Effective Ways to Overcome Pre-Surgery Anxiousness

You’ve gone your whole life without ever once undergoing surgery. In fact, your perpetually good health has become the envy of friends and family members alike. However, you’ve recently been informed that you require a minor operation. While this procedure isn’t serious by any means, it does entail being put under anesthesia and going under the knife. Since virtually everyone you know has had surgery at some point, it’s no surprise that the people in your inner circle aren’t particularly worried. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for you. In your mind, the prospect of surgery is downright terrifying.

Ever since you were a child, you’ve had an intense fear of surgical procedures. The mere thought of being anesthetized and cut open has always filled you with an immense sense of dread. For better or worse, there’s no getting around this operation. Unfortunately, you can’t seem to shake the prevalent sense of anxiety that’s hounded you ever since you received the news. The fact of the matter is that worrying will change nothing. One way or another, you’re going to undergo this operation, so it’s in your best interest to quell your anxiousness. When looking for ways to overcome pre-surgery anxiety, consider the following methods.

Discuss Risks with Your Doctor

Many people with surgery-related anxiety are afraid of something going wrong during their operations. While there’s always a small risk that something unexpected may occur, the odds are overwhelmingly stacked in most patients’ favor. Should you require further reassurance, sit down with your doctor to discuss the risks associated with the operation you’ll soon undergo. Chances are she’ll be able to provide you with an abundance of favorable statistics and offer professional insight into why this operation is both safe and necessary. For good measure, you may want to schedule a special consultation with the doctor(s) who will be performing the operation.

Seek Out the Comfort of Loved Ones

Going into a hospital or surgery center by oneself can be very frightening. This is made worse by the fact that most people don’t associate medical facilities with good things. Luckily, you can save yourself a great deal of anxiety by having several friends or family members accompany you to the hospital on the day of your operation. Knowing that familiar faces will be waiting for you when you come out of surgery will serve as a comfort as you prepare for the operation.

Talk to a Therapist

If your fear of surgery has become too stressful to live with, you’d be well-served by talking to a good therapist. When shopping around for the right one, look for a therapist who has extensive experience counseling people with deep-seated fears. With the help of insightful conversations and EMDR exercises, you’ll come to understand the root of the fear and begin taking steps to abolish it. Your therapist might also be able to point you in the direction of a support group that caters to people with longstanding fears.

Undergoing surgery for the first time can be scary, especially if you’ve managed to avoid having it well into adulthood. Even if the operation you need is considered minor, the idea of being forcefully put to sleep and cut open is understandably disquieting. If you’re determined to conquer your fear of surgery, remember to discuss risk factors with your doctor, seek out the support of loved ones and, if need be, undergo therapy.

About the Author: Gina Daniels is an independent web designer who lives and works in St. Petersburg, Florida. Last year, when her doctor recommended that she undergo bariatric surgery, Gina enlisted the services of the skilled surgeons at Bay Surgical Specialists.

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