Go into surgery cool, calm and collected

If you’ve ever had surgery, you know it isn’t exactly a pleasant experience. Yet it’s at this incredibly anxious time when it helps to be as relaxed as possible. Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to ease your anxiety level.

If possible, meet with your anesthesiologist prior to surgery to ask any questions. These men and women play a critical role in the operating room, there’s nothing wrong with asking for information to ease your concerns.

At that time, you should be able to dispel fears that you may be having regarding the surgery. These fears sometimes include:

• Questions about the surgery
• Worry about the outcome
• Concern over your family’s well being
• Uncertainties over the procedure
• Fear of death

Plan ahead to help you feel as prepared as possible. With the details of your treatment and recovery lined up, it will be far easier to keep your blood pressure low. Some of these details might include any surgical instructions, notifying your surgeon of pre-existing conditions and whether you need to avoid eating or drinking 24 hours before the surgery.

If you are one of thousands of people getting ready for surgery sometime soon, keep these tips in mind and go into the O.R. cool, calm and collected. The more prepared you are, the less stressful the process will be.