It’s normal to get a bit anxious as you get closer to your scheduled surgery date, but nobody wants to be nervous or stressed once the day of surgery arrives. While it’s true that some aspects of your surgical procedure and recovery will be out of your control, there are a number of things you can do to prepare your mind and your body for the upcoming operation, and that can help alleviate pre-op anxiety. In today’s blog, we share some tips for putting your mind at ease before your surgical procedure.
How To Relax Before Surgery
We’ve found that the most prepared patients are the least stressed out prior to their operation. So what can you do to prepare for your operation to help ease any pre-op nerves that have developed? Here’s what we recommend:
- Pre-Op PT– You don’t need to wait until your procedure is complete to begin working towards a healthier version of yourself with the help of physical therapy. You can start to establish range of motion or strength in an area prior to your operation. The healthier you are heading into an operation, the better the chance you’ll have to make a strong recovery after your surgery, so don’t just sit around waiting for your surgery day to arrive. Dive into some pre-hab exercises and know that you are taking steps to increase the likelihood of a successful surgery.
- Ask Questions And Learn About The Procedure – Oftentimes we fear the unknown, and we can do some self-catastrophizing when we assume things that are untrue about your upcoming procedure. Ask questions to your surgeon or your care team, or see if they have any informational packets that can explain more about the procedure and your recovery timeline. The more you know about what lies ahead, the easier it will be to be prepared for what’s to come, and that can put your mind at ease before surgery.
- Reframe Your Thoughts– Really try to reframe how you think about your upcoming surgery and recovery. Instead of thinking about what could possibly go wrong with the procedure, focus on everything you stand to gain assuming everything goes as expected. You should regain function, experience fewer uncomfortable symptoms and significantly improve your quality of life. Focus on these outcomes, because they are much more likely than an unexpected complication. If you try to change how you think about the operation, you may find that you’re actually looking forward to the procedure instead of dreading it.
- Voice Your Concerns– It’s usually helpful to talk out any concerns you have before the surgery day. If they are procedure-related, be sure to bring them up to your care team well in advance. If they are recovery-related, start taking some steps ahead of time to make your recovery a bit easier. If you’re concerned about rides to appointments, caring for your surgical site or getting around your home, have a conversation with friends or family so that these concerns can be managed well in advance. The sooner you address potential concerns, the more peace of mind you’ll have heading into your operation.
- Set Goals – Finally, many people feel less stressed about a surgical operation if they set some recovery goals and challenge themselves to meet or exceed these goals. Working with a physical therapist before an operation can help you develop some realistic goals and a tentative plan for achieving them once your operation is complete. Surgery should be able to help you regain some independence and physical function, so come in with the mindset that you’re going to achieve the recovery goals you set for yourself, and the operation itself will feel less intimidating.
For assistance preparing for an operation or recovering once the surgery is complete, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.