Be Well

A friend was told they needed major surgery recently. They are not in great shape though,and their specialiist said, ‘You need to be in better health before surgery for the best results’. They sent my friend away with a note to ‘get healthier.’ Not a huge amount of direction, I’m sure you’ll agree! On the other hand, my brother had bariatric surgery a few years ago and the 3 months prep couldn’t have been more detailed and specific to get in shape for his surgery. For many people needing surgery the focus is often on the procedure itself and the immediate recovery period. It got me thinking about how we all know about the essential need for rehabilitation after surgery, accidents and injuries but how little we know about the immense value of prehabilitation. You wouldn’t run a marathon without training and when you think about it, no matter how large or small the intervention whether at the GP or a hospital or the Dentist, any kind of surgery is physically and psychologically stressful. What if there was a way to improve your surgical outcome and bounce back faster? Enter prehabilitation, a proactive approach to optimizing your health before surgery. So here’s my deep dive into prehabilitation for you and / or your family and friends this week! What is prehabilitation? Prehabilitation, or prehab for short, is a personalized program designed to enhance your physical fitness and overall wellbeing before undergoing surgery. It typically involves a combination of aerobic exercise, strength training, and functional exercises to improve your cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and balance; a nutritional plan to help your body heal faster and build resilience; and, support to address anxiety and stress to improve your coping mechanisms and recovery. The data speaks for itself. Research has shown numerous benefits associated with prehabilitation: ● Reduced complications A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that prehabilitation programs led to a 23% decrease in postoperative complications for patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. ● Shorter hospital stays A 2017 review published in JAMA Surgery found that prehabilitation programs could reduce hospital stays by an average of 2.3 days. ● Faster recovery A 2022 study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders demonstrated that prehabilitation programs helped patients regain functional independence faster after total knee replacement surgery. ● Improved quality of life Studies have shown that prehabilitation can lead tobetter pain management, reduced fatigue, and improved overall quality of life following surgery. Prehab at Be Well I had a chat with Pat Lynch, our Senior Physiotherapist, about this recently and he told me overall recovery is 30% faster with prehab than without. That’s pretty incredible! Fortunately, we provide both prehab and rehab programs at Be Well and for anyone, not only Members. Along with Pat, Dr Kate O’Brien and Jane Mitchell, our dietician and our PTs, we create personalized plans to optimize your health and empower you for a faster and smoother recovery journey. See you soon at Be Well! See you again at Be Well soon! Navigate to more articles! PrevPreviousShifting Focus – Health Care vs Sick Care NextWomen are not small menNext Be Well is the first-of-its- kind urban health, wellness and lifestyle club in Melbourne, Australia.  Informed by the science of longevity, Be Well nurtures the relationship you have with yourself and others, to optimise your lifestyle, and live your longest, best life.

In the realm of wellness, there’s a profound distinction between health care and sick care. Health care is proactive, centred around fostering wellbeing and preventing illness. Sick care is reactive, addressing sickness and disease after they’ve manifested. As someone whose family has experienced open heart surgery, appendix removals, many births, gall bladder removals, dementia, and on, it goes without saying that Western Medicine is extraordinary and often seemingly miraculous.  The medical services we are privileged to enjoy in Melbourne, backed by Medicare, are world class. I’m forever grateful to our primary and allied health professionals for their extraordinary skills and dedication. That said, and many members of Melbourne’s medical system agree, we have yet to get the balance right between health care and sick care. For a fascinating read about lifestyle, DNA and longevity, go here Optimal health isn’t merely the absence of disease. It’s the presence of vitality and resilience. It involves cultivating habits that support the body’s natural healing mechanisms, bolstering immunity against illness, extending our healthspan (years of good health) and our longevity (years of life). Health care is holistic, encompassing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. It prioritizes preventive measures such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management, under the rubric of LifeStyle Medicine. Which is why we say at Be Well, ‘your lifestyle is your medicine’.   Sick care is necessary after our health has already been compromised, with its familiar routines of diagnoses and treatment. While essential in managing acute conditions and providing critical care, sick care often falls short in addressing underlying factors contributing to illness. In that context, I’m thrilled to invite you to join Dr Nguyen, BMedSci (Hons), MBBS (Hons), FRACGP, MHP, GCHPE, GAICD in our next Be Well Conversation, on Thursday 14 March. Dr Nguyen was both the Victorian and National GP of the Year in 2021. Among his many appointments, Dr Nguyen is the current President of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine. Medical and cultural education is his number one passion as it allows him to make a greater impact on people’s lives through teaching and learning.He has worked extensively as a GP and Medical and Cultural Educator in urban, rural and remote Aboriginal community health service throughout the Northern Territory and Victoria. I hope you will join me for a fascinating conversation with Dr Nguyen, and a deep dive into health care and Lifestyle Medicine with a world-class expert. Booking details are below. See you again at Be Well soon! Navigate to more articles! PrevPreviousLove Potion or Poison? The Dance of Love and Health NextYou know about Rehab but what about Prehab?Next Be Well is the first-of-its- kind urban health, wellness and lifestyle club in Melbourne, Australia.  Informed by the science of longevity, Be Well nurtures the relationship you have with yourself and others, to optimise your lifestyle, and live your longest, best life.

