Everyone is going to experience surgery at some point in their lives. It’s been reported that there are at least 48 million surgeries that happen in the US every year. Studies have also shown that the average American experiences at least nine surgical procedures in their lifetime. Some of these surgeries are minor and not necessarily in-patient surgical procedures. Nonetheless, that’s a lot of surgery done on just an individual person.
Having surgery doesn’t mean that you’re unhealthy. Most of the surgeries are done as a prevention technique for diseases. Some surgeries are even meant to make you look better, like plastic surgery. If it’s your first time, it’s okay to feel afraid. Many thoughts might be entering your head, like what if your surgery fails, and that’s okay!
Surgery can be quite a scary experience. However, there are some ways you can prepare yourself for surgery, so you wouldn’t be so afraid once you’re lying down in the operation room. But first, let’s answer a couple of questions.
Will I Feel Pain During the Procedure?
This question depends entirely on the surgery being done on you. Some surgical procedures require anesthesia simply because they don’t want you to be moving around during the surgery. There are also different kinds of anesthesia. There’s the anesthesia that mainly numbs your bodily senses while the surgery happens, while there’s the anesthesia that knocks you out cold. Your surgeon will be choosing the kind of anesthesia being used on you for your procedure. There is a 99% chance that you will not feel any pain during your surgery.
What Are The Chances that the Surgery Would Fail?
Once again, this question entirely depends on the surgical procedure being done on you. Complicated surgeries such as craniectomy and back surgeries have a high chance of failing because of their complex nature. However, these don’t necessarily lead to fatalities. Chances are, if you’re undergoing a complicated surgery and it fails, you wouldn’t die from it. However, many people don’t undergo such complicated surgeries as the ones mentioned above. It’s likely that the surgery done to you is safe and has a low failure rate.
Preparation Before Surgery
Aside from the recommendations stated by your surgeon before your surgery, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself for your surgery. You must try these things if it’s your first time.
Prepare Physically
First of all, your body needs to be prepared for the surgery itself. This means eating the right food and drinking enough liquids to keep yourself healthy. Avoid foods that are high in cholesterol and sugar, as this might affect your blood levels during the surgery. You should also avoid any food that is discouraged by your surgeon.
You should also try exercising unless your surgeon tells you not to do so. Exercising can help with the circulation of the blood. It can also help you get fit and ready for the surgery that is about to happen. If you’re overweight or obese, you should consider losing some weight before the surgery happens unless this is discouraged by your surgeon. Losing weight can help reduce the fat lumps that may cover some of your organs during surgery. This can help your surgeon do the procedure a lot faster.
Prepare Mentally
After preparing yourself physically for the procedure, it’s time for you to prepare mentally. Your mind should be clear of fears the moment you enter the operation room. You can do this by doing some breathing exercises.
Breathing exercises are known for reducing anxiety. They are also good mindfulness exercises that can prevent mental illnesses. You should start your breathing exercises months or days before your surgery. This can help you practice for when the surgery does happen. Reducing your anxiety levels before the surgery can help you prepare both body and mind for the procedure to come. It will also help you take away the worries that might have accumulated in your mind.
Before your surgery, you should start thinking positively. Thinking positively or being optimistic can help you wash your worries away. Consider thinking about the life you can have after the surgery happens. You are living more healthily and happily. You’re spending more time with your friends and people you love. Optimism can help you accept the procedure that will happen, which will help you acknowledge that you will live a better life after the procedure.
Surgeries, no matter their type, are scary. However, it is up to us to be either consumed by this fear or completely eradicate it. Being able to face our fears can make the surgical procedure much safer. It can also help us live a better life after surgery. So it’s time for you to prepare yourself for your upcoming surgery through these listed ways.
