical anesthesia burden the liver and gut.
Focus on:
• hydration
• regular bowel movements (magnesium, fiber)
• cruciferous vegetables
4. Normalize adrenal glands
A very common, overlooked issue with fatigue, shakiness, poor sleep, anxiety/ “wired but tired” feeling
Interventions:
• protein with every meal
• LIVNLIF GEM-6 Fermented Mushroom Powder
• morning light exposure
• magnesium and glycine at night
5. Restore gut motility and microbiome balance
Antibiotics + anesthesia slow the gut.
Support with:
• probiotics
• digestive bitters before meals
• LIVNLIF GEM-6 Fermented Mushrooms for the gut microbiome
6. Work with the scar
Even well-healed scars can disrupt movement and nerve signaling.
Support includes:
• gentle scar massage with Vitamin E oil once fully healed
• silicone sheets or gels
• magnesium oil around (not on) scar
• movement that stretches the area gradually
This often improves pain, pulling sensations, and swelling
I'm doing these things for myself right now to have the best chance at complete recovery. DM Rebecca if you want to talk more about this. Share this post with someone that you know is still trying to recover.
Shared for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical advice.