This week’s I thought I would share what I’ve learned about fascinating world of love and its impact on our health. Is it a magic potion granting eternal life, or a toxic brew leading to heartbreak and hospital bills? With Valentine’s Day just behind us, this is a good time to separate the scientific fact from the mushy Hallmark card fiction. “Love is a biological necessity—it’s as needed for our well-being as exercise, water, and food,” said neuroscientist Stephanie Cacioppo, PhD, author of Wired for Love: A Neuroscientist’s Journey Through Romance, Loss, and the Essence of Human Connection (Macmillan, 2022). With that in mind, this is what i’ve learned recently about love and health.   LOVE WINS Lifespan Lifeline   Turns out, love might just be the fountain of youth you’ve been searching for. Studies show people who are married (and those in strong social bonds) tend to live longer, with a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and even some cancers. Stress Slayer   We like touch, both giving and receiving. Love triggers the release of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that lowers stress hormones and blood pressure, leaving you feeling calm and collected. Talk about natural Xanax! Pain Reliever   Ever stub your toe while holding hands? Turns out, love can actually act as a pain reliever. Research suggests feeling loved activates brain regions associated with pain reduction. Try a warm hug or deep embrace, rather than Panadol. After all, this is what we do with young children! Immunity Booster   Studies show strong social connections can boost our immune system, making us less susceptible to illnesses. The opposite also applied: loniliness can make us a lot more prone to sickness. LOVE HURTS   Let’s be real, breakups suck. And not just emotionally. Studies show heartbreak can actually trigger physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and even changes in brain activity. A broken heart can literally hurt. Stress Monster   While love can reduce stress, unhealthy relationships can have the opposite effect. Constant arguments, jealousy, and emotional abuse can trigger chronic stress, leading to a host of health problems, from headaches to insomnia. Loneliness Blues   Loneliness has been linked to increased inflammation, weakened immune systems, and even higher mortality rates. So if you’re feeling alone, reach out to friends, family, or actively set out to develop new friendships at places such as Be Well. Connecting with others is key. The Verdict   So, is love good for your health? The answer, like most things in life, is complicated. Healthy, loving relationships are a treasure trove of physical and mental health benefits. But toxic, stressful relationships take a toll on our well-being. The key is to cultivate supportive, nurturing bonds that make us feel good, inside and out. Love is a complex dance that impacts our entire being. Choose your partners wisely, nurture your connections, and remember, self-love is just as important as romantic love. Go forth and spread the love (and the science)! See you soon at Be Well. Navigate to more articles! NextShifting Focus – Health Care vs Sick CareNext Be Well is the first-of-its- kind urban health, wellness and lifestyle club in Melbourne, Australia.  Informed by the science of longevity, Be Well nurtures the relationship you have with yourself and others, to optimise your lifestyle, and live your longest, best life.