#211: Beyond the Scalpel: How Two Surgeons Are Fighting Diabetes Before Surgery - Dr. Lily Johnston

In this compelling discussion, vascular surgeon Dr. Lily Johnston joins Dr. Philip Ovadia to share her journey from traditional surgical practice to metabolic health advocacy. After years of amputating limbs for diabetic patients who received poor nutritional guidance, Dr. Johnston couldn't unsee the devastating consequences of our healthcare system's approach to metabolic disease. She explains how surgeons fix anatomical problems without addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction that causes blood vessel disease throughout the body. Dr. Johnston discusses how therapeutic carbohydrate reduction, hormone optimization, sleep quality, and stress management create better outcomes than surgery alone. She shares personal insights about her own health transformation through low-carb nutrition and her decision to create a practice balancing surgery with preventive care. The conversation reveals how traditional heart and vascular surgeries are temporary fixes that don't address root causes, leaving patients vulnerable to recurring problems. This interview bridges the gap between conventional medicine and functional approaches to metabolic health, offering hope for those looking to avoid major surgical interventions through targeted lifestyle modifications. BIG IDEA Surgeons like Dr. Johnston and Dr. Ovadia have recognized that vascular and cardiac surgeries are temporary fixes—like placing buckets under a leaky roof rather than repairing the roof itself—and are now focusing on metabolic health interventions that address the root causes of disease. Lily Johnston MD contact info Websites: www.vascularhealthinstitute.org nexushealthspan.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ljohnstonmd Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, you must include your contact information.) Dr. Ovadia cannot respond here. To contact his team, please send an email to team@ifixhearts.com WEBSITE: Stay Off My Kitchen Table Like what you hear? Head over to IFixHearts.com/book to grab a copy of my book, Stay Off My Operating Table.  Ready to go deeper? Talk to someone from my team at IFixHearts.com/talk. Ready to take control of your health?  Grab Dr. Ovadia’s brand new book Stay Off My Kitchen Table now!  This isn’t just another diet book; it reveals why it’s not just what you eat, but what your body actually absorbs that determines your health. If you’re struggling with low energy, stubborn weight, or feeling like “healthy eating” isn’t working… this book shows you exactly how to fix it. Learn how to reset your gut Eliminate hidden foods sabotaging your progress Unlock real energy, metabolism, and longevity Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take action today. Get your copy of Stay Off My Kitchen Table now. Learn More: Take Dr. Ovadia's metabolic health quiz: iFixHearts  Dr. Ovadia's website: Ovadia Heart Health Theme Song : Rage Against Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey (c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.