Physical Wellness: Surgery Prep

Whether it’s an outpatient procedure or a lengthy hospital stay, preparing for a procedure is the best way to ensure a successful outcome.

Planning ahead means taking care of your physical and mental health, learning as much as you can about the procedure and what you have to do to prepare yourself, your family and your home for your recovery.

Preparing Your Body

Eating healthy foods and beverages, not smoking and getting enough exercise are all things you should do all the time but it becomes even more important if you are preparing for surgery. As soon as you discover that a surgery is eminent it’s time to take inventory on your physical health and mental wellness. Here’s some of the action steps you can take today:

1. Quit smoking. It can lead to serious problems every day. If you are having surgery it can be a serious risk for anesthesia and impede your recovery by decreasing your body’s ability to heal. Start to quit today with resources from the CDC…
2. Boost your immune system. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, lean sources of protein, nutrient dense foods and avoid processed foods. What it means to Eat Healthy.
3. Get plenty of Exercise. If you are active keep it up. Some say you should “train like an athlete” two weeks prior to your surgery. If you haven’t been exercising be sure to consult your physician/surgeon prior to starting a new program.
4. Stay healthy! Wear a high-quality mask indoors. Yes, even if there are no emergency protocols in affect. Wearing a mask when you are around others, or in crowded spaces has been proven to protect you from illness.
5. Sleep Well. Being well rested is always important and even more so before a procedure. Sleep deprivation is considered a stress factor and studies have shown that fatigue may contribute to postoperative pain.

Preparing Your Mind

Being mentally prepared means understanding the procedure, managing stress, thinking positively and getting all of your questions and concerns answered.

• Understand your procedure. You’d think that I would recommend “Googling” but I don’t. The best way to understand your procedure is to ask your care/surgical team for resources. Most reputable healthcare organizations will have online tools for you to use. Don’t scare yourself with the videos and unverified opinions on the internet.
• Managing stress. Stress manifests itself physically in your body. Finding ways to manage, or better, eliminate stress will set you up for a successful procedure and recovery.
• Practice visualization and imaging techniques. Relaxation exercises, deep-breathing and positive thinking will contribute to a successful surgery. Studies by the National Institutes of Health and the Cleveland Clinic have shown that guided imagery may significantly reduce stress and anxiety before and after surgical and medical procedures. In addition guided imagery has proven to help people: Dramatically decrease pain and the need for pain medication. Decrease side effects and complications of medical procedures. Here are 3 podcasts I’ll be using for my surgery:
  • Preparing for a Successful Surgery Intro
  • Successful Surgery Guided Imagery
  • Affirmations for a Successful Surgery

Preparing for Recovery

A fast and successful recovery after surgery depends on the type of procedure you have. The #1 most important thing is to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and keep your follow-up appointments. What you can do is prepare yourself, your home and your family for what comes next.
Some basic rules are to:

• Prepare your home.
  – Consider bathing, dressing, sleeping, lounging and physical therapy considerations
• Get plenty of rest.
• Move around without overdoing it.
• Eat a nutrient-dense diet.
• Follow all rehabilitation and therapy instructions

Here are some other things you can do to aid your recovery:

“…for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow.” – Harriet Martineau