My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Gregg Gayre, MD
Ophthalmology: Oculoplastic
Welcome to My Doctor Online, a web site that my colleagues and I developed to make it easier for you to take care of your healthcare needs. On this site you will find answers to many of your questions about my clinical practice. Also included are several online features that will allow you to e-mail me, check your laboratory results and refill prescriptions. I hope you find its content informative and useful.
My Offices
- San Rafael Downtown Medical Offices
- Appt/Advice: 415-444-2990
Quick Links
- Eyelid Surgery
- Orbital Surgery
- Surgery to Remove An Eye
- Tearing
- Examples of supplements used Pre and Post Op
- Oculoplastic Post Operative Instructions
- Blood Thinners to avoid prior to surgery
- Wellness Coaching
- Eye Videos
- Prepare for Your Procedure - Emmi
- Laser Vision Correction
- Dry Eye Handout
- Cataract Class
- Using the Amsler Grid
- Blepharoplasty
- Blepharoptosis
- Blowout Fracture
- Brow Ptosis
- Ectropion
- Entropion
- Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
- Strabismus and Amblyopia
- Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
- Thyroid Eye Disease
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Cataract Surgery
- National Eye Institute
- Vision Essentials
General References
.
Examples of supplements used Pre and Post Op
Some examples of supplements used in pre- and post-operative supplement therapy are:
- Pineapple enzyme called Bromelain - a digestive aid used to reduce bruising
- Vitamin B Complex
- Vitamin C with Glutathione and L-Cysteine - an antioxidant that helps healing at a cellular level.
- Vitamin E - an antioxidant that keeps cell damage from free radicals to a minimum, speeding healing and healing protect the lungs
- Free-Form Amino Acids - a dietary protein that is necessary to regulatory processes in our body.
- Glutathione with Vitamin C and L-Cysteine - an antioxidant made in the liver that helps detoxify compounds that are harmful so they can be secreted through the bile ducts.
- L-cysteine with Glutathione and Vitamin C - very important in eradicating free radicals and helps form skin (works better with Vitamin E supplements added).
- Zinc - an antioxidant that helps wounds heal.
Arnica Montana
Arnica Montana is a natural herb that minimizes surgical bleeding, bruising, inflammation, muscle pain, and promotes healing. It works well both in an oral form and as a cream, but avoid putting the cream near open wounds and fresh incisions. Taken before plastic surgery, there is less bleeding and swelling afterwards, and taken after cosmetic surgery, pain and bruising are minimized. Because of this property Arnica
Usage: Start 3 days before plastic surgery. Four pills, 3 times a day, under the tongue. Let pills dissolve. Continue for two weeks after Plastic Surgery.
Nux Vomica
Also known as Poison Nut , this alleviates the side-effects of anesthesia and other drugs, helping you to feel more like yourself soon after plastic surgery. It helps with nausea and dysphasia; and helps detoxify your body from surgery. Specialty pharmacies carry the multiplex formulas.
Usage: 4 pills 3 times a day under tongue. Let pills dissolve. Continue for one week after plastic surgery.
Grape Seed Extract (Proanthocyanidins)
This herb is derived from Grape Seed and has a special affinity for skin tissue and promotes healing. It helps shorten the recovery period by reducing inflammation and accelerating the rate of repair to the skin.
Usage: Start 7 days before plastic surgery. One, 100mg capsule, 3 times a day on an empty stomach.
Bromezyme ™(2400 mcu)
A natural proteolytic enzyme derived from pineapple that has shown to reduce inflammation, consequently decreasing pain, swelling and accelerating the healing process. This nutritional supplement should be taken prior to plastic surgery.
Usage: Start 3 days before surgery. 3 tablets, 3 times a, day on an empty stomach.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin C is an antioxidant which helps your natural defenses against free radicals, which are unstable molecules that age the skin, resulting from environmental pollutants, smoking, or excess sun exposure. Vitamin C neutralizes volatile reactions caused by free radicals that damage skin. Preliminary studies suggest vitamin C supplements in non-deficient people can speed healing of various types of wounds and trauma, including surgery, minor injuries, herniated intervertebral disks and skin ulcers.
Vitamin C is also essential for your body’s production of collagen which is used in the building of your skin, bones, teeth, and every organ of your body.
Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits and juices, cantaloupe, strawberries, kiwi, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, and green peppers.
There are many forms and doses of Vitamin C available in Health Food Stores. Taking any more than about 200 milligrams per day is likely a waste of money as it is excreted into your urine.
There are also some supplements to stay away from during this time:
Aspirin, Vitamin A, Beta-carotene,"large quantities of Vitamin E ( more than 400 meq), Feverfew, Gingko biloba, Grape seed extract, Green Tea," and "St. John's Wort".
While supplementing may very well make surgery go better and recovery faster, it is not a simple process, and needs to be undertaken while in a doctor's care. Do not take supplements before, during or after surgery without discussing it with your doctor always the wisest choice.
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.