On Thursday 13th July I am going into hospital for a total hip replacement (THR.) As (relatively!) young I will be on an "accelerated rehabilitation programme"

Obviously good nutrition plays an important part in the healing process so I would welcome readers thoughts on this.

Preparation: I've already frozen down some of Mamta's curries for the first few days after being discharged. The general consensus seems to be to avoid most supplements/herbal remedies, anything that could interfere with the anaesthetics or blood-clotting mechanisms, before the operation. Particular culprits named are Vitamin E and Aspirin. However Vitamin C and Zinc levels should be high. I've already got my antimicrobial skin cleanser and Corsodyl Mouthwash to use!

Post-op; the gloves are off - Vitamin C and Zinc are encouraged along with Vitamin A, Bromelain and fish oils, and a diet with plenty of protein.

Will this (self-prescribed) regime really help? What would be the Ayurvedaric or Chinese take on this?

Could the weak link in the chain be the hospital food? I've put catholicism on the back burner and requested halal food in the hope this will include some curries!

From next week I shall keep you posted on my NHS culinary adventures and thoughts!

Winton

All the very best for the surgery and for a speedy rehabilitation. It looks like you have done all your homework on good nutrition.Well done:)

Cheers

June

Hi John,

Firstly, wishing you best for the op, am sure everything will be fine and you'll be bouncing around in sprightly manner in next to no time!

On the ayurvedic front, might be a few days till you hear back from mum. She's on holiday in Ladakh, I think it is, and likely to be away from internet for most of that. Just for a few days but not sure exact dates.

Hope someone else may be able to advise.

x

I hope everything goes well for you (I hope you have raised your comfy chair off the ground!!).

A good diet is a good diet, we shouldn't stray too far from one at any time. I'm a bit surprised at the bromalin, as it is an enzyme found in pineapples. As soon as it hits the stomach, it will be broken down by proteases.

The recommended vitamins and minerals suggests that people are not taking enough normally?

I don't know if you will get around to reading this before tomorrow, Winton, but good luck with the op and I hope all goes well for you.

Sid

Thank you all for your good wishes. I was due in theatre at 9 o'clock this morning but apparently the surgeon is still waiting for a particular spare part for me so I'm still 'nil by mouth' and have missed my first encounter with hospital food - cottage pie!

Perhaps I have been over zealous with my research, remembering last time I just turned up as in my instructions, only not having drunk any fluids for a few hours. Hower the general anasthetic must take some toll on the body so any help you can give it to kick start the healing process.

I did make some attempt on a low fibre and low retention diet yesterday, culminating in Mamta's spicy fried fish and rice as my "last supper" As you can now imagine I am absolutely starving!

My meal for this evening is "halal + rice" so I am looking forward to the chef's interpretation of this!

Winton

hope it goes well for you... hope the halal+rice is better than it sounds..! :-)

Steve

well, if it's meat, at least you know it will be dead!

I once saw a Chinese guy (in Cardiff) working in a halal butchers cutting the excess fat off of a joint of meat, whilst smoking a ciggy.

Hello John

It is a bit late, but my best wishes and prayers are with you for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. Hope you are back home and running around soon.

Love

Mamta

Hope John Winton is doing well in hospital following his surgery.

best wishes from us all.

Mamta

Thanks Manta,

I'm doing fine thank you -and to all your readers. I was actually only in hospital for less than 48 hours (modern medicine for you.)

I had intended to keep a hospital diary for you all but lack of technology prevented daily updates. Will however post these, although you will them all rather repetitive!

Love, Winton

How things change !.. about 20 years ago my dad went in for a hip replacement and was in for something like 6-8 weeks (and he wasn't in as long as some of the others being a lot younger) then a few years ago one of our friends went for same thing and went in Friday afternoon and was out Monday morning !

hope you are on the mend now :-)

Steve