Surgery can be scary for anyone. Even if it’s a routine procedure like getting your appendix taken out, it doesn’t make going under the knife any less intimidating. It’s always a little scary because surgery is somewhat unpredictable, and the recovery process can be long and arduous. However, we have some tips to get you ready for any kind of operation and some essential information you should know before getting wheeled into the operation room.
Keep reading and you’ll feel prepared for surgery and at ease in no time!
What you can do before surgery
- Prepare your body: Are you as healthy as you can possibly be? If not, take some steps to get yourself to a healthier level, both physically and mentally. This not only helps you recover faster from surgery, but it can also help push you toward lifelong healthy habits. Before the procedure, make sure to keep the healthy habit tips below in mind:
- Be active: Get out and exercise – whether that means swimming, biking, or just walking. Try to make sure it’s a low impact exercise so that you’re not aggravating any injuries you may have before your surgery.
- Eat well: Your body needs every advantage possible before going into surgery. Provide it with all the nutrients it needs to heal by eating a healthy, balanced diet.
- Stop smoking: While it’s not good for your health at any point, the effects of smoking can be especially complex during surgery and post-surgery. It can negatively affect how your body reacts to anesthesia and prolong your recovery period.
- Get your health insurance in order: The last you want to happen is to wake up from surgery faced with piles of unexpected medical bills. Before you have surgery, be certain that you know exactly what your insurance is covering before the surgery. Not only will it give you peace of mind, it will also give you time to save up money should you have to pay for any portion of the surgery costs. You’ll also want to see what is covered in terms of after-care like any physical therapy appointments and follow-up appointments.
- Prepare your body: Much like keeping healthy habits can help your recovery, you might want to consider adding a cream like arnica before surgery to aid your healing process.
- Prepare your home: Don’t forget about prepping your home before you undergo surgery. Make sure that your bedroom is outfitted with any special pillows you may need to recover in a comfortable position. If you won’t be able to cook, consider getting a fully-cooked meal subscription delivered to your door. Or, just ask friends and family to pitch in for a few weeks while you recover. Make certain that you have a place for all of the necessary medications you need within arm’s length. Bottom line: your bedroom or wherever you’re spending your recovery should be peaceful and promote your healing process.
Things to consider before the surgery
- Is your doctor qualified? It’s important to ensure that the surgeons that are performing your operation are qualified to do so. Ask the appropriate medical advisors about their medical education and experience.
- Is the hospital accredited and licensed? Appropriate certifications and accreditations are crucial to making sure you get the care you deserve. Here are some to look for:
- The Joint Commission
- Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)
- American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAASF)
- Who’s going to provide the anesthesia? Anesthesia is important for your surgery. A physician anesthesiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in it along with pain management and critical care medicine.
Takeaways
Getting surgery is never fun, even if it ends up helping you increase your quality of life in the long run. Plus, if you’re older or have poor health, going under anesthesia can be a little scary. However, by taking steps to prepare yourself for your operation, you can feel more at peace.
Make sure you’re as healthy as possible so you give your body a leg up during the recovery process. In addition, do your due diligence when you’re researching who’s doing your surgery and where the surgery is going to take place. With these tips, you’ll be recovered and back to your normal life in no time.