Preparing for & Healing After Surgeries & Scans

There’s more you can do.

A scan is not a neutral event for the body. Neither is anesthesia or surgery. These can be necessary and important tools in cancer care, but needing them doesn’t mean we have to ignore what the body may need around them.

That’s where preparation and recovery become part of the conversation.

In this episode, I’m sharing how I think about supporting the body before, during, and after scans and surgeries. You’ll learn the key differences between CT scans and MRIs, what contrast can add to the equation, and practical considerations around hydration, drainage, and recovery after imaging.

We’ll also look at preparing for surgery and supporting healing afterward, including some of the foundational areas I consider with families and why those recommendations should always be individualized to the person, their treatment, and the procedure.

But supporting the body isn’t the only piece. Repeated scans can carry an emotional weight of their own, especially when your family begins living from one surveillance appointment to the next. We’ll talk about that stress, the questions you can ask about monitoring, and how to have more informed conversations with your medical team.

The goal isn’t to fear scans or surgeries, delay something that’s needed, or choose integrative care over conventional medicine.

 

In This Episode 

01:38  What you can do to support the body around scans and surgery

03:40  Understanding CT scans, MRIs, radiation, and contrast

06:46  Supporting the body before, during, and after a scan

14:32  The physical and emotional cost of repeated cancer surveillance

15:20  Questions to ask about scan frequency and monitoring options

18:16  Blood-based surveillance tools and their role alongside imaging

19:42  Preparing the body for surgery and supporting recovery

22:40  Why scan and surgery support needs to be individualized

 

Key Takeaways

• Scans and surgeries may be medically necessary, but the body can still be thoughtfully supported before, during, and after them.
• CT scans and MRIs affect the body differently, so understanding radiation, contrast, and why a particular scan is being recommended can help families ask better questions.
• Support around scans can be approached in three stages: before the scan, the day of the scan, and the recovery period afterward.
• Hydration, antioxidant support, lymphatic drainage, nutrition, and detoxification are some of the areas Season considers when supporting the body around imaging.
• Scan protocols should be individualized based on factors such as age, weight, treatment, genetics, and what else the body is managing.
• Repeated cancer surveillance can affect more than the physical body. Living from scan to scan can become a significant source of stress for the entire family.
• Families can ask whether different monitoring approaches may be appropriate while continuing to follow medically necessary imaging recommendations.
• Blood-based surveillance tools such as Datar and Signatera may provide additional information between scans, but Season emphasizes that they are not meant to replace imaging.
• Preparing for and recovering from surgery includes supporting nutrition, inflammation, hydration, immune function, movement, and the body’s ability to process anesthesia.
• There is no universal pre- or post-surgery protocol. Support should be individualized and coordinated with the appropriate care team.

 

“Needing something and being free of cost to the body are two different things.” — Season Johnson

 

Resources Mentioned

Recommended Tools & Resources

 

Pre- & Post-Surgery Immune Essential Oil Blend

Season uses a combination of Frankincense, Lemon, On Guard, Oregano, and Tea Tree essential oils as part of her integrative approach to supporting immune health before and after surgery. Find Season’s instructions for preparing and using the blend below.

View Season’s Essential Oil Immune Support Protocol

Find the essential oils Season uses in this blend through her doTERRA shop.

 

Shop Season’s Recommended Essential Oils:

https://referral.doterra.me/706694
Save 25% off doTERRA products for one year.

 

Hospital Essentials Checklist

A practical guide for families preparing for inpatient hospital stays, including recommended foods, comfort items, and simple ways to create a more healing environment.

https://yourthriveformula.com/hospital-essentials

 

Fullscript (Practitioner-Grade Supplements)

If you’re looking for high-quality, practitioner-grade supplements to support your health, Season has created a hand-curated Fullscript dispensary with the exact products she trusts and uses in practice.

You’ll also receive 15% off your first order plus 5% off for life as a podcast listener.

https://bit.ly/seasonsfullscript

 

Community & Support

Join Thrive Through Cancer Community: https://biodynamicwellness.com/thrive-through-cancer

Thrive Beyond Cancer Program: https://biodynamicwellness.com/thrive-beyond-cancer

Learn More About Biodynamic Wellness: https://biodynamicwellness.com

 

Connect with Season

• Website: seasonjohnson.com
• Follow along on Instagram: @seasonjohnson
• Follow Season on Facebook: Season Johnson