At some point, you or someone you know have to undergo surgery to address a medical concern. In the United States, an estimated 50 million people will undergo surgery.
Although surgeries happen all the time and medicine has advanced significantly over the years, there is still fear associated with the mere mention of the word. Many children and adults experience anxiety before and after a procedure. If you are set to undergo surgery, here are some ways you can prepare yourself mentally:
Learn About the Procedure
People tend to fear what they do not know. One thing that you should do, and you are probably already doing, as soon as your doctor tells you that you need to undergo surgery is to learn as much as you can about the procedure. You may feel more confident knowing what will and may happen.
Learning about what Adson Bipolar Forceps are, for example, and how using them will help you recover from your illness may give you the assurance that you need that nothing will go wrong. After all, you are in expert hands.
Be careful not to read nor watch unofficial blogs. Always get your information from reliable sources. Many hospitals even publish videos of other patients undergoing the same procedures for your consumption. Better yet, make a list of questions and ask your doctor. Once you armed with relevant knowledge about the surgery, you will feel less anxious.
Prepare Your Body
While preparing your mind, do not forget your body. You should be at your healthiest when they wheel you into the operating room. That means you should continue eating balanced diet months, weeks, and days before your surgery. If your condition permits, exercise regularly, too. Consider doing yoga or low-impact exercises.
Most importantly, sleep. Adults need seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Sleep plays a role in keeping you healthy, improving your immune system which fights off infections. Moreover, sleep deprivation may exacerbate your anxiety and vice versa. Try to get enough sleep every night.
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
Likely, before surgery, your doctor will give you instructions on how to prep. That might mean you need to stop smoking a month before the procedure or you need to stop taking a certain medication a few days prior.
Practice Meditation and Other Mindfulness Technique
Meditation has been proven to help people manage their anxiety. For a few minutes every day, you will sit down in a quiet space and empty your mind completely of all the things that worry you. There are several websites and apps that will teach you how to effectively meditate. You can choose to listen to the sounds of nature or keep repeating a mantra. You should also look into other relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises
Surround Yourself with the People You Love
You are going through something scary. Do not isolate yourself. Instead, spend more time with the people you love. Your family and your friends — your support system — are always ready to cheer you up when you are down and listen to you when you need to talk.
Knowing that you need to undergo surgery is scary, but you should realize that it is something that will help make you feel better in the future. Do not be afraid and trust your doctor.
