Someone asked me if I was a vegan before I had my quadruple bypass surgery. The answer is a definite no. I cant even claim to be a vegan now, as I sometimes fall victim to emotional eating and resort to old bad habits. But, I would like to share some of my comments to explain why I view the surgery as a major step backwards for me, why when I learned more about the plant-based diet, I felt cheated by the mainstream medical community and what motivated me to create the Facebook health group, Let Food Be Thy Medicine, after having the aha! moment upon viewing Mike Andersons Eating documentary. Here are my comments about what happened when I opted for the heart surgery (keyword: opted): Right phrenic nerve was severed during heart surgery, so diaphragm blocks right lung from expanding. One bypass failed, so never replaced the still working artery (as none were 100% clogged), circulation to feet were immediately lessened (thanks, apparently to removal of veins there to be used as my artery replacements), long ugly scars will remain forever, statistically lifespan is not increased by bypass but potentially shortened because the bypasses can fail over time, autoimmune system has been weakened due to overload of steroids administered after body began to reject the surgery (Dresslers Syndrome). The Dresslers Syndrome subjected me to months of extreme bouts of fever (reaching 105°F at times) and excessive coughing (sometimes making speech most difficult). So, in short, suffered much with short-term complications plus beset with long-term complications as well, while studies show that such surgeries do not usually extend lifespan. Only diet changes do, which makes bypass surgery an unnecessary traumatic event for the body with no upside (except some short-term Band-Aid effect for some). It is really just a cash-cow for the hospital and staff, but a procedure with many more downsides than upsides. I asked the hospital cardiologist if surgery was my only option. I was, admittedly scared. He said another option would be going vegan. I knew nothing about a vegan diet. This discussion was on a Friday. He wanted to schedule surgery on Wednesday. I asked What is a vegan diet? Carrots and celery for every meal for the rest of my life? His answer was Yes, pretty much. I was floored and said Thats ridiculous. I couldnt live that way. May as well schedule me. He nodded and said I understand. Back then, the term vegan diet = rabbit food. I knew zilch and relied on the heart and health expert. Also, when I lie flat, a ridge appears along my belly. A Penn doctor diagnosed me with a likely hernia. Told me to see a surgeon. I went to the surgeon, paid my $25 co-pay and in 2 minutes, with no exam, he told me that my doc was simply viewing the after-effects of torn cartilage from the heart surgeon cutting me open. My dream of ever having six pack abs were over. No hernia. Wasted visit. Also, two months after surgery, I was hospitalized for my one and only kidney stone. Likely cause? Dehydration from the Dressler Syndromes 105°F fevers. Hospital kept me for a week and did nothing. Released me five days later with kidney stone still intact. I peed it out 2 days later at home. Many people argue with me, saying I am practicing medicine without a license. Many say it is all genetics, not diet. Many say that I lack gratitude for the doctors saving my life because surely theyd never suggest unnecessary surgery, yadda, yadda. The doctors said I had two choices with the kidney stone. Surgery or just endure until I peed it out. They kept me from Monday to Friday, seemingly forgetting I was there. On Friday a Nazareth Hospital doc asked Why are you still here? I answered because no one said I could leave. What a joke! P.S. A Holy Redeemer Hospital dietitian warned me to limit my carbohydrates to keep my diabetes under control. A Nazareth Hospital dietitian warned me to limit my protein to keep kidney stones from happening. When I asked what was left after limiting protein and carb intake, the Nazareth dietitian looked like a deer in headlights, got very flustered, and said I dont know what else to tell you. With that, she tossed me some written materials that repeated her statement. Neither the Holy Reemer dietitian nor the Nazareth dietitian distinguished plant protein from animal protein. In fact, no doctor, nurse or dietitian in my decades of seeking help, ever did. Not until I watched the Eating dvd and learned what my local medical experts were not telling me.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:31:03 +0000