How to fight the fear of surgery?
Maybe your doctor tells you that you need surgery, or maybe you ask for it yourself. Regardless of how you got to that point, any type of medical procedure is associated with a certain level of anxiety, and surgery is at the top of the list.
If you learn how to overcome your fear of surgery, you can be sure that everything will go more smoothly and easily. Going into surgery with high morale will positively affect the surgery and recovery period.
Overcoming Fear of Surgery
“Trust” is the key word in combating your fears. If you trust your surgeon and yourself, you are more than halfway there. Most fear comes from loss of control and the unknown.
Knowing that you will not remember the time you are under anesthesia can be the cause of fear of surgery. The possibility of complications during surgery is also another common source of fear.
If you trust your doctor’s experience and training, you will focus on the additional quality of life that you will gain from the surgery, rather than the sources of fear.
To build this trust, share all your concerns and questions with your doctor. The more you communicate, the better you will feel.
Tips to Prepare Well and Overcome Fear of Surgery
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle as early as possible. Make sure you eat healthy foods, especially vegetables and fruits. This will reduce inflammation and improve your overall health. Also, ask your doctor for exercise recommendations to follow. If you are a smoker; QUIT ASAP. Smoking slows down tissue growth, slows recovery, and increases your risk of complications.
- Talk to your doctor about your concerns and learn what to expect before, during, and after your surgery. Your surgeon should provide you with a thorough guide for the entire process, from testing to discharge. Awareness means less fear.
- Talk to family and friends about your fears about surgery. If possible, plan your recovery schedule with a friend or professional trainer.
- Even before surgery, you will have to spend some time in an unfamiliar environment, and the constant waiting can increase anxiety. By reading a book or listening to your favorite music, try to occupy as much time as possible. There are many studies that show that music can relieve anxiety.
- Talk to as many people as possible on the hospital staff. Sharing your questions with the team who know how you feel will definitely help you cope with stress.
- No matter what the goal is, having goals is a great way to stay motivated. Make a list of rewards for the postoperative period and inform your loved ones about the list.
Fear health problems, not surgery
Modern surgery is based on centuries-old experience and innovative technological improvements. The surgery you have scheduled is to add value and quality to your life. So, simply let the health problem be your problem. real, not the surgery.
Moreover, surgeons have gone through many years of education and their best reward is to get you back on your feet as quickly as possible. Whenever there is one, they always offer less invasive options.
Call us for your fear of surgery
We are a team of professionals providing top-notch general surgery in Turkey, including obesity surgery, oncological surgery, plastic surgery and hair transplantation.
We serve each of our patients with one-on-one communication and accompany you all the way to a better and quality life.
So, if you are afraid of surgery, you cannot cope on your own, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer all your questions.