How to prepare for surgery - The Hippocratic Post

How should you to prepare for surgery? Surgery is a medical marvel – one which benefits greatly from modern technology, but which has endured as a fundamental medical practice for hundreds upon hundreds of years. Routine as surgery is – with over six million on the waiting list for elective operations at the moment – it can still be a nerve-wracking time for patients-in-waiting.

Do Your Research

The first part of any surgery preparations should always be research. Fear, nerves and anxiety are natural things to feel before any kind of surgical intervention, but the root cause for some of these feelings can be removed – or at least, ameliorated – by looking into exactly what’s involved in your upcoming procedure. If you’re opting for an elective or cosmetic procedure, there will still be risks, but those risks may be somewhat minimal in comparison to more involved emergency procedures. Still, there will be specific techniques and tools associated with the specific procedure you are undergoing – which can help to know before you start inpatient proceedings.

Keep Healthy

Surgery is a major undertaking, and one that fundamentally requires the short-term wounding of the body in order to achieve wider goals. Whatever the reasons for your surgery, it is important that your body is in the best place to receive it. This way, you are better placed to heal and recover, as well as withstand the surgery itself.

There are a few ways in which you can keep yourself healthy prior to your surgery. Keeping up a regular exercise regimen can ensure your heart stays strong, while a vitamin-positive diet can keep you well-nourished up to your surgery date. You may also need to follow some specific instructions from your doctor or surgeon regarding pre-surgery preparations, whether fasting or avoiding water for a period of time beforehand.

Talk!

Surgery can feel like an isolating experience, even if you are surrounded by loved ones. There is a lot of stigma still associated with opening up about mental health in any capacity, whether specific fears or an endemic condition – but opening up to family and friends can make all the difference when it comes to your readiness for surgery.

Talking can also be extremely useful when it comes to your medical team. Letting your doctor or surgeon know about specific issues or fears beforehand can give them room to assuage you, and also make potential accommodations for your own comfort beforehand.

Prepare for Recovery

Post-operation recovery is instrumental to the success of the operation itself, and should be made as comfortable for you as it possibly can be. Before your operation, you should make sure to have everything ready for when you return from hospital. You’ll likely be warned against strenuous exercise, so you should sort some advance provisions out to make your life easier; make sure you have enough food for a couple of weeks, and wash some bedding so you have plenty spare for your recovery period.