Question

My mum, who is 76, is due to have an elective hip replacement next month. Apart from the hip problem, her health is good, although she is also on statins to lower cholesterol (her level is only slightly higher than it should be). Other than that, she takes a low-dose aspirin. What can she do to prepare for the operation and improve her chances of a good outcome? Are there supplements that would help her recovery? She is also concerned about the risks from MRSA (the hospital in question is apparently free of the superbug at present), but are there any steps she can take to reduce the risks of possible infection? She has heard that Manuka honey can be effective, but how and in what form is this supposed to be used?

The MRSA expert
Dr Malyszewicz

Up to 30 per cent of the population carries the MRSA bug harmlessly, but if you're having an operation, it's important to check you're not one of them. If your hospital won't swab you before your op, use a MRSA decontamination kit to decolonise yourself before any surgery. I've developed one called Combact (01604 588 807; www.combact.info), but there are others, including SkinSure (0800 107 1053; www.hygieia.uk.com).

The MRSA bacterium gathers in the nose, lives on ears, hands, the groin and may also be present on contaminated clothing, instruments and surfaces, so after the op don't allow anyone to come too close to your wound, including hospital staff, and make sure they wash their hands correctly. Ask family to wear masks and maybe disinfect the area around the bed. Finally, Manuka honey does work as a treatment for MRSA, but only after infection.

· Dr Christopher Malyszewicz is a consultant chemist and biologist for Chemsol Group Ltd, and an expert in MRSA infections and disinfection procedures

The nutritionist
Dr John Briffa

The body's healing mechanisms are to a degree dependent on certain nutrients, and supplementing with these may help speed recovery after surgery. Some of the most important nutrients for healing include zinc, vitamin B12 and folic acid. Their main function is to stimulate new cell formation; 30mg of zinc along with 500-1,000 mcg of vitamins B12 and folic acid should be taken each day, starting now and finishing six weeks after the operation.

As the operation will involve damage to bony tissue, add a supplement designed to support bone health and healing, such as BioCare's Osteoplex (0121 433 3727); take one capsule, three times a day from now until three to four months after the operation. Finally, some evidence suggests that Manuka honey can be effective in combating against the MRSA 'superbug'. Comvita (0808 144 0842) makes a Manuka honey-based cream, Woundcare 18+, which can be applied to the wound.

· John Briffa is a holistic doctor specialising in nutritional medicine (www.drbriffa.com)

The relaxation expert

Gloria Thomas

Going into hospital when you're older brings up questions of mortality and vulnerability, and your mother is understandably anxious. There's a saying in alternative medicine that 'energy follows thought'. Your mum needs to focus on optimistic thoughts, such as 'I am robust, the operation will be successful, I'll recover quickly', and so on. The more relaxed she is, the more likely she is to feel in control.

I recommend she tries breathing techniques to help her support these affirmations - deep breathing into the belly as she breathes in calming energy, breathing out any discomfort and anxiety. Post-operation, get her to focus on her hip, and imagine it healing 10 times faster than it might normally do. (This worked with my son, who had operations on two broken shoulders.) I also suggest your mum meets her medical team before the operation, so she feels confident. Relaxation CDs can be useful, too.

Gloria Thomas is a mind-body therapist at Third Space Medicine (www.thethirdspace.com)

· If you have a health question for our experts, email health@observer.co.uk