The Dr. Tyna Show
The Dr. Tyna Show
Dr. Tyna Moore
How to Prepare Your Brain for Surgery: What No One Tells You | Sandra Bargeron
1 hour 18 minutes Posted Jul 18, 2026 at 7:38 pm.
Introduction
Why anesthesia is different than most people think
Understanding the real risks of anesthesia
How anesthesia affects brain health & cognition
Why resilience matters more than age
Frailty, muscle & surgical outcomes
The neurologic stress response explained
Delirium vs. dementia after surgery
How to prepare your brain before surgery
The gap in postoperative brain care
Why surgery should be treated like athletic training
The Neurologic Stress & Recovery Index (NSRI)
Muscle, metabolism & building resilience
Why metabolic health improves recovery
Lifestyle habits that support brain health
Menopause, neurodivergence & anesthesia risks
Sleep, medications & optimizing recovery
How to advocate for yourself before surgery
Final takeaways
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1:18:26
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Show notes
271: Join my NEW community for Gen X women: ⁠https://www.skool.com/drtyna/about⁠
In this episode, I'm sitting down with anesthetist and physician assistant Sandra Bargeron to explore an often-overlooked aspect of surgery: protecting your brain. Did you know that anesthesia is a neurological stress test of your brain? We discuss how anesthesia, frailty, muscle mass, and metabolic health can all influence your recovery, and why preparing for surgery should begin long before you enter the operating room. We talk about the difference between postoperative delirium and dementia, why resilience matters more than age, and the practical strategies that can help support better surgical outcomes and long-term brain health.
Topics Discussed:
→ Preparing your brain before surgery
→ Anesthesia & cognitive health
→ Delirium, dementia & brain recovery
→ Frailty, muscle & resilience
→ Menopause & surgical outcomes
→ Lifestyle strategies for better recovery
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MEGAPHONE 
On This Episode We Cover: 
Further Listening: 
→ Muscle, Protein & Perimenopause: The Truth About Midlife Weight Gain | KION
Check Out Sandra Bargeron: 
→ Instagram 
→ Website 
→ Book
→ Neurologic Stress & Recovery Index (NSRI)
Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided in this blog/podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Tyna Moore. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.