Today I am sharing my own personal experience as I get ready for an upcoming sinus surgery. This is not medical advice, just a real look at how I am preparing my body and mind ahead of time. I hope walking through my own plan gives you a few ideas for building yours, whatever procedure you might be facing.

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Table of Contents

Why You Will Love This Guide

If you get my weekly newsletter, you probably already know this… (I share all the juicy details on the newsletter first…) If not, I have some news to share with you all: I have sinus surgery coming up.

Instead of just white knuckling my way through it, I decided to do what I always do. Prepare holistically, ahead of time, so my body has the best possible shot at healing well.

If you have ever had surgery, you know the appointment date itself is really only a small piece of the puzzle. What you do in the weeks leading up to it, and the weeks after, matters just as much, if not more.

So today I am walking you through exactly what I am doing to get ready, including the infused medicine I am making myself to help manage pain and inflammation with the goal of not needed to lean on opioids or other prescriptions.

A picture of Emily Kyle

TL;DR summary: My plan has two parts. First, the lifestyle stuff: cutting out alcohol, reducing sugar, meal prepping bone broth, and actually planning for rest. Second, the infused medicine: FECO capsules for pain, cannabis capsules for inflammation, CBD face serum for facial massage, and CBN oil for sleep. And no matter what you choose to use, tell your doctor about it before you go under anesthesia. Non-negotiable. Read my full plan below. 👇

Tell Your Doctor You Use Cannabis, Before Surgery

This is, hands down, the most important part of this whole post: if you use cannabis in any form, tell your doctor and your anesthesiologist before your surgery date. (This is how I told mine!)

Cannabis can interact with anesthesia1. Regular users sometimes need higher doses of certain anesthetics to get the same effect, and cannabis use can also affect heart rate and blood pressure during a procedure. Your medical team can only plan around what they actually know about.

Disclosing your cannabis use is no different than telling them about alcohol use, supplements, or any other medication you take. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. It does not matter whether you live in a legal or illegal state.

More doctors than ever are used to having this conversation. I beg you. Please, advocate for yourself, have the talk, and go into surgery with your whole care team on the same page.

Cannabis Decarboxylation by Emily Kyle

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Why I’m Saying No to Opioids

If you have your own procedure coming up and you are looking for a natural alternative to opioids, here is exactly what that looks like for me, plus the one conversation with your doctor you cannot skip.

Opioids work, I know that. But they also come with real downsides: constipation, grogginess, nausea, and a dependency risk that climbs the longer you take them.

I already use cannabis as part of my everyday wellness routine, so it made a lot of sense to build my recovery plan around medicine I know how to make and dose myself, instead of filling a prescription I would honestly rather avoid.

This is not medical advice, and I am not saying opioids are never the right call for anyone. This is simply my plan, and I am sharing it in case it helps you build yours.

My Holistic Recovery Plan, Step by Step

1. Cutting Out Alcohol

Alcohol thins the blood, dehydrates the body, and slows down healing. I stopped drinking a few weeks before my surgery date, and I am staying off it through recovery, too. Learn more about the benefits of swapping out alcohol here.

2. Reducing Sugar Intake

Sugar drives inflammation, and inflammation is exactly what I am trying to keep under control right now. I am not being perfect about it (never am), but I am cutting way back. I prefer to follow a more low-carb, keto-ish lifestyle right now. Thankfully, I have tons of sugar-free edible recipes to choose from.

3. Meal Prepping Bone Broth

Bone broth is easy on the stomach, simple to sip on the days you do not feel like eating much, and full of the collagen, protein, and minerals your body needs to repair tissue. We raise our own turkeys, so we have plenty of organic, free-range bones in the freezer. I am stocking my freezer with it now so future me does not have to think about cooking.

4. Planning for Real Rest

This is the step most of us skip. I am clearing my calendar, lining up help with my kids, and giving myself permission to actually lie down instead of pushing through. Your body cannot heal on empty, no matter how good your intentions are. While I have hopes of getting out and about as soon as possible, I haven’t committed to anything.

A picture of a cannabis concentrate made by Emily Kyle.

The Infused Medicine I’m Making to Get Me Through

This is the part I get the most questions about. As a Holistic Cannabis Practitioner, here is exactly what I am making at home right now, what each one is for, and how you can make it yourself too. Think of this as your starting guidebook if you have surgery coming up and want to explore natural alternatives to opioids.

MedicineWhat It’s ForRecipe
FECO capsulesPainHow to make FECO capsules
Cannabis capsulesInflammationHow to make cannabis capsules
CBD face serumFacial massage after sinus surgeryHow to make CBD face serum
CBN oilSleepHow to make CBN oil

Why I Am Using Each Product

  1. FECO capsules, for pain. FECO (full extract cannabis oil) is one of the most potent forms of cannabis medicine you can make at home. I turn mine into FECO capsules so I can dose consistently after surgery without having to think about it, which, let’s be honest, is exactly what you want when you are recovering.
  2. CBD capsules, for inflammation. Alongside FECO, I make a separate batch of just CBD flower capsules to help manage inflammation as I heal. Consistent, measured dosing really matters here, which is why I make my own instead of guessing with edibles. I prefer CBD flower here for the anti-inflammatory properties, and to keep the intoxication level down.
  3. CBD face serum, for facial massage. Since this is sinus surgery, my face is going to need some extra love. I use my CBD face serum for gentle facial massage to help support circulation and ease tension around the surgical site, once I am cleared to do so.
  4. CBN oil, for sleep. Good sleep is when your body does its best healing work, and it is usually the first thing to go after surgery. I am making a batch of CBN sleep oil ahead of time so it is ready and waiting for the nights I need real, restorative rest.

Make It For Yourself

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use cannabis to manage pain after surgery instead of opioids?

A lot of people use cannabis, including FECO and cannabis capsules, as part of a natural pain management plan after surgery. Always talk to your surgeon first, since your specific procedure and health history matter.

Can I use cannabis to manage pain after surgery instead of opioids?

A lot of people use cannabis, including FECO and cannabis capsules, as part of a natural pain management plan after surgery. Always talk to your surgeon first, since your specific procedure and health history matter.

Is it safe to use cannabis before anesthesia?

Cannabis can interact with anesthesia, sometimes requiring dose adjustments and affecting heart rate and blood pressure. You must disclose any cannabis use to your doctor and anesthesiologist before your procedure so they can plan accordingly.

What is FECO and how is it different from CBD oil?

FECO stands for full extract cannabis oil. It is made from the whole plant and is typically much stronger than standard CBD oil, which is why it is usually taken in small, capsule form for consistent dosing.

What is CBN oil used for?

CBN (cannabinol) is a cannabinoid known for its potential sedative effects, which is why a lot of people, myself included, use CBN oil to support sleep during recovery.

My Final Thoughts

Surgery is never something any of us look forward to, but I feel more at peace knowing I have a plan: my freezer stocked with bone broth, my infused medicine made and ready, and my calendar actually cleared for rest.

If you have your own procedure coming up and want to build a natural, opioid-free recovery plan of your own, I hope this gives you a place to start.

I will check back in once I am on the other side of it. Sending you all healing vibes. 🫶

About Emily

I’m a Registered Dietitian and Holistic Cannabis Practitioner, here to help you learn how to use the amazing benefits of the cannabis plant. My goal is to guide you in managing daily stress, finding joy again, building strong relationships, and improving your overall well-being in a natural and healthy way.

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