It’s perfectly normal to feel apprehensive before an upcoming operation. Whether your procedure is needed or it’s purely for aesthetic purposes, it likely comes with some risks and those undergoing surgery for the first time may be particularly nervous.
Managing this anxiety can go a long way to improving their overall experience. If this is a position you currently find yourself in, you’ve come to the right place. Throughout this article, we’ll go over a few ways you can best prepare your body and mind for upcoming surgery.
Understanding Pre-Surgery Anxiety
Start by trying to work out what it is you are nervous about, this will help you rationalise any thoughts. Pre-op nerves differ from patient to patient; some people get nervous about the pain, while others worry about the result not going according to plan.
It can help to research stats about your operation or fears. You will likely find that the chance of something going wrong is far smaller than you are imagining in your mind. Similarly, you will probably find that any side effects of surgery are minor, unlike the drastic consequences that you are replaying in your mind.
Common consequences of surgery include bruising, swelling and feeling fatigued. Any more major side effects should be outlined to you prior to your operation.
Stress Reduction Techniques
One of the best ways to reduce stress before an operation is to turn to physical activity to help take your mind off things. This could be as simple as taking yourself for a walk around your local park or running a half marathon. Aside from acting as a distraction while exercising, studies show that exercise helps to reduce stress. If you’re struggling to sleep as a result of pre-operation nerves, exercise can also help with this too.
In fact, leading a healthier lifestyle in general in the buildup to an operation is one of the best ways to reduce stress. This includes eating healthy, avoiding alcohol and stopping smoking. All of these things can be linked to more positive mental wellbeing, which better prepares you for an operation.
Alongside these techniques, taking time to regulate your breathing and clear your mind is a proven strategy for reducing stress. This could include meditating in the morning or carrying out breathwork exercises whenever you feel operation jitters coming to the forefront of your mind.
Finally, lay out a preparation checklist. It sounds simple, but making sure you have everything can eliminate the stress of forgetting something. What you need is dependent on your operation. For example, at UK Aesthetic, patients are required to stay overnight after a breast augmentation in Manchester. Common things you may need to pack before an operation include:
- Paperwork
- Clean clothes
- Toiletries
- Snacks
- Entertainment devices
Professional Support
If you have tried to reduce your anxiety to no avail, it may be worth considering professional support. Start by contacting your surgeon or clinic; they’ll be able to reassure you and point you in the right direction should you require further support. If you do need some form of therapy for your anxiety, techniques such as CBT and DBT are amongst the most common